10 Questions with Sara Dürst

Sara Dürst has transitioned from a background in economics and corporate work to pursue a more fulfilling path as an artist and teacher, creating a peaceful, creative space surrounded by nature.

Her journey into art has been one of personal growth and exploration, inspired by an interest in self-empowerment and mental health. Through art and creativity, Sara has come to appreciate the power of flow and the joy of creative expression.

She has experimented with different artistic practices, including ceramics, digital art, and upcycling, while also learning more about art therapy. Sara finds great joy in creating with others and valuing the connections that art can foster. This year, she began hosting small co-creating events in nature, bringing people together simply and meaningfully. Her journey is guided by a curiosity to learn and grow, and she is always open to new ideas and perspectives to inspire her work.

www.saraduerst.com | @whaattheart

INTERVIEW

Please let’s talk about your background. What inspired your transition from economics and corporate life to the art practice?

I am not full-time artist, I do very different things and I dont want to dedicate my time to one thing alone. As a child, I could spend hours immersed in creative activities—drawing, painting, and inventing stories. Creativity comes naturally in childhood, but as we grow older, it often gets buried under life’s responsibilities. In this process, I found myself followinga conventional path—starting work in an office, studying International Management, and trying to survive the daily monotony of corporate life.
It became apparent that this path wasn’t going to bring me joy. I entered a phase of self-discovery, experimenting with different things to understand what truly sparked my passion and purpose. During this transformative period, I rediscovered my love for art and creativity. After long workdays, I could hardly wait to get home to paint. However, it took me a while to confidently call myself an artist.
Today, my life is a blend of creative and social work. I write books focused on mental health and art therapy, work on AI-related projects, teach languages, and host creative events. My art practice itself is multifaceted—I create digital artworks, design prints and tote bags. Furthermore, I like to create art with upcycled materials, which I see as a playground for experimentation. Ultimately, my journey has led me to embrace a life rich in diversity and creativity—one that feels authentic to who I am.

Breaking Mental Barriers, Digital Art, 2024 © Sara Dürst

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue art, and what inspired you to start creating?

The journey back to art was not a single moment of realization but rather a gradual process during a phase of self-discovery. As I explored myself and my passions, I rediscovered art as an activity that deeply resonated with me. Creating art put me easily into a flow state—a feeling of total immersion and calm. It gave me immense joy, helped me to relax, and became an essential part of my personal growth. The real change happened when I stopped planning and let my imagination guide my creations. From then on, I was hooked—not just on the act of making art but on the entire process of improving, experimenting, and feeling at ease with life.

How Did Málaga Influence Your Creative Process and Art?

Málaga has had a profound impact on my creative journey and the way I approach art. I truly believe that life—whether we realize it or not—always leaves its mark on what we create.
For me, moving to Málaga was a transformative experience. It marked an entirely new chapter in my life, filled with fresh impressions, challenges, and opportunities. One of the most significant changes was building my own tiny house from an old caravan, surrounded by nature. This space has become a hub for creativity and community, where I host Flow Zoneevents—co-creating workshops designed to help people connect, experiment, and tap into their flow state. My vision is to create a space where individuals can immerse themselves in creativity, form meaningful connections, and leave with a sense of joy and accomplishment.
This shift to Málaga also brought me closer to hands-on craftsmanship. Coming from a corporate background, I had never even held a drill before, let alone worked with other tools. Now, I find myself integrating these skills into my art. This has expanded my practice beyond the canvas and acrylics I used in Switzerland. Here, I work with a wide range of media, from collage, watercolor, and ceramics to digital art and upcycled materials. I’m particularly fascinated by upcycling - giving new life to the old and forgotten. Recently, I’ve started making gypsum sculptures, often embedding waste materials within them to create decorative pieces.

Creator of the Loop, Digital Art, 2022 © Sara Dürst

What Drew You to Upcycling Art?

My journey into upcycling art began during the process of building my tiny house with my friend Alex. Much of the house was constructed using upcycled materials—like a large window we found at a waste disposal site or the decorative wall made entirely from repurposed pallets. This experience opened my eyes to the creative possibilities of reusing materials. What once seemed like a simple chair or piece of wood suddenly became something with countless potential applications.
This hands-on experience not only sparked my interest but also made me more mindful of sustainability. Using upcycled materials means reducing waste, avoiding unnecessary production, and saving costs—all while challenging myself creatively. It’s rewarding to look at an item and think, What else can this become? It encourages thinking outside the box and finding beauty in the overlooked or discarded.

Can you describe the process of transforming discarded materials into vibrant artworks?

The process is quite dynamic and depends on the material at hand. Sometimes, I have a clear vision inspired by something I’ve seen or experienced or an idea I want to interpret in my own way. Other times, it’s more improvised—I’ll look at the materials I’ve collected and let them guide me. One technique I love is working with gypsum, as it allows me to shape and solidify discarded materials easily. For example, I can take a base made from waste, coat it with gypsum, and create a stable form. Once the structure is complete, I am adding vibrant colors, patterns, and textures. This step is very intuitive for me. I enjoy combining colors, playful shapes, and unexpected details. It’s all about embracing creativity and giving the piece a joyful, lively energy.
It all starts with being aware that waste can be art. I don’t save every discarded item, but I’ve trained myself to see potential in everyday objects, whether it’s part of a chair, a cardboard box, or leftover packaging.

