They don’t teach this in art school: how to paint with your ears perked forward and your hooves steady on the ground. And yet, a group of animals (horses, a dog, and even a cat) are redefining not just what art is, but how it feels.
At HeartWorks, led by Tricia Sybersma, these Animal Artists aren’t guided by ego or intellect, but by electromagnetic energy; energy that’s not only visible in their vibrant paintings, but measurable in the calming effect it has on humans. Bridging the gap between biology and expression, this animal-led creative movement is making a bold case for how art, intention, and science can merge into something far more than decoration.
The Heart as a Frequency, Not Just a Muscle
Let’s start with what we can measure. According to research from the HeartMath Institute and the PTSD Association of Canada, a horse’s heart emits an electromagnetic field up to five times larger than a human’s. That field isn’t inert; it shifts, pulses, and interacts with human biology in profound ways. Research from the HeartMath Institute shows that when humans stand near horses, their heart rate variability, a key marker of emotional regulation, begins to synchronize. This is more than empathy; it’s energetic coherence.
So what happens when that same heart energy is applied with creative intention? HeartWorks invites its Animal Artists to paint in rhythm with their natural state; unrushed, aligned, and grounded. The result? Artwork that many describe as calming, centering, and deeply resonant, even before they know it was created by an animal.
“People often say they feel something shift before they even realize who made the painting,” says Tricia Sybersma, founder of HeartWorks and a certified HeartMath® Trainer. “It’s less about the image and more about the frequency it carries.”
Beyond Art: Energy That Lives With You
What sets HeartWorks apart isn’t just the idea of animals painting, it’s the purpose behind it. Each piece is created around a specific intention, such as “Presence,” “Exhale,” and “Held,” (available online starting November 1). That intention guides both the process and the final product. The art then becomes a functional artifact: something you can wear, display, or journal with as a subtle reminder to stay in alignment.
It’s a form of energetic companionship that’s both tactile and accessible. Scarves carry intention like warmth. Socks become daily grounding tools. A painted journal cover becomes a space not just for words, but for presence.
In a world where wellness is often framed through long routines or expensive tech, the simplicity of this approach is part of its charm. “We wanted to offer something that doesn’t ask for more of your time,” Sybersma explains. “It just meets you where you are.”
A Dialogue Between Biology and Intuition
What’s most striking about HeartWorks is how it dismantles the supposed divide between science and spirituality. Biofeedback tools and electromagnetic measurements sit comfortably next to intuitive painting and energy work. The art is real. The frequency is measurable. And the impact? Often described as a feeling before it becomes a thought.
This fusion appeals to those who crave evidence without sacrificing wonder. People aren’t looking for more data; they’re looking for a deeper connection. When animals lead the creative process, it’s not about decoding meaning; it’s about experiencing resonance.
For those who want to explore what kind of energy they might benefit from, HeartWorks offers a brief Intention Quiz, a reflective, non-clinical way to tap into what your nervous system might already know.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In a world increasingly mediated by screens and algorithms, we’re starved for the natural. Art that holds a pulse (literally) has a way of cutting through the noise. And when that art is created by beings who operate from instinct and heart coherence, it feels less like consumption and more like communion.
HeartWorks’ paintings aren’t just pieces to hang on a wall. They’re reminders: quiet, beautiful signals to slow down, breathe, and reorient. And because they come from animals who have known hardship, healing, and stillness, there’s a kind of lived wisdom embedded in the process.
Whether you’re walking through grief, navigating reinvention, or simply craving a deeper connection to your inner rhythm, the right painting or even a pair of socks can become more than an accessory. It can become an anchor.
Art, after all, doesn’t have to speak loudly to speak deeply. Sometimes, it only needs a hoof, a warm muzzle, and a heartbeat.
