Magic happened in Atascadero, CA a couple of weeks ago. Seriously.

I spent six days at the Art of Sisterhood Retreat and it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! That week with my art sisters far exceeded my expectations. It was so much more than art for me. It was about human connection, empathy, love, laughter, truth, and courage. It was about sharing our hearts and our art. It was healing and therapeutic. It was hilarious and fun. It was tearful and vulnerable. It was magic.

The thought of teaching a lesson in person for the first time made my hands shake and my stomach turn. I gave myself huge anxiety just thinking about it. But then, when the day came (11/11 – an angel number and divine sign!), these 25 beautiful women trusted me and allowed me to be my authentic self in my perfectly imperfect way. They made me feel safe, without judgement. We cried; we laughed; we hugged; we shared; we connected; we “sister’d”.

During my lesson, we tapped into our inner child and then created meaningful, soulful art together. Everyone was so genuinely supportive of one another; loving and kind. It felt like I was witnessing magic unfold.

Thank you ladies for sharing your hearts and your art with me. I am eternally grateful for the privilege you bestowed upon me. The stories your shared and the heart and soul you poured into your art-making during my lesson will stay with me forever. It was an experience I will treasure always.

To my fellow instructors – Kara Bullock, Denise Braun, Deanna Wilson, Tiare Smith, Ivy Newport, Sara Burch, Lauren Rudolph, and Jennifer Bonneteau – thank you for embracing me with nothing but love and light the whole way through and for believing in me more than I believed in myself. You will never know how much you helped me heal and grow.

With Love and Courage,

Jackie