Meet Cansu Bulgu | Well Being Artist & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cansu Bulgu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cansu, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creativity pursued me : ) I just got out of the way! Meaning, I just allowed inspiration to manifest without any resistance or any expectations. One can say: “Love pulled me, and I followed.”

For example, what we now call “Sand Meditation” and “Sand Meditation Art” came through into this world from the depth of my being on the beaches of Kauai, Hawaii in 2010. I started creating, in the moment, this new, one-of-a-kind in-the-world art form and meditative experience – without any thought or pre-visualization. It was only one year after its conception that I showed it to another person. She had a very physical and energetic response to the Sand Meditation Art. That is when I realized that I needed to share the inspired creations with the world. Shortly thereafter, I bowed away from my tenured position in the information technology industry to devote myself fully, and Cansu∞Art™ began to take form in the world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
About Cansu∞Art™…

“Everything begins with me. Everything ends with me. Where do I begin? Where do I end?”

When we ask the question “Why am I here?”, we begin to realize that the journey is towards Self. Beginning with Self-Observation then Self-Inquiry followed by Self-Discovery then Self-Realization, Well Being in all aspects of life is realized by “Knowing Thyself.”

Cansu∞Art™ is a unique portal for Well Being, all created in the moment. The art forms within Cansu∞Art™ are companions on the journey towards Self. They may be large scale contemporary meditative art forms that can cover the entire wall, both interior and exterior, everyday objects such as homeware that you can hold and designs that make you smile or immersive experiences that open your perception and gently help you remember.

Currently, Cansu∞Art™ is shared in the following forms: Sand Meditation Experience (one-on-one or group, in person and online), Contemporary Meditative Unique Fine Art (Sand Meditation Art and Art Through Meditation with the Elements on specially crafted metal panels with exhibit mount and inset metal frame in the back), Clay Art Boutique (Ceramics), Soultoons™ (Cartoons) and Poems.

In response to the question “How do you create from stillness beyond thought or feeling?” I also created “Conscious Creation Workshops” where I teach this practical skill. In this 3-hour workshop, I combine meditation and an art technique where the participants first learn the practical tools to generate the flow state and then have the direct experience of bringing about a physical creation from this state of consciousness.

The Journey…
Over the last 14 years, by listening deeply and surrendering to the clear pull of love every step of the way, I have had the honor of witnessing the gentle and profound effect this unique art of presence has had on people from all over the world and from all backgrounds.

Contemporary Meditative Sand Art won awards unbeknownst to me, and was featured in local newspapers, in a magazine and in a TV segment. At the very beginning of this journey, I had my first solo show two weeks after I showed Sand Meditation Art to a venue owner over a casual conversation. Similarly, I was invited to be a guest artist at a fine art gallery in Laguna Beach. The first Cansu∞Art™ Gallery opened in the heart of Malibu and enjoyed 2100sqft. MGM Resorts International became our first Fortune 500 client.

Most recently, Cansu∞Art™ Gallery opened in Del Amo Fashion Center and enjoyed 8000sqft. Located in the high-end area of the mall adjacent to Nordstrom and across from an interior design company, Cansu∞Art™ Gallery served as a fine art gallery and a retreat center in an unexpected place for two years. The gallery was listed as a museum in the city guide due to its awe-inspiring presence and ability to attract visitors from all over the world that came from LAX airport. You can see some photos of it on my website.

I continue to travel globally and offer Sand Meditation in groups and one-on-one as well as online. For example, I was recently in the Maldives, Croatia and Türkiye.

I recently launched “Clay Art Boutique” with 9 different styles of unique ceramics homeware. For that, I had to learn how to work with Earth, first. Working with Sand is natural to me, as if it is something I had always known and just happened to remember. Earth required a full year of dedication to get to where I am now and I am still evolving the work. My vision for Clay Art Boutique is that its designs would be licensed to large organizations who have the manufacturing and distribution capacity to bring them into each home in the world.

We are all part of a very vast picture. We each hold a piece of the puzzle of life. Collaborating with strategic partners, organizations and inspired individuals is very natural to and welcome within Cansu∞Art™.

