In Intuition Painting®, we try to avoid familiar symbols — hearts, stars, trees, butterflies, and so on — not because they’re wrong, but because they often come from habit rather than intuition. The question is: Are you making a pretty picture, or are you letting brush, color, and emotion lead the way?

Just as a writer avoids clichés to find fresh language, we paint beyond cultural symbols to discover our own imagery and meaning. That said, if a familiar image appears, I never tell someone not to use it — and sometimes I use one too. Maybe it really is their intuition, or maybe it’s simply a placeholder when they feel stuck. In the first of the four sessions in a workshop, that’s common. By the second or third, the painter often paints over it or transforms it into something unexpected.

We had a beautiful 2-Day Intuition Painting® Workshop at the new Juniper Moon Artisan Market in Paradise, Utah, held during the luminous Harvest Moon on October 6 & 7.

What a gift to share the magic of this process with the loveliest people — souls willing to dive deep, trust their intuition, and let the colors lead the way. Each brushstroke became a whisper from the soul… each painting, a mirror of transformation.

Mapping Myth to Creativity: Back in 2023, when I attended my first Intuition Painting® Workshop in Joshua Tree, CA with founder Montine Blank, I realized that the wheel of the process mirrored the archetypal paths of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey (the external quest) and Maureen Murdock’s Heroine’s Journey (the inner transformation). Wanting to understand this more deeply, I mapped the stages together—interweaving mythic storytelling with the creative flow of Intuition Painting®—to show how the process guides us through both an outward adventure and an inward awakening.

While I wasn’t raised with art, creativity, or painting being a focus—or even really encouraged—I fell in love with it late in life. It arrived quietly at first, as a coping skill for burnout, frustration, trauma, and the emotional unraveling that followed my divorce, almost 20 years ago. What began as a way to survive became something sacred. Now, painting is part of my everyday life, and I honestly can’t imagine life without it.

I couldn’t sleep last night and was scrolling on Instagram. I became fascinated with a post that someone had submitted a question to AI and received a profound answer…especially interesting because it mirrors what we do in intuition painting. I wanted to see if I got the same answer so I asked ChatGPT this: “Based on all the great psychologists, What are the 5 things everyone must understand about life or they risk failing at it?” It was basically the same answer. The interesting thing I realized is the relationship to what we do in intuition painting, read on:

Aceso: Goddess of the Process of Healing

I paint a lot now. It’s become a daily meditation—a quiet return to myself through color, texture, and breath. As I painted this image of a medicine woman, she spoke to me of her power. She is Aceso, Goddess of the process of healing. Not of sudden miracles. Not of quick fixes. But of the gentle, sacred unfolding—one breath, one choice, one brushstroke at a time.

The magic of Intuition Painting® lies in helping you access and trust your intuition—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a full-body knowing.

Through the act of painting without rules or judgment, we quiet the thinking mind and awaken the deeper wisdom held in the head, heart, and gut—our three inner “brains.”

Did you know you have three brains?

I am facilitating Intuition Painting: Painting Through Grief over the next couple months at my home for anyone that may be interested in this unique experience.

This is a gentle, creative workshop for healing through color and expression. No painting experience needed—just an open heart.

I finally did it!

After years of painting women, words, and quiet truths…
I turned my art into something you can hold in your hands—
Introducing the Soul Journey: Secret Selves Oracle Cards

Each card is a doorway—
into the unseen parts of ourselves,
the whispers we often ignore,
the wisdom we carry in our bones.

Art. Quotes. Journal prompts.
Designed to stir your spirit and spark reflection.

They’re linked in my bio, straight from the printer to you.
I hope they guide you as they’ve guided me.

For sale directly from the printer: Soul Journey: Secret Selves Oracle Cards

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria

The First Ever Badass Women’s Retreat!
A celebration of friendship, relaxation, and the unstoppable power of women—especially our creativity!

This beautiful, soul-filling day was hosted by a dear friend who generously provided the most delicious food. I had the joy of guiding a Neurographic Art session and Red Thread Ceremony—they may not always go perfectly, but they always spark deep connection, shared laughter, and learning. That’s the beauty of showing up, creating together, and growing through it all.

Other incredible women stepped in to offer yoga, wine bottle flower arranging, sound healing, and journaling. The result? A truly inspiring day filled with sisterhood, soul care, and spontaneous joy.

Will there be another one?
Time will tell.
But for now, I’m simply grateful to have been part of something so special—with such lovely, radiant women.

“A circle of women may just be the most powerful force known to humanity. If you have one, embrace it. If you need one, seek it. If you find one, for the love of all that is good and holy, dive in. Hold on. Love it up. Get Naked. Let them see you. Let them hold you. Let your reluctant tears fall. Let yourself rise fierce and love gentle. You will be changed. The very fabric of your being will be altered by this, if you allow it. Please, please allow it.”
Jeanette LeBlanc

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria

As part of my Intuition Painting® Facilitator Training that ends next month, I was assigned a presentation on one of the books we read. Mine was the incredible book ART HEALS: HOW CREATIVITY CURES THE SOUL by Shaun McNiff.

First, I created these fun cards with my own art on one side and a favorite quote from each chapter on the other…to be used like oracle cards: choose, read, and contemplate the value of art in healing and growth. Then I picked a favorite word from each card to create an Instagram post of a word cloud on a paint brush…so apropos! This has been such a fun project, training, and learning experience to add to my repertoire of education and life lessons through this school of life. I invite you to join me in healing through art, best life lesson ever!

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria

Painting from the Source:by Aviva Gold

Life, Paint, & Passion: by Michele Cassou & Stewart Cubley

The Creative Connection: By Natalie Rogers

Art is a Way of Knowing: by Pat Allen

Art Heals: by Shaun McNiff

Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert

The Creative Act - Rick Rubin

Point Zero: by Michele Cassou

Atlas of the Heart - Brené brown

The Artists Way - Julia Cameron

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria

Three of my lovely cousins joined me to experience my first Intuition Painting Retreat, it was such a lovely experience to share with them this very transformative art process. We also spent time at the beach, eating yummy food, and celebrated a birthday with a cocktail from the very cool Raised by Wolves speakeasy. My dear friend also soothed us with her beautiful sound healing bowls. I can't wait to share this experience again.

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria