Healing artist academy 2024

What started Healing Artists Academy? Back in 2017, consciously, a series of issues within my relationships came to a head and sparked the start of an artistic series that would chronicle the journey within my psychology. I titled that, "The Fisherman."

However prior to this: unconsciously, an oil painting that I created titled "Lilith" would be that initiation into the awareness of my Life path.

At the time, Lilith presented itself to me as "mystery" "death" and "transformation" - nothing more and nothing less. I was drawn to darker female presentation. The Ravens, the Mystiques, the Warrior presenting Women - the fighting women and equally, the deeply seductive and magnetic women - those who dusted their eyes and cheeks with smoke & jewelry - were not only alluring but artistically drew my eye. A sister of mine with her rolodex of information began to provide literature and content around Lilith, Oya, and a couple other Deities within the "transformation" proximity. Now the "story" of Lilith never connected with me personally - but Death & Rebirth kept close and would remain.

Artists tend to explore different schools of thought - for me, I began to act on my curiosity and explore the more controversial topics at that time. Different spiritual systems growing up Christian, studying Astrology, and such. Fast forwarding a few years, through my desire to understand the Orisha named Olokun - I searched Apple Podcasts and found Chief Yuya whose soothing voice delivered information that was digestible and invited me to develop my intellect & character. I received a spiritual consultation from Chief Yuya and he explained things in my life that made a lot of sense as to who I am and where I'm going. Years later I would begin to study Astrology and learned that I have an Elder Cousin who provides astrological readings - he shed additional light.

All of it tied together, life not being linear of course, bringing me back to a milestone, Lilith. After Lilith - came  the Fisherman - then Atum, the Chief of Staves which symbolized the start of my life as the creator of my own destiny, and then The Archer who Tricked Death, which speaks to where I, and the rest of the world is now. My life has undergone a series of changes that I no longer run from, try to psychoanalyze too deeply, or conceptualize too much. I change a lot. And the theme of life is just that: a series of transformations and rebirth. Gaining and Letting go. Refinement.

Now along this discovery, the choices I made weren't conventional by any means and that caused some tension with the structure of my life that I didn't fully understand - I just lived it. It revealed more.

Being an Artist who wasn't truly understood or seen. Being strange, highly sensitive, quiet, but vocal and somewhat of the family priest presented its own quirks. Becoming aware of the needs in my upbringing and the instability was another issue that would echo until I learned my needs and HOW to BE compassionate while still knowing where I ended and others began. Learning forgiveness. Embracing Death in its fullness. 

The death of a loved one. The death and pain of letting go of an identity. Letting go of a crusted and comfortable resentful emotion. Surrender. I've learned that my Life is about Life. Art heals. Art brings peace. It's been the vehicle that's forced me to take the scenic route to truly get a thing. The scenic route keeps you present. The imagery sits in my mind and I ruminate on it. I ask questions and life has a wonderful way of giving me the answers.

Healing Artists take the lessons we individually live and share them for the collective. They're gifts - and surely capable of facilitating the same changes the imagery we receive from our higher consciousness changes us when we ask: "Why?"

It then hit me: Self-Actualization is our special gift. So, I decided to "paint my life over" - and help others do the same.