Intuitive Painting with Melissa

I believe that Melissa is doing very meaningful work by bringing these Intuitive Painting classes to the world. A wonderfully gentle and nonjudgmental guide, she infuses each class with depth and profound connection to the elements, Earth, Spirit, color, and most importantly ourselves. Her process is unlike any other art classes I have attended. Melissa’s techniques have nurtured my developing a personal relationship with watercolor painting that I never dreamed could happen for me, and I have experienced many breakthroughs to my creativity. If you’ve ever felt intimidated to try painting, this is a very inclusive space for all levels and abilities to safely explore painting with curiosity and freedom. I have so much gratitude for Melissa and her class offerings that I highly recommend them to everyone. - D. B.

I am so happy that you are interested in my Intuitive Painting course. I have been painting for most of my life in an intuitive way. I never attended art school, and preferred to cultivate my own language of expression. Though I admire many artists and their work, I feel it's important to connect with our own inner vision and ways of expressing that. This is why I felt encouraged to create this course; to help you find your own way of expressing in a creative way!

Watercolors became my favorite medium when I was in college (even though I painted with them when I was a little girl too). I took an incredible class called The Illustrated Journal of the Heart, Art and Science, which took my journaling to a whole new level. My teacher at the time integrated a watercoloring practice into our journal work, and I fell in love with the way they were so easy to take with me EVERYWHERE!

I loved how the water element was present within the medium, and they seemed to help me access my feelings and thus the creative expression of them. The way that color could be used to fill in my sketches and words made the pages come alive; my journals became keepsakes instead of just records of the day to day. Art infused my life in a big way!

Since that point twenty years ago, I have been painting with watercolors and journaling nearly every day. These tools have become my fundamental form of meditation, of staying centered in life. They help me to process and express things going on for me, within and without. They are a constant companion, and have accompanied me on journeys around the world. 

I also studied bodywork and somatic therapies for many years, and was a professional bodyworker for a long time. Weaving art creation with awareness of the body has become a natural part of my process, and is a unique aspect of my classes. Art and writing can be profound tools of connection to our inner experience. They can help us express and process things we have held in the body for a long time. They can also be a bridge to our guides, ancestors, and inner self/soul. We can learn so much through these creative tools of expression!

My goal for these Intuitive Painting classes, as well as other classes and rituals that I offer, is to provide a safe and nurturing space for you to feel free to explore your own creative voice. We all have wounds that we carry around our connection with creativity, and art can be one of those tender places. I see the watercolors as a very playful and intuitive tool, to help you get back into the flow of your unique expression. I provide a multitude of inspirations and invitations for you to access different ways to connect; often, once we open the floodgates of our creativity, we will find it's positive impact in other areas of our life as well!

I am interested in magic, serendipity, synchronicity, the supportive unfoldment of our destinies. Being in the creative stream assists in creating the atmosphere for these things to occur more and more. I hope you'll join me on the journey of discovery. It is a true joy to be a beacon of support on your creative path!

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Testimonials:

It was incredibly special to experience your growth and inspiration during the class- that is worth so much more that something prescripted. I loved the organic nature of your writing and class leading. At the same time, I really appreciated getting a glimpse of the depth of your experience and wisdom: your knowledge of Vedic astrology and your artistic ability- to be able to paint while leading class- wow! You created such a special and encouraging space for us to play. Essentially- thank you so very much for offering such a rich experience! -C.W.

If the world seems gray then it may be time to invite the clouds to part and allow the healing rays of sunshine fall upon your face. Melissa’s style of teaching and sharing in the intuitive painting course helped to create a container for creativity to flow. Meditative. Illuminating. Nourishing. A gift that keeps on giving. If you could use an excuse to slow down and let the sun in, this course as good an excuse as any. 🌞 - Eric T.

Taking this class was such a wonderful gift to myself and my creativity. Melissa is a gentle, nurturing and encouraging teacher/leader, and I looked forward to Thursday evenings and the time our group would spend together in practice. I felt like my paints and brushes were so happy I joined this class as well -- it had been too long since we'd spent time together, and we learned new ways of being together over the course of these six weeks. Melissa's teaching style had the subject of each class building on the last, and I gained a lot of different perspectives on ways to incorporate daily art practice into my life. It was so, so, so, so lovely to spend the evening in contemplation and painting with these women! --Yanna

I have experienced several painting classes with Melissa and one thing that occurs for me every single time is that I drop into a deeper state of allowing myself to paint (create) from a space of connection to something much deeper than what my eyes are seeing, or even what my mind is envisioning.  A new and different entry point into my own creative process has opened, and it originates from a space of deep intuition, introspection, and creating just  for the sake of creating.There is a liberation of the creative flow. Melissa's presence brings a lightness, a joy, an ease.. an effortless permission.. to truly bypass the thinking mind and drop into the space beyond, and connect to the endless inspiration of all that exists. I have witnessed that everyone in the classes I have attended all seem to be able to tap into this experience on some level and channel a bit of this energy that Melissa embodies in order to expand into this creative space in their own unique way. The absolute best thing is you truly do not do it for the end result (although you may be pleasantly surprised at how lovely it is), you do it for the experience of creating and the joy and unexpected gifts it brings. Melissa is born to inspire and she truly embodies this gift. She is one of my favorite artists, not only because I love her style, but I deeply honor and appreciate that she embodies her dharma to share her inspiration with others. -C. B. 

 It has been so revitalizing and healing to paint in this way. I have painted more in the past week than I have in the past 4 years. It’s helping me process a lot of emotion and rekindle the energizing joy of creativity. Thank you once again, Melissa for providing this opportunity to reconnect with my artistic spirit! I’m so excited to see what 5 more weeks will bring forth! ❤️‍🔥🦋🙏🌀💠🐉🌈🌸🌬🪞🪄🧚🏼‍♀️🕸🎨⚡️-B. E. 

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Melissa offers this work out of the joy of her heart, and is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to treat, diagnose or be a substitute for Professional therapeutic council. Please do consult a Professional Therapist for such support.