When I was 37 years old, painting saved my life.

I discovered my inner artist late in life at the age of 37. (On a side note, it is NEVER TOO LATE!) It all started at a painting workshop in someone's home. Within 30 minutes, I knew I would paint for the rest of my life. I didn't realize then that I would do so professionally one day. At that time, I was at the beginning of some of the darkest and most challenging years of my life. Little did I know that art would save me. Over the next few years, as I dealt with tremendous loss and mysterious health issues—eventually diagnosed as chronic Lyme disease—that kept me from living the way I used to and uncertain if I wanted to live anymore, I kept turning to the canvas for reprieve. Read more about this time in my life on the blog here.

Painting allowed me to enter a meditative flow state, offering a temporary escape from the uncertainties of the future and relief from the physical and emotional pain I endured. Through art, I reconnected with my intuition; I discovered hope and a sense of purpose, while each brushstroke became a lifeline, guiding me through the darkness and helping me heal.

For years, I was a self-taught artist, and it was my place for healing. It was more than a hobby, but it was not my profession. I experimented, took workshops, and allowed myself to play with my art. Then, I decided to get more serious about my art and invested in training with the Milan Art Institute. I enrolled in the year-long Art Mastery program and was fortunate to have John Milan, a very successful artist, as my mentor. The training and the encouragement of loved ones gave me the confidence and skill (which I continue to develop) to pursue art professionally. It has been the best investment I have made in my art practice.

My art practice remains essential for my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

I have also trained and worked as a life coach for many years. My ability to heal and overcome challenges, along with my love of personal growth and helping others, inspired me to make a career out of it, or rather, because of it. I have worked with many individuals and couples, guiding them to gain clarity, self-trust and connection.

As an experienced life coach, I now combine my background in art and coaching to help others heal, reconnect with themselves and their intuition, and discover the tremendous therapeutic benefits of creativity. Through workshops and retreats, I use art as a powerful tool to guide others on their journeys of healing and growth, demonstrating that art is a vital part of overall wellness.