Healing Through Art and Community
Carlee Smith (34) from Randburg, Gauteng, has always believed in the power of healing through art and community. Through her beloved art studio, Studio by Red’s Imagery, Carlee’s mission is to help others rediscover joy, self-expression, and hope – one brushstroke at a time. But when a criminal drained her savings after stealing her phone, the very space she built to heal others suddenly faced closure.
Now, thanks to her cousin Kayla Smith and the incredible outpouring of community support through a crowdfunding campaign, Carlee is seeing her own lesson come full circle: that healing and hope are often born from connection.
Carlee and Kayla
A Dream Painted in Colour and Courage
For Carlee, The Studio by Red’s Imagery wasn’t just a business idea – it was a promise kept.
“The studio was born from a dream my grandmother and I once shared,” Carlee explains. “We wanted to create a space where creativity wasn’t reserved for artists, but open to everyone – a place where art could heal.”
That dream became a reality in Randburg, where Carlee transformed an empty space into a vibrant, inclusive haven for creatives of all ages. Her vision was to make art less about skill and more about freedom – from messy Splatter Room sessions to tranquil drawing classes and expressive workshops for moms and children.
“I wanted people to realise that creativity isn’t about talent, it’s about expression,” she says. “It’s about rediscovering that childlike joy of creating without fear or judgment.”
In just a year, The Studio by Red’s Imagery became a lifeline for hundreds. Artists, parents, children, and even people in recovery found in it a rare sense of belonging – a place where laughter and colour replaced the worries of the world, even just for a little while.
From Crisis to Community: When the Givers come together
But earlier this year, Carlee faced a devastating setback. When her phone was stolen, hackers gained access to her accounts and drained her savings – putting her studio’s future at risk.
Without hesitation, Carlee’s cousin Kayla Smith stepped in, launching a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy on October 10, 2025, titled “Help Keep The Studio Alive – A Home for Creatives.” The goal: R50,000 to cover operating costs while Carlee rebuilt.
“Carlee has given so much of herself to others,” Kayla shared. “This studio is more than four walls – it’s a home for creativity and connection. When she lost everything, we knew we had to rally behind her.”
In just weeks, the campaign has already raised R34,350 from 11 generous donors, proof of how deeply her work has touched lives.
For Carlee, that response has been nothing short of humbling.
“I was blown away,” she admits. “I always thought my community was small – just a handful of people who believed in what I do. But when this happened, I saw an army behind me. People fought for me when I couldn’t fight alone.”
Healing Through Colour, Connection, and Community
The studio’s heart beats strongest in its Splatter Room – a space where adults laugh like children, letting go of fear and perfectionism.
“People walk in afraid to be messy,” Carlee smiles, “and within minutes, they’re laughing, covered in paint, and rediscovering joy. That laughter gets me every time.”
But The Studio isn’t just about play – it’s about healing. From Addicts Having Coffee, a powerful podcast hosted by Toni Becker that found a home in Carlee’s space, to children overcoming emotional trauma through painting, the stories born within these walls are extraordinary.
Addicts Having Coffee, a powerful podcast hosted by Toni Becker
Eight-year-old art student Chelsea (name changed for privacy) joined The Studio during her parents’ divorce – a time filled with confusion and pain. Under Carlee’s gentle guidance, she found strength through art and even went on to win her school’s art competition two years in a row.
“Art became her escape,” shared Chelsea’s mom, Dr. Desrei Naidoo. “It gave her confidence, joy, and a place to belong. I have Carlee and The Studio to thank for that.”
Carlee’s compassion extends to every visitor, whether it’s a corporate professional seeking balance or someone in recovery rediscovering purpose. As Toni Becker describes it,
“Carlee’s studio is a real haven for healing. It’s calm, grounding, and alive with hope. Every guest who’s come here has felt safe and seen.”
Colouring the Future with Hope
Despite the hardship, Carlee continues to paint her story with resilience.
“I promised myself I’d never see the world as working against me,” she reflects. “Even when this happened, I chose to see it as a test of how deeply I wanted to live my purpose.”
She hopes that her journey – and the ongoing campaign – inspire others to take that first brave step toward healing or creativity.
“Healing doesn’t always start with big steps,” she says softly. “Sometimes, it starts with something simple – picking up a brush or trying something new. Creativity connects us, and connection saves lives.”
For Carlee, the dream remains the same: to keep The Studio’s doors open as a home for connection, colour, and creative courage. And thanks to her community – and strangers moved by her story – that dream is within reach once more.
Stand with Carlee
Carlee’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the power of art to unite people. Her journey reminds us that even in the darkest moments, creativity can be a light – and that communities thrive when they stand together.
To support Carlee, visit her BackaBuddy campaign link here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-keep-the-studio-alive-a-home-for-creatives
Together, we can help keep the colours of hope alive – one brushstroke, one act of kindness, and one donation at a time, so Carlee’s vision of healing through art and community continues to thrive.