How do themes like mental health appear in your work?

Mental Health themes appear in my work in various ways, sometimes subtly and sometimes with a clear, intentional message. Often, the creative process itself is a form of personal mental health care for me—a way to find balance, reflect, and recharge. At other times, I create art with a specific purpose, conveying messages that I hope will resonate with and positively influence others. I explore these themes deeper in my art therapy books, where the focus is on fostering creativity, self-reflection, emotional well-being, and personal growth. These works combine creative exercises with therapeutic practices, aiming to create a supportive space for others to connect with themselves.
For me, creating art, books and the FlowZone space, while fostering the connection between creativity, mental health, and personal development is essential. Because when we are healthier, more fulfilled, and more creative, we have more energy to radiate positivity outward—and I believe that is an important step towards a better world.

What inspired you to create the Colorful Reflections coloring book, and what impact do you hope it has?

The idea for creating my first coloring book came from a combination of personal interest and curiosity. While exploring art therapy, I thought, “What if we could combine coloring with personal reflection and inner work?” That idea sparked a process that felt very natural and fulfilling, almost as if the book had written itself.
The first book blends art with reflection, allowing users to color while engaging in personal growth. My second book takes this further, focusing on themes like inner child work, identifying beliefs and strengths, and visualizing the future. It incorporates art therapy-inspired exercises that I originally developed for workshops, but they’re also designed for personal use.
Interestingly, before creating my first book, I didn’t actively use coloring books. I would often doodle patterns, color them, and experiment with textures and colors—essentially doing what a coloring book offers. Once I had my owncoloring book, I began coloring more intentionally and realized even more how therapeutic it is. Coloring is calming, satisfying, and an excellent tool to shift focus away from overthinking.
Coloring is widely used in art therapy, particularly to help individuals engage in an activity that grounds them and fosters a sense of accomplishment. It’s an affordable and accessible form of self-therapy that anyone can do, whether while listening to a favorite podcast, music, or simply enjoying a moment of quiet. One aspect I particularly love is the social potential of coloring. Imagine sitting with friends in a park, each person coloring their own pages while chatting and connecting.
I hope that in the future, coloring becomes an even bigger part of people’s daily lives, regardless of age. It’s such a simple yet impactful activity that can bring joy and relaxation. My wish is to inspire more people to embrace coloring as a tool for both creativity and self-care.

FlowZone, Digital Art, 2024 © Sara Dürst

What has been your most rewarding experience in hosting co-creating sessions in nature?

For me, the most rewarding moments are those where a collective flow emerges. While I deeply value the personal, introspective act of creating art alone, I find that sharing the creative process with others amplifies its magic. Art is something meant to be shared, and when a group collectively enters a flow state, it’s one of the most beautiful and fulfilling feelings I’ve experienced. Nature also plays a vital role in these sessions. Being surrounded by the elements—fresh air, the sound of birds, or the sight of the sea—helps participants connect more deeply with themselves and their creativity.
Another aspect I cherish is the freedom to organize and adapt these events. Over time, I’ve realized how much joy I derive from inventing new concepts, experimenting with formats, and providing spaces where participants can explore different mediums. I also enjoy collaborating with others to plan these events, as it allows me to bring fresh ideas to life while continuously learning and growing through the process. Every event is an opportunity to try something new.
Now, as we enter the winter pause, I’m taking time to reflect and brainstorm new themes for spring and summer. This cyclical process of creating, pausing, and reimagining is deeply inspiring. And if you ever find yourself in Málaga, I’d love for you to join one of our sessions—it’s truly an experience worth sharing!

What are your aspirations for the future of your art and teaching practice?

I don’t have any specific or rigid aspirations. For me, the most important thing is to enjoy what I’m doing. When I feel that sense of joy, I naturally become self-motivated and inspired to create and share.
Over time, I’ve gained clarity about what brings me into the flow state, and my aspiration is to spend as much time as possible in that state. This means prioritizing activities that bring me joy, experimenting with new ideas, and being open to where the process takes me.
Another key part of my practice is learning and growing along the way. I want to continue improving my skills, exploring new techniques, and deepening my understanding of both art, teaching and other areas. At the same time, I aim to maintain a sense of flexibility and freedom—to follow the flow and adapt as inspiration comes.
Ultimately, my aspiration is to let joy and curiosity guide my path, whether it’s creating art, organizing workshops, or teaching others. I believe that staying true to this approach will naturally lead to meaningful and fulfilling experiences.

Dolce far niente, Digital Art, 2024 © Sara Dürst

And lastly, where do you see yourself and your work in five years from now?

I don’t have a strict five-year plan, but I work with goals and focus points that guide me in the short term while allowing room for flexibility and discovery. For the upcoming year, my focus is on experimenting further with creativity events and dedicating more time to making my work accessible. Alongside this, I aim to keep creating art in a flow state, as that’swhere I find the most fulfillment.
My approach to the future is about having clear focus points while remaining flexible and open to the unexpected. I believe that if we stay too rigidly attached to a specific goal, we might miss out on other wonderful opportunities that come our way. By enjoying the process and embracing the unknown, I trust that the results—both in life and in art—will not only be satisfying but also surprising in the best possible way.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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