Art is medicine for the spirit

A quiet place to rest


Medicine Circle Membership

Step into the circle

Explore soulful, nature-inspired artwork rooted in presence and self-kindness

You and your art are welcome here


create soulful artwork

Create soulful, nature-inspired art — sometimes through portraits, sometimes through simpler, more intuitive forms, always rooted in presence and self kindness.

learn from earth's wisdoms

We all belong to this earth. It is ancient. The trees, stones, oceans, rivers, mountains, animals, birds, and our ancestors all have medicines for us. Create art inspired by this beautiful earth and what it has to teach us.

meet yourself with kindness

Many of us carry an inner voice that questions our ability or compares our work to others. When that voice gets loud, it can make creating feel hard to begin. Inside the Circle, you’re invited to meet yourself with kindness — to create gently, even when uncertainty or fear is present.

be inspired

Feeling a bit stuck? Choose from short art sessions or dive into full length art lessons and courses. Inspiration is there for you when you need it. There is no right pace here.

A few moments from inside the circle

Within the circle, art is a approached as rest


Here, you’re invited to:

  • accept what comes, just as it is
  • to go slow, to not know, to pause, to arrive imperfectly
  • create with kindness and self-trust
  • make space for art, even in tired or tender times
  • reconnect with your own voice, without comparison


We practice listening — to the earth, to our creative rhythm, and to ourselves.

Medicine is... a ritual that nurtures the spirit

Medicine is...an experience that teaches us

Medicine is...the animals, trees, stones, birds, ocean, earth…

Medicine is…an activity that soothes the nervous system 


Engaging in a creative practice is medicine regardless of the 'product' that is created. Explore different medicines of art and creativity with lessons designed to engage your playful side, find serenity, build bravery, and connect to your inner truths. 

A gentle guide

Hello, I am from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada. My ancestral name is Tiyaltelwet, passed down from my great-great-grandmother. I live and work in my community, drawing from traditional teachings and ancestry in my art practice. I am also of Scottish ancestry. I believe we are all creative in our own way, and I’m deeply passionate about creating gentle, supportive spaces for women to engage with art-making. I am an experienced teacher and a trained Expressive Arts Practitioner. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute lessons to large, collaborative online art courses alongside artists I deeply admire, including Tamara Laporte, Ivy Newport and Kara Bullock. These collaborations have been a meaningful way to share art as a supportive, connective practice with a wide community of creatives. My 27 years of work in Indigenous health, along with experience in curriculum design and instruction, inform how I design my lessons. I guide the creative process with care — step by step — always mindful of pace, nervous system, and self-kindness. I believe art can be a place of rest. My work is grounded in nature, reflection, and the strength of women.

Melanie Rivers

I walk alongside you, so you can express what is in your heart.


I teach skill and techniques gently, in service of presence and self kindness so process remains nourishing. 

In the Medicine Circle, you’ll find:


  • Mixed-media and portrait lessons offered with care, supporting both skill and self-trust
  • Short lessons for days with limited time, and longer sessions for slower, richer creative days
  • A private, welcoming community space for connection (sharing is always optional)
  • Inspiring projects to gently focus your creative energy
  • A growing library of art lessons and courses to return to anytime
  • Downloadable resources and quiet supports along the way


Our art doesn’t ask us to be better or different.


It can simply be a place to rest — where we meet ourselves as we are, and begin from there.

Purchase Medicine Circle Membership

Start exploring

Give yourself the gift of creative rest. Immerse yourself in soulful artwork and earth’s wisdoms, moving at your own pace. You’re free to come and go, and cancel anytime.
Step into the circle here

Techniques We Explore

  • expressive brush marks
  • capture the story of your piece 
  • sketch front facing, 3/4 turned and profile portraits 
  • bring the eyes alive
  • explore colour
  • learn painterly style approaches
  • paint with monotone, face colours, and non-typical face colours
  • use stencils, geli plates, collage, fabrics, build texture, layers
  • use different substrates such as wood, paper, cardboard...


I share techniques as a way to build artistic vocabulary— giving you more ways to express what you are already feeling and noticing. 



