Margo is joined by artist, art retreat facilitator, and author Carrie Schmitt. Carrie began painting in 2009 while bedridden after being diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy to heat. She paid attention to a very poignant internal message. Since then she has devoted her life to creativity in many facets and allows herself and creativity to continue to evolve. Her mission is to teach students not only how to paint, but more importantly to have a loving relationship with your art because it has the power to heal, empower, and transform us when we offer it our tenderness instead of our criticism.   Carrie teaches online classes and in-person retreats at her home and artist sanctuary called House of Miracles in Steilacoom, Washington. She also licenses her art for products, including stationary, home décor, clothing, and more. She has written several books, including The Story of Every Flower, a 10 year celebration of her journey as an artist. Her picture book A Flower in Her Heart: The True Story of an Artist Who Bloomed, won the Mom’s Choice Award in 2022.    Margo and Carrie discuss:  How creativity has guided her through big life changes and transitions Her life changing diagnosis and how it really became the catalyst to her spiritual and creative journey The story of what she calls her “accidental spiritual pilgrimage” and what she learned from it Creating the House of Miracles and how it came to be Her experience of working through feelings of shame and silent suffering and how things changed when she became more vulnerable and spoke on her struggles Honoring the feminine Why she talks and listens to her paintings and encourages others to do the same Finding freedom and non-judgement within herself Getting to know creativity in a new way   Mentioned in this episode: Puget Sound Plungers Chromophobia by David Batchelor Ilarion Merculieff   Connect with Carrie: www.carrieschmittdesign.com www.instagram.com/carrieschmitt www.facebook.com/CarrieSchmittArtAndDesign