For example, I designed and created “The Heart Bowl™” where at the bottom of the bowl is a 3D heart. The bowl shape is very feminine which represents the primordial nourishing creative energy. The heart at the bottom of the bowl just makes you smile. You notice it as you place the food inside and as you eat. It reveals itself again when you finish your food and makes you smile. You might even smile while washing the dishes! Imagine for a moment, such a simple design can elevate your state of consciousness and make you smile during a very common and repetitive daily activity, completely changing your experience of food intake. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had access to it?

We have a very broad audience that love and acquire Cansu∞Art™. It is unique, personal and it has universal appeal. It is both mysterious and familiar. For example, sometimes, a Sand Meditation participant may, also, commission a Personally Aligned (aka custom) Sand Meditation Art for themselves or purchase the art or the Sand Meditation session as a gift.

I have had several clients that acquired multiple artworks at once. They just go together so well! I see them like musical notes or ingredients of a delightfully nourishing meal. You can select what you like and generate your very own music or a feast for the soul!

As for overcoming challenges and useful advice I can share…
One of the best ways to handle a challenge is to always hold a higher vision. That way, you can rise above what currently is within focus and shift your focus on what you want to create. I always see potential and possibilities. I enjoy clarity. If something does not flow, I let go. If something has fulfilled its purpose, I let go. Some seeds that are planted now may blossom perhaps even hundreds of years from now. We just do what we do to the best of our ability and let go of the outcome.

Always doing your very best is key in everything we do. How we do one thing is how we do everything. From creation to packaging to shipping, Cansu∞Art™ is created with infinite love and handled with reverence every step of the way. We use the highest quality materials. We only create from the heart and in the moment. I sometimes use “we” when I describe what I do because I always feel that the creation is beyond me as a person.

When you are bringing something new into the world or bringing a new way of looking at something that exists, it takes time. Especially, if it is something like Sand Meditation, which is described as “hard to put in words” by several content participants. Cansu∞Art™ continues to be an invitation so that everyone that is inspired or intrigued by it can choose to have their own direct experience with it. Word of mouth is always a great way to share the work. Also, many participants and clients generously share testimonials. Having said that your experience will be as unique as you are so direct experience is always best.

Therefore, my invitation to you is…
Please visit our website for a brief introduction at www.cansuart.com. Perhaps you are an individual looking for unique contemporary meditative art for your home, or looking for a gift to celebrate a special occasion such as a wedding, a birthday or an anniversary. You may be someone interested in self-care, expanding your awareness and deepening your understanding. Or you may be an interior designer, an architect or a visionary exploring design elements to complement your vision. Please feel free to reach out to Cansu∞Art™. We would love to hear from you and assist you in every way we can!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would first ask what they were interested in experiencing and suggest an itinerary aligned with their interest. I would also consider when they were visiting as there are several wonderful seasonal events and activities that California has to offer. For a nature lover and a road tripper, driving up or down the Pacific Coast Highway and stopping at different cities would be a delightful adventure. One can at least see Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Laguna Beach within that time frame. For beach hopping along the Pacific Ocean, I would suggest packing up some gourmet sandwiches, some fruit and nuts and grab your thermos filled with your choice of tea and add some rose buds. Have a picnic on the beach. Watch the surfers, the waves, the dolphins, the pelicans and the seagulls. Leave all expectations behind and just enjoy the ride!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am grateful to everyone with whom I have come in contact throughout my life, whether in person or through witnessing their creations in some form. Some people or some creations, naturally, have a greater magnitude of impact than some others, and the impact varies at different times of our lives. If we have crossed paths, there has been a gift exchange in some form. Therefore, a single dedication can only be made to “Life” itself for it always brings the right person at the right time and at the right place into our life.

Website: https://www.cansuart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cansubulgu/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cansubulgu/

Other: https://www.instagram.com/cansuartgallery/

Image Credits
Images courtesy of Cansu Bulgu, Well Being Artist & Founder, from the artist’s private collection.