Finding a Sacred Space Through AI Art: How an Art Therapist Uses AI Art for Reflection, Creativity, and Wellbeing
Some artists begin with a subject. Monika Seelmann begins with a feeling.
Known on NightCafe as @vGoghsMuse / EvenWolvesDream, Monika is an art therapist, occupational therapist, and mixed-media artist from southwest Germany. Her work moves through memory, spirituality, nature, inner worlds, and the stories we carry with us.
She joined NightCafe on August 15, 2024, after discovering it by chance. Her first creation immediately opened up a new way to work with the many ideas already living in her imagination.
“AI was opening up creative possibilities for my diverse inspirations—possibilities I could never have achieved by hand.”
Creativity as a daily practice
For Monika, making art is less about chasing a perfect result and more about making room for what is already there.
She compares her first creation of the day to Julia Cameron’s “morning pages”: a gentle, spontaneous ritual that begins before the day gets too busy. It is a way of staying connected to dreams, memories, questions, and feelings that may not yet have words.
She is drawn to mixed media, surreal imagery, double exposures, fairy-tale elements, and unexpected combinations. “Every image tells a story,” she says. “It is my personal story; as you look at it, you will find your own.”
That spirit also shapes how she approaches NightCafe Daily Challenges. They are part of her morning routine—a creative companion to her coffee, and a prompt to look beyond whatever may be occupying her mind that day.
“I love Daily Challenges to start my day,” Monika says. “They take me beyond my personal issues.”
Staying true to your “True North”
Monika’s advice for new creators is simple: stay true to yourself.
She calls that inner compass her “True North.” Rather than creating only for trends, votes, or rankings, she encourages artists to notice what feels meaningful to them and find ways to express it.
Her favorite challenges are often the open-ended ones, where there is room for a more personal interpretation. In her work, technical tools support the idea—but they are never the whole story.
“For me personally, it’s less about technical finesse and more about soulful, emotional expression.”
Monika’s Creator Takeover: My Sacred Space
On August 15, 2026, Monika is hosting the NightCafe Daily Challenge with a theme that reflects her creative practice: My Sacred Space.
The challenge invites creators to make an image of a place that feels restorative, meaningful, or deeply their own. It could be a childhood garden, a quiet reading corner, a place for reflection, or an entirely imagined sanctuary.
For Monika, “sacred space” is not about one particular style of image. It is about creating somewhere that offers strength, resilience, calm, or a sense of belonging.
“The concept of ‘Sacred Space’ has been with me for many years. I chose it as inspiration to imagine and create a personal space where one can find strength and resilience in these challenging times.”
Whether you create with a familiar memory or invent a new world, the invitation is to focus on the feeling of the place: its light, color, details, and atmosphere.
Try Monika’s Templates
Looking for a starting point? Monika has shared three NightCafe Templates inspired by her imaginative, layered approach. They are a helpful way to explore an idea while still making it your own.
A Template is simply a creative starting point—you can change the subject, mood, colors, and details until the result feels like yours.
Explore more of Monika’s work
Monika’s work is an invitation to pause, look inward, and make space for the stories that matter to us.
Explore a few of her featured creations:
Ready to create your own sacred space? Join NightCafe and enter Monika’s Daily Challenge.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Monika Seelmann?
Monika Seelmann is a German art therapist, occupational therapist, mixed-media artist, and NightCafe creator known as @vGoghsMuse / EvenWolvesDream. Her art explores storytelling, mindfulness, imagination, and emotional expression.
What is Monika Seelmann’s NightCafe Daily Challenge theme?
Her Creator Takeover theme is My Sacred Space. It asks creators to imagine a real, remembered, spiritual, or invented place that brings them peace, strength, inspiration, or belonging.
What NightCafe feature does Monika use most?
Monika especially enjoys the NightCafe Daily Challenges, which she uses as a regular morning creative practice.
How can I create art in Monika’s style?
You can begin with one of Monika’s Templates, then make the image personal through your own memories, favorite places, color choices, and details. Her approach emphasizes emotional atmosphere and storytelling over technical perfection.