Like the path of a labyrinth, my life's journey has unfolded in a circuitous pattern. Now at midlife it seems that in many ways I have "arrived back where I started from, to find that I know the place for the first time." (T.S. Eliot) There has been no linear trajectory, but rather a spiral of many transformations.
As a child, I loved to make things. In my heart and soul I knew I was an artist, but as I grew into adulthood I was urged to do something more “practical” with my life. My first career was in nursing, where I confronted the existential questions of life regarding suffering, death, and healing. I embarked upon a quest for answers to these questions by studying theology, and received a Master of Divinity degree. I then pursued ordination, but as a Catholic woman, that door was closed to me with no apparent hope of opening. After years of struggle within “the system," I surrendered to its reality. While on a silent retreat trying to figure out what to do with my life, I read an article about “priesthood” in indigenous cultures, where the roles of artist/priest/healer coalesced. It was an “aha” moment for me when I returned to the original call of my soul as a young child to be the artist that I always knew myself to be.
I threw caution to the wind and began making art. Family and friends began telling me “You should try to sell this stuff.” So I went the route of trying to become a commercial success as an artist. I owned and operated my own gallery in downtown Binghamton, NY for 7 years. During the course of those years, people who came into my gallery often remarked, “I wish I had your creativity.” It saddened me to hear these words, because I know that creativity is our birthright as human beings. I discovered a passion for inspiring others through classes and workshops, closed my gallery in September 2006, and opened a teaching studio in an old barn on my property.
At “The Art Barn Studio”, I invite women to experience the joy of their own creativity. Through my own experience I know that art-making and creative expression are accessible to all human beings. Engaging in creative expression is fun and relaxing, increases self-esteem, and can foster self-exploration, personal growth, and optimal well-being. The classes and workshops I offer encourage participants to work intuitively and to trust the creative process. No previous artistic skills are required. The Art Barn Studio is filled to the brim with materials awaiting playful exploration. As a soulful and seasoned guide, I offer presence and support for the creative journey.
My personal journey with art-making has led me to a place of deep encounter, and has become a contemplative spiritual practice that is integral to my being.
Art as spiritual practice is rooted in a surrender of personal ego and willfulness. The person embracing the path of art relinquishes her desire to craft an immediate solution, and instead opens herself to create the space where new and previously unconscious possibilities can arise. Expression itself is transformation; this is the message that art brings.
My work has evolved to encompass transformational art experiences for women in small circles, workshops and retreats. A particular area of personal interest is applying creativity to facilitate resilience during times of grief, loss, and transition. I also work with individuals by providing a sacred container for soul tending with contemplative creativity and expressive arts.
A a life-long learner I have pursued trainings and certifications in a variety of disciplines to enhance my practice, including Expressive Arts, SoulCollage, Spiritual Direction, Interspiritual Counseling, Grief Counseling and Creative Grief Support, Working with the Labyrinth, and Creative Depth Coaching.
I threw caution to the wind and began making art. Family and friends began telling me “You should try to sell this stuff.” So I went the route of trying to become a commercial success as an artist. I owned and operated my own gallery in downtown Binghamton, NY for 7 years. During the course of those years, people who came into my gallery often remarked, “I wish I had your creativity.” It saddened me to hear these words, because I know that creativity is our birthright as human beings. I discovered a passion for inspiring others through classes and workshops, closed my gallery in September 2006, and opened a teaching studio in an old barn on my property.
At “The Art Barn Studio”, I invite women to experience the joy of their own creativity. Through my own experience I know that art-making and creative expression are accessible to all human beings. Engaging in creative expression is fun and relaxing, increases self-esteem, and can foster self-exploration, personal growth, and optimal well-being. The classes and workshops I offer encourage participants to work intuitively and to trust the creative process. No previous artistic skills are required. The Art Barn Studio is filled to the brim with materials awaiting playful exploration. As a soulful and seasoned guide, I offer presence and support for the creative journey.
My personal journey with art-making has led me to a place of deep encounter, and has become a contemplative spiritual practice that is integral to my being.
Art as spiritual practice is rooted in a surrender of personal ego and willfulness. The person embracing the path of art relinquishes her desire to craft an immediate solution, and instead opens herself to create the space where new and previously unconscious possibilities can arise. Expression itself is transformation; this is the message that art brings.
My work has evolved to encompass transformational art experiences for women in small circles, workshops and retreats. A particular area of personal interest is applying creativity to facilitate resilience during times of grief, loss, and transition. I also work with individuals by providing a sacred container for soul tending with contemplative creativity and expressive arts.
A a life-long learner I have pursued trainings and certifications in a variety of disciplines to enhance my practice, including Expressive Arts, SoulCollage, Spiritual Direction, Interspiritual Counseling, Grief Counseling and Creative Grief Support, Working with the Labyrinth, and Creative Depth Coaching.
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Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about my offerings.
To view Yvonne's Curriculum Vitae click here
To view Yvonne's painting series Contemporary Icons of the Feminine Divine click here
To view Yvonne's Curriculum Vitae click here
To view Yvonne's painting series Contemporary Icons of the Feminine Divine click here