Who Is This Woman, Anyway?

Well, basically I’m just someone who’s discovered that what lights me up is helping others see what lights them up — I live to see and celebrate the divine light in each of us.

I’ve been fortunate to have my Possibility Portraits  featured in a #1 mysticism bestseller, college textbooks, WebTV, international online conferences and teleseminars, sharing a stage with Lisa Sasevich and John Assaraf, and private art collections across the USA.

I’m also grateful to lead vision board workshops around the country, such as Vision-Powered Planning for Entrepreneurs and Treasure Mapping: Creating an Extraordinary Year — participants call these unique workshops “dynamite,” “wonderful,” and “tremendously beneficial.” (See more.)  And I so appreciate getting to work with wonderful, creative clients who want to make a difference in my Grow Your Dreams Intensive 90 day programs and private visioning work. (See more.)

My idealistic dream is that this work will help people see not only their own light — their own inner beauty and greatness and shared humanity — but also the light in others, at home, in our communities, and all over the world. If we all saw this consistently there would truly be peace on earth.

Before I began this work in 2004, I was a Cornell Ph.D. and an ethics textbook author, as well as a homeschooling mom and recognized authority on “unschooling.” I never imagined being either an artist or a workshop leader — much less one who helps people remember who they really are.

So what happened?

I had a transformative experience. During a powerful self-discovery course in New York, I went to see an exhibit of Byzantine art.

As I was marveling at an ancient icon, an idea struck me with the force of a revelation:

wouldn’t it be incredible to paint portraits of ordinary people in their holy aspects, icons for the 21st century that show who we truly have the capacity to be?

But — I hadn’t touched a paint brush in over 20 years…

(Like many people, I loved to draw and paint as a child, but decided as a teen that I couldn’t be an artist.

That’s me, age 7, drawing at school in Florence, Italy…)

I was on fire with my idea, however, so I rushed home, bought paints and supplies, and turned our bedroom into an art studio. (Fortunately my husband is a very supportive and flexible guy!)

And as I interviewed my first subject (thanks Sue!) and began painting the first “possibility portrait,” I discovered a delight and purposefulness I’d last remembered as young teen, counseling friends and drawing all over my schoolwork. So this is what I was meant to do! And Inner Vision Portraits was born.

I am so grateful to have found work that is both utterly fun and fulfilling for me, and also makes a unique contribution and lasting difference for others. Who could ask for more?

When I’m not working/playing, I enjoy my teenage daughters and husband (the novelist Brian Hall); teach “dance for the soul” as part of the Academy of Muses expressive dance collective; appreciate friendships with amazing heart-centered entrepreneurs and change agents, locally and around the world; and savor the  community and beautiful landscapes of home — Ithaca, NY.

And there’s all the other good stuff, too: spirituality, writing, meditating, gardening, singing, biking, Kundalini yoga, cooking, being in nature, being silly, Deep Talks, and just generally loving life. It’s an amazing time to be alive, isn’t it?

Please click here to drop me a line.