Clockwise from top left: Neil Gaiman, Albert Einstein, Rumi, Twyla Tharp, Lynda Barry, Jean-Michel Basquiat "Showing up for the work is the win that matters." - Julia Cameron "I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life." - Jean-Michel Basquiat "A painting is not a picture of an experience, but is the experience." - Mark Rothko "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." - Twyla Tharp “The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of.” - Leonardo Da...

When I was in my 20s, I was confused about my path, like so many young adults. I was figuring out how to weave my skills, interests, and values into a life that felt good, meant something, and paid the bills. My reliably intuitive Aunt Patty gave me The Artist’s Way , Julia Cameron’s seminal book about how to move through the blocks that prevent us from enjoying and expressing our creative energy. Cameron’s book lays out a 12-week program of creative recovery, which starts with 3 core...

The St. Johns Bridge , Portland, OR It's been a minute! My last blog post was back in October. 2025 has brought a lot of change to my life. Since January, I’ve been teaching psychology at Portland Community College. I love the job. And the job is difficult, in both predictable and surprising ways. My students come from all walks of life, each bringing a wide range of expectations, bandwidths, maturity levels, and academic skills to the classroom. And there's so much to squeeze into 10 short...