About Kathryn Costa

Hi, I’m Kathryn Costa, artist, author, astrologer, and guide for soulful and creative living.

My journey with mandalas began over 25 years ago, but it was during a season of deep grief that this sacred artform truly became my lifeline.

A year after my father passed away, I was still feeling numb, showing up for life, but disconnected. During a quiet visit with a friend in Colorado, I picked up a handmade journal and a set of watercolors. Those first gentle brushstrokes stirred something in me. I began drawing mandalas again. Five months later, my creativity was fully reawakened. I launched a challenge to create 100 mandalas in 100 days and invited my blog readers to join me.

That one inspired act led to a book deal for The Mandala Guidebook and opened a path that would go on to touch the lives of thousands around the world.

Mandalas became my sanctuary, a sacred circle where I could find peace, clarity, and steadiness during times of emotional intensity and life transition. Over the years, they have helped me move through grief, reconnect with joy, and develop a more compassionate relationship with my inner world. The mandala continues to offer a safe, spacious container for reflection, healing, and transformation.

As a certified astrologer, I have deepened my practice by exploring the rhythms of the moon, the wisdom of the zodiac, and the energetic centers of the chakras. Today, I blend these modalities to offer workshops, courses, retreats, and online content that support others in living more creative, connected, and soulful lives.

Through True North Arts, I share sacred tools and practices, from mandala making and moon journaling to intuitive astrology and creative healing.

Whether you are

  • Rekindling your creativity,
  • Seeking emotional or spiritual nourishment,
  • Exploring mandalas for the first time, or
  • Longing for connection to something deeper,

you are welcome here.

Let’s walk this path together, creating beauty, honoring the cycles, and living with heart.


Welcome to True North Arts, a space for you to:

There are beautiful new offerings on the horizon, and I’d love for you to be part of the journey. Stay connected by subscribing to my website or email newsletter.

May your mandala practice be a sanctuary.

With love, creativity, and warm squishy soul hugs,
Kathryn Costa

Short official bio:

Kathryn Costa is an artist, author, and astrologer whose work inspires creativity, self-discovery, and meaningful connection. She is the author of The Mandala Guidebook: How to Draw, Paint, and Color Expressive Mandala Art and has taught thousands of people around the world through workshops, online courses, YouTube videos, and retreats.

Since launching her creative journey online in 2008, Kathryn has connected with individuals across more than 175 countries through her personal storytelling, vibrant artwork, and transformational teaching style. Her workshops invite participants to quiet self-doubt, release fear, gain clarity, and reconnect with their inner wisdom through creative practice.

Kathryn’s approach combines art making, meditation, reflection, and compassionate self-inquiry to help people explore their creativity in an accessible and supportive way. Whether working with beginners or experienced artists, she encourages participants to trust the creative process and discover the joy, insight, and healing that can emerge through mandala making.

About the 100 Mandalas Challenge

In October 2014, Kathryn embarked on a transformative journey—the 100 Mandalas Challenge. Her goal was simple yet profound: to create 100 mandalas in 100 days. Along the way, she discovered how each mandala is a mirror, reflecting the artist’s thoughts, emotions, and stories in that moment. Kathryn invited her online community to join the challenge, sparking a global movement. Within a year, thousands of mandala enthusiasts from all corners of the world embraced the practice, making it an international sensation.

Kathryn’s exploration of mandala-making has revealed its deeper purpose beyond creating beautiful designs. It’s a deeply relaxing and healing practice that helps individuals navigate life’s challenges, including:

  • Coping with the loss of loved ones and processing grief
  • Managing depression and anxiety
  • Living with chronic illness or facing a difficult diagnosis
  • Healing from strained relationships
  • Transitioning through major life changes
  • Making significant decisions with clarity

Kathryn is also the author of the popular book, The Mandala Guidebook: How to Draw, Paint, and Color Mandalas (North Light Books). Packed with accessible projects, the book is a go-to resource for beginners and seasoned artists alike, offering guidance on everything from drawing mandalas to working with mixed media. It’s the perfect companion for anyone looking to dive into this expressive art form.

Kathryn lives in the picturesque landscapes of New England with her two beloved cats.

See: Publications, Trainings, Recognitions, and Interviews

“Kathryn’s retreat was life-changing for me as a teacher, mother, friend, artist, and spiritual seeker.”

JENNETH WALDEK
TEACHER, 30 YEARS