What Can You Create From This One Beautiful Life?
For Jenny Santa Maria, there is no such thing as a "non-artist," only artists who have something in their way.
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This past June, I hosted my first all-women’s retreat in Greece. Eleven of us had the time of our lives in two villas overlooking the Ionian Sea. We did some yoga, swam in the infinity pools, toured the island, and ate the best Mediterranean food. In the evenings, we met to talk and worked on our travel journals from our trip.
It was a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime joyful experience—so much so that I wanted to do it again with a new group of women.
I'm planning another retreat next year, September 7-13, 2025, on the same island of Zakynthos and staying in the same place, Artemis Villas. This time, I am bringing Jennifer Santa Maria, an art coach, as my co-leader.
I met Jenny at a friend’s house this past spring, where she guided us in a pysanky (Ukrainian egg decorating) workshop. I was so impressed with her and my egg. (I thought the egg would be ugly, but I am proud of my work!)
Jenny and I share the belief that we are all creativity machines. But I didn’t always think this way. A friend once off-handedly remarked that she didn’t see me as creative, and I kept her words in my heart for a long time because I believed it myself.
The belief that we are not creative beings is a pebble—no, make that a boulder in your shoe. My belief changed, though, because, on some level, I always knew it was a lie. We can’t help but create every day. Now, I want everyone to reclaim and embrace their creative birthright.
Affirming our creativity is one of the goals of the ladies' retreat next year, and there is no better person to lead us forward than Jenny. Info regarding the upcoming retreat is on my Traveling Women’s Circle substack, but today, I’m sharing my interview with Jenny with all of you, and I’m sure you’ll become a Jenny fan girl (or guy) like me.
First, a little bit about the effervescent Jenny…
She lives with her husband on 3.5 beautiful acres in Farmingdale, New Jersey. This garden/farm, named Chalet Mystique, also belongs to several chickens, two cats, a bunch of bees (she’s got three apiaries!), and lots of local wildlife. The property is a labor of love for the Santa Maria Family. My words cannot do it justice, so you must look for yourself. Links to Jenny’s Chalet and work are at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
Hello, Jenny…..
What inspired you to become an art coach, and how has your journey shaped your work with women?
Hi Ilona! I believe my greatest gift is in bringing out the gifts in others, and I've spent my lifetime honing in on the art of teaching art. Since receiving my Art Education and Special Education degrees in 2013, I have worked with two populations- adults and underprivileged teens, both of whom face similar challenges: tremendous anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, and resistance.
These experiences have shaped me as an art coach. I specialize in designing workshops for those who typically shy away from taking an art class. I work with a diverse range of people who often think art belongs solely in galleries or museums. I help them see that art can and should belong in the home and be shared with their families.
Everyone needs to experience the benefits of art-making and reclaim their creative power.
Can you share a moment from your coaching experience where art helped someone discover a more profound sense of purpose or direction?
I have a shelf in my studio where I save my students' cards and emails. On that shelf is a letter from a mother of two small children who had never taken an art class. She expressed how the session helped her feel calm, empowered, and ready to begin a new creative chapter. The woman introduced art projects at home and discovered more about her children.
Art is so powerful that it can create and reshape a family's culture.
Recently, a regular student of my embroidery workshops shared photos of a collection of handmade pillowcases she had stitched with affirmations to donate to a local youth shelter. Although she had long wanted to volunteer, she discovered a meaningful service through the skills she gained in class. She preferred to create for others in this new stage of her life.
I live for those moments when participants prove to themselves that they always had everything they needed.
How do you see art and creativity helping women in the empty nest, retirement phase, or transitional phases of life redefine themselves and find renewed meaning?
Creating, reimagining, and designing are ways to breathe new life into your home, relationships, and life. Reimagining means looking at possibilities rather than limitations, considering different points of view, and making decisions based on those.
As in life, so in art.
After years of focusing on family, career, or caregiving, this stage provides the space to reconnect with personal passions and explore novel forms of self-expression. Engaging in creative activities allows reflection and helps spark a renewed sense of purpose.
Painting, writing, crafting— the process of making something from nothing—mirrors the journey of reinvention.
For women who may not consider themselves "artistic," how do you guide them through creative exploration?
Creating is inherently feminine, rooted in nurturing, intuition, and the birth of new ideas. That's not to say that creativity isn't a universal ability.
Creativity belongs to everyone, yet the essence of creation reflects qualities traditionally aligned with the feminine.
This view is evident in my language and the thoughtful designing and planning of experiences and workshops. I teach many skills, but women have a knack for visual brainstorming and designing.
I always aim to meet people where they are to help them "birth" something of value, which could lead to much more birthing. Art can be a touchy and uncomfortable subject, so I developed a unique workshop I facilitate around the state called "Art for the Non-Artist." I will use some of these techniques during our retreat.
During our retreat in Zakynthos, Greece, what artistic exercises or practices will you introduce to help participants tap into their inner creativity?
I look forward to getting to know this group, especially in a beautiful and culturally significant place. Greece's creative culture celebrates free thinking, the body, and powerful women in their myths. I will share the empowering story of Athena, the revered goddess for whom they named their capital city, Athens, in her honor. We'll look at the Greek use of symbols and explore how to develop empowering personal symbols that correspond with our own stories.
We'll engage in a fun exercise I've used in my non-artist workshops (it’s a surprise!) We'll learn some basic sketching techniques and develop visual brainstorming skills. Then, we'll dive into a hands-on with polymer clay.
We'll emphasize play and imagination, equipping us with skills to begin a new creative chapter.
What are some common challenges you've observed in women during transitions, and how do you use art to help them overcome these obstacles?
A common challenge I observe is negative self-talk, which often signals resistance and feelings of intimidation. I address these feelings head-on before we even begin to foster a more supportive environment. One of my more famous quotes is, "If you can write your name, you can do this."
We learn together that there is no such thing as a "non-artist," only artists who have something in their way.
Whether it's the joy of creating something tangible or the bonds formed during the process, the arts provide a meaningful pathway for empowerment and renewal during times of change.
What excites you most about co-leading this retreat, and what do you hope the participants will take away from their experience with you?
I am genuinely excited about this retreat because I've witnessed how quickly bonds form during my 3-hour classes. I can only imagine how much deeper those connections will grow with our extended time together.
I hope participants remember this experience as relaxing, thought-provoking, artful, empowering, and inspiring to continue expanding their skills and practice long after the retreat ends.
I know we will have a lot of fun, sharing laughs and having the most fun with the best women, snacking on olives in the warm and beautiful Mediterranean sun.
Wow, Jenny, you rock! Thanks for letting us get to know you. I know you will bring a new dimension to our Greek retreat, and I’m thrilled to have you along.
To learn more about Jenny, visit her website here, Linktree here, Facebook here, and Instagram for Chalet Mystique here.
I also invite you to consider visiting Greece with a group of celestial ladies. You can learn more about the trip on the Travelling Women's Circle substack, where you can see all the updates. When you subscribe, you’ll receive links to all posts describing the trip.
Prices are listed here. The early bird special pricing ends on November 1st.
How is your creativity journey going? Let’s talk in the comments.
Sounds lovely.
Jenny's perspective on art as a way to 'birth something of value' is so powerful. It makes me wonder, what hidden potential lies dormant within us, waiting for the right moment to emerge? And how can we create the conditions to nurture and unleash that creative energy in ourselves and others?