You’ve probably seen a thousand definitions of Ikigai floating around online (go ahead—fall down that rabbit hole with Alice!). But here in downtown Cary, North Carolina, Ikigai Studios & Gallery is my happy place.
It’s a non-traditional art gallery and studio dedicated to one simple mission:
Creating sustainable joy.
I’m Tiki McIntyre—painter, creator, joy-chaser. I opened Ikigai Studios in June 2024 after outgrowing my third-floor art space (sharing it with four cats, one big dog, and a very busy family). Now I have room to breathe, paint, and welcome others into the magic.
At Ikigai Studios, I paint and sell my own artwork, but that’s just the beginning. This space is all about collaboration, creativity, and community.
We host all kinds of workshops and events for all ages—because art should be fun, not formal. From Final Friday art nights (as part of the Cary Art Loop) to spontaneous pop-ups and surprise guests, you never quite know what you’ll find here… and that’s part of the joy!
My personal ikigai is simple: painting and helping people reconnect with their joie de vivre—that spark that makes life feel full and fun.
We offer workshops and experiences where you can create, laugh, and maybe even rediscover a part of yourself. Think:
🎨 Date Night Paint Nights
🎤 Dolly, Taylor & Elvis birthday bashes
🎉 Track-out & birthday parties for kids
💍 Wedding & rehearsal dinner live painting
👩💼 Team-building with a twist
Every painting is custom, every event is one-of-a-kind, and every moment is made with love.
Whether you stop by to buy art that brings you joy or join us for a workshop to create your own—I can’t wait to see you soon.
My hope is that you come visit & BUY ART THAT BRINGS YOU JOY!!! I also want to invite you to sign up for a workshop and enjoy yourself while working with Art to find out WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY in life! We host and produce events with a vibe for fun with a lean toward making the world a better place every single day. Some amazing events we do include Date Night-Paint Night, Dolly Parton/Taylor Swift/ Elvis’s Birthday Party, Team building events, Track-Outs, Youth Art Birthday Parties, Wedding/ Rehearsal Dinner -Live Painting Events….all with a fun vibe, personalized for you! We do off-site events too. Just ask!
No matter what you decide to buy-it will be custom and no 2 paintings will ever be the same!
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Subscribe for (hopefully) weekly doses of colorful art, insider perks, and first dibs on fresh paintings and workshops!
Subscribe for (hopefully) weekly doses of colorful art, insider perks, and first dibs on fresh paintings and workshops!
©2025 ikigai studios & gallery cary
