BEGIN AGAIN…

Friends, as I greet a fresh year with you, I have news that is quite vulnerable...

When I started this blog and website ten years ago, I committed to writing openly about the threads of my life that were interwoven in my art—a decision to no longer hide behind the shame, fear, and silence that were deeply entrenched in my mind. Authentic sharing has emboldened me to create more freely from the core experience of my life, which we each must navigate as we evolve. It has brought many meaningful relationships and opportunities and continues to bring new ones forged through connections with our shared humanity and love of art. So much goodness!

My journey of late has taken me offline for chunks of time, and I deeply appreciate your patience as I continue to make my way through a challenging landscape.

I stand in a disorienting present—one which I did not see coming and never imagined. After 26 years of marriage with my spouse, it has abruptly ended. Nothing can prepare for the upending of a life deeply inhabited and loved. The past eight months have beckoned the deepest soul-searching of my life and will draw upon every resource I can gather as I move forward with my boys and their dad in our vastly restructured family.

As with any heartfelt loss, we face what we do not think we can bear, and we adapt. Our resilience grows as we push to find our way, ready or not. As always, nature and art bring healing, and beloveds and guides continue to support us through these ruptured months of coming to terms with what is transpiring. We work to remember the goodness and joys that have been part of the fabric of our family and to know they remain real in the midst of this grief.

I recognize the profound gift of this support, knowing that so many people do this reckoning alone and with very few resources. Asking for help and speaking up for myself is a return to previous life teachings that call for still greater embodiment and practice. It is a deep dive into that which needs further strengthening, cleansing, and renewal—a lifelong journey...

As I move forward, I am grateful to have a dedicated office/studio space in Lexington, KY, for individuals and groups that are interested in working with their own creative energy to empower and bring more joy to their own lives.

This light-filled space also allows me to work alongside (separately, of course) four other inspiring and experienced artists and to offer open studios, holiday in-person events, and private studio visits—all new and exciting opportunities! The last 3 years of dedicated training in Sensorimotor Art Therapy from the Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy in Australia (while simultaneously becoming a Certified Facilitator in SoulCollage®️) have given me tools that profoundly changed my life and continue to power me through this time.

It is thrilling to offer them to you now!

Having just completed my final certification training, Healing Trauma for Children in Clay Field Therapy, I can now offer an enlivening and unusual dynamo of therapeutic practices—Clay Field for both adults and children, Guided Drawing, and SoulCollage®️ . This is perfectly timed, as I support myself and our family. (Note: All modalities are therapeutic, rather than "therapy"—gentle and nonthreatening, built around felt sense safety (neurobiology-based!) and the strengthening of self.)

I have named my expressive arts practice “Inner Fire,” using these modalities to guide you to discover your own inner wisdom that is alive and waiting! To offer this work is a huge joy: I know firsthand the tremendous power these methods hold as they continue to impact my life 🔥✨🦋…

You can now conveniently find me in downtown Lexington (with ample off-street parking!) or work with me through Zoom from any location! 🫱 Reach out if you have questions and would like to learn more about what “Inner Fire” exploration might look like (HINT: it is freeing and unlike any inner work I have ever done!). I offer a 20-minute complimentary phone consultation to explore your questions (information on how to contact me on my new business card, below).

More than ever, I am grateful for your interest in and support for my art career and life path. Thank you for listening to me in this personal space. Your love and affirmation are precious gifts that deepen my commitment to living in alignment with my personal art practice and now nourishing others as they tap into their own creativity for growth, joy, and healing.

I wish you much love and hope in the coming year. May tenderness and tranquility surround you, and abundant energy power you on your journey.

Love, Michelle ❤️

(All images in my personal SoulCollage®️ cards were created from bits of imagery from various magazines; tremendous gratitude and credit go to the original artists who created them!)