My Story

Where I’ve Been

I have many memories of my tiny hands putting crayon to coloring book and scissors making crooked lines through colorful construction paper. One of the very first clear memories I have of being taken away in the creative process is sitting in the rocky area in front of my childhood home. The mean neighborhood boy had just tricked me into running across the rocks for a quarter, which of course he didn’t pay, and as I sat amongst those same rocks my little 6 year old hands started to move the smooth stones into simple patterns. I can still remember the soothing and peaceful feeling that arose as I cleared space and then carefully placed the stones.

My life was a dream of continuous creativity until 9 years ago when the process of forgetting who I am began. I had just closed my beloved creative arts center, The Blue Door, my marriage was crumbling and my son was struggling through a very dark time. I remember sitting on the curb outside The Blue Door with my best friend and with my head in my hands I declared it was time for me to get a “real” job. After that moment I quickly went to work full time at a therapeutic boarding school for adolescent girls. Those three years were some of the hardest and most inspiring of my career. I learned so much about my strength and received many gifts from a truly amazing mentor. I was able to guide the girls through the creative process to the deeper parts of themselves and was a grateful witness of deep healing, joy and profound love.

And yet… I believed that my creative self was sinking deeper into the dark recesses of my soul. She was still there though, just lost in the maze of responsibility, bills, broken relationships and pain.

My education up to that point included a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in transpersonal psychology (with an emphasis in expressive arts therapy).

My work up to that point included research psychology, facilitating workshops around self discovery, one on one counseling, a jewelry business and even a brief time as an owner of a boutique.

Nothing in those two areas prepared me for the 9 years.

During this section of the journey there were several very significant deaths, a painful divorce and work with women struggling through all kinds of addiction. And still I helped. I even used various forms of creative expression in my work with others. Even though I felt lost in the dry desert of my own despair I found a way to get up every day and walk alongside others. Very slowly something happened. As I accompanied these brave souls in their healing I helped myself. Gradually I started to remember who I am.

Who Am I Now?

It took surviving the most dysfunctional working environment I had ever encountered, falling in love with myself again, welcoming a hero into my life and experiencing a huge health scare to realize that the “Door” never really closed. I was never really lost. All paths lead to the soul. My life is a work of art. Art (in all of it’s glorious expressions) is the way. Art is a path to the soul.  

Where I’m Going

My mission remains the same:

1.     To support others on their journey of self discovery, healing and transformation.

2.     To share with others what I’ve discovered along the way.

3.     To hold the lantern of courage and inspiration on the darkest of nights.

4.     To pull out the map and compass when we lose our way.

5.     To celebrate at each milestone.

6.     To carry the banner of joy for each step of the way!