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.

The truth is, I’m still learning. I often feel like I’m in the early stages of understanding any of this. And yet, sharing what I’m learning feels vital—not just for me, but for a world that so desperately needs softness, presence, and healing. Still, I often wrestle with imposter feelings. Why would anyone listen to me? I have no formal expertise in this field. Yet, I continue—because this work doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence. Passion. A willingness to show up anyway.

Art became a lifeline after my divorce—but its importance didn’t stop there. The ripple effects of that separation still touch my family in deep, often unspoken ways. Relationships have been reshaped. Grief surfaces in surprising moments. There’s been healing, yes—but also distance, wounds, and longing that don’t have simple solutions. In the face of that, painting has helped me hold space for all of it: the beauty, the sorrow, the questions with no clear answers. On the canvas, I can breathe it out, feel it through, and sometimes even find meaning in the mess.

That’s the spirit of the two painting paths that have shaped my journey: Intuitive Painting and Intuition Painting®. Though their names are similar, they are different in form and lineage. Both have helped me reclaim parts of myself I didn’t even know I’d lost. And both deserve to be understood for what they truly offer.

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.

In a world that demands instant results, she whispers:

“Healing is not a straight line.
It is a spiral.
A slow becoming.
Trust the process.”

She offers us:

• Patience with our journey

• Compassion for our wounds

• Trust in daily rituals and small acts of care

Staying grounded in a crazy world doesn’t mean ignoring the chaos.

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.

This will be with a small group of 3-4 people and is a two-day workshop: 9 AM – 4 PM each day at my home in San Diego.

All supplies are included. The next two workshops are offered by donation only in place of a set fee.

Join the waitlist and I’ll contact you with the next available dates in July and August.

Tap the link in my Instagram bio to sign up, or send me a message under Contacts on my website if you have questions. Check out my website pages to learn more about me

and Intuition Painting.

From my soul journey to yours,

Maria

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