Something extraordinary happened last week at my Colorado art retreat.

Women came from all over the country to paint among the golden aspen leaves at peak fall color. They came expecting to learn mixed media techniques, explore the mountains, soak in hot springs under the stars.

But what unfolded was something none of us anticipated.

Watch the retreat video here →

In everyday life, we do not get to see inside a person. We maintain our social niceties, keep our pain private, present our best selves. But something different happened in this safe creative space we built together.

Women simply showed up as their whole selves—their joys and their sorrows, their victories and their losses, the parts of life that shaped them and the scars they carry.

These stories were shared naturally, woven into conversations as they spent time together and shared experiences. They weren’t burdens. Instead, they became part of the honest, open person walking around with a jar of paint in her hand.

Through the week, each one adventured into the land of canvas. The expression of their mind and heart melted with acrylic paints, collage papers, and gels.

They painted among each other, interspersed with hiking through golden aspen groves, eating scrumptious meals together, and evenings spent soaking in the hot springs under the Colorado sky.

This was more than a week about painting.

It was a week where a doorway opened and women were able to share their souls—who they were, honestly—and form new friendships.  With simply the ability to feel they could walk around as they truly were.

As a result, a great closeness was formed. The friendships and connections made during these few days felt unlike anything I’ve witnessed before.

I feel eternally grateful that in creating this art space, somehow this experience was facilitated.

And in the art lessons, each woman grew past her previous skin into a new one.

A wiser one. One that believed a little more in herself. One that saw there were more possibilities than she might previously have believed. One that discovered the world was a little less lonely than she thought it was.

This is what happens when women give themselves permission to create together. To be vulnerable together. To honor their creative calling in community.

If you’ve been putting off your art, waiting for the “right time” or thinking your creative dreams are frivolous—I want you to know:

Your art is not frivolous. Your creative voice matters. And you don’t have to walk this path alone.

With love & gratitude,
Kellie

P.S. The world becomes a little less lonely when we have the courage to share who we truly are. Your art is one way to do that. Don’t wait.