I am a Manitou Springs Colorado based studio artist with a unique set of skills in the area where I feel there are deficiencies in the system for the expressive arts and how we connect with marginalized populations like veterans, women who have suffered from sexual assault, and people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Disabled Female Air Force Veteran Artist and Service Dog named Betsy Boops (ADAA required; she is hypoallergenic, does not shed, has been my service dog for 2 years). Very docile and calm. Clients will have the freedom to interact with Betsy Boops as I believe animals like her are able to heal others, as she has for me.

I have a BFA in studio art, a BA in general psychology and 16 years of formal experience with transition-aged young adults AND older adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have also worked for the VA in both Chicago and Oregon as a Peer Support Specialist working with Veterans who were homeless and suffering from mental illness and substance abuse through art.

I was the manager of The Arts of Life (www.artsoflife.org). I highly recommend checking this organization out as it's where a lot of my philosophies were born.

Finally, I have 16 years of experience in the field of working with folks who have developmental, intellectual, and physical disbilities; two years of experience as a Peer Support Specialist working with Veterans suffering from PTSD and Substance Abuse Disorders; and unfortunately 21 years of experience as a survivor of military sexual trauma (MST) and a sufferer of PTSD, utilizing expressive art to self soothe and collaborate with other artists with similar experiences.

I can offer respite for $40 for a 2 hour session/plus supplies. I will provide some supplies out of my own, until they run out. The respite would be in the form of an art lesson. It can be an ongoing or one time lesson. I would be available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-6pm (days and times are negotiable as I know folks schedules vary a lot). I can also do group classes if a location is procured by you.

I can travel to your space. Cash/PayPal or card payment accepted. First lesson is 50% OFF. First lesson will be a meet and greet to determine whether it's a collaboration that both of us feel comfortable in, as well as a getting to know you questionnaire to determine subject matter and likes and dislikes.

Contact now for lessons starting February 20, 2018.

Examples of supplies:
*acrylic paint and brushes
*canvas
*anything around the house that you might think is garbage but could be used as a tactile tool to make textures
*pickle jars for water to rinse brushes
*painting clothes or smocks and gloves
*source materials - pictures of things in the world that folks like
*other items upon request for special projects