Kind Words from the Community

"Being a part of the Medicine Circle is a gift on so many levels...spiritually, emotionally, creatively, and more." -- Brook Mckenzie


"Melanie is such a gentle soul with so much to give. She is very inspiring to a healthy practice involving mind, body, spirit in an artful way." -- Lynn Roberts


"Melanie is REAL and amazing. She truly understands the human spirit and the need to become part of nature and life." --- Mariana


"I thoroughly enjoyed learning. You were very precise with your instructions. You gave generously of yourself and of your knowledge. Your videos were full of details and information. I also like the pace with which you explained and approached the class. I didn't feel overwhelmed or feel burdened that I had to "get" it.  -- Anne-Marie Dekker

"Being a part of Melanie's artist orbit has given me many things. It has built up my confidence to tackle projects I would have avoided in the past. She has a kind, gentle spirit that is reflected in all that she creates. I love the projects due to the use of many types of mediums. The end result is so well worth the time spent". -Michel Puckett (artwork by Michel)
"The Medicine Circle is amazing. Melanie is so generous is sharing. The art sessions are the perfect length for nurturing your soul every month. It is set up in a way that you can take a break within a session and continue later. I'm so happy she started the group." -Sabrina de Jonge (artwork by Sabrina de Jonge)
"Highly recommend the Medicine Circle. The growth I’ve experienced in my creative process from consistent support and practice with Melanie has been unreal. Paradigm shift even in how I understand what my process is". -Deborah Wagner (artwork by Deborah)

Frequently Asked

  • What supplies do I need? And do I need them all?

    The short answer is: no — you don’t need to have everything. Inside the Medicine Circle, I use a mix of supplies such as acrylic paint (heavy body and fluid), inks, pencil, charcoal, watercolour, collage papers, and fabrics. These are simply tools I enjoy working with — not requirements. For each lesson, I share the supplies I’m using, along with suggestions for alternatives and substitutions. You’re always encouraged to begin with what you already have and adapt as needed. This space is about exploration, not having the “right” materials. What you have on hand is enough.

  • What if I fall behind or don’t have a lot of time?

    There’s no way to fall behind here. All of the lessons and courses in the Medicine Circle are available for you to return to whenever you have time. You’re welcome to dip into different lessons at your own pace, following what feels supportive in the moment. Lessons and projects vary in length, and you can always see the approximate time before you begin. There are also shorter sessions designed to fit into 10–20 minute windows, for days when time or energy is limited. This space is meant to meet you where you are. Choose what fits your life right now — and enjoy the time you give yourself.

  • I’m new to drawing and painting. Will I be comfortable here?

    Yes — absolutely. Many women join the Medicine Circle when they’re newer to mixed media or portrait painting, and others arrive with more experience. Everyone is welcome, exactly where they are. I offer clear, step-by-step guidance, along with a growing library of technique videos you can return to anytime. You’re supported as you learn, but there’s no pressure to get things “right.” What matters most here is enjoying the process of creating and learning along the way. Each person’s creative journey is different, and comparison isn’t part of this space. You’re invited to move at your own pace and trust your own unfolding.

  • What is the duration of the membership?

    The Medicine Circle is a monthly membership. You’re welcome to join for as long as it feels supportive — whether that’s a single month or a longer season of time. There’s no long-term commitment, and you can cancel anytime. This space is here to meet you where you are, for as long as it feels right.

  • Is the Medicine Circle only focused on portraits?

    Portraits are a central part of the Medicine Circle, but they aren’t the only focus. Alongside portrait work, we also explore a range of subjects and approaches — including animals, birds, figures, collage, and more abstract ways of working. These different forms offer varied entry points into expression, play, and presence. Portraits often act as a gentle anchor, while other subjects invite freedom, exploration, and rest. You’re welcome to follow what feels most supportive to you.

  • Can I cancel my membership anytime?

    Yes. You’re free to cancel your membership at any time through your account — there’s no need to contact me directly. There’s no pressure to stay if you need a break, and you’re always welcome to return whenever it feels right.

  • What currency is the Medicine Circle priced in?

    The membership price is listed in USD. Each month, your payment will be automatically converted to your local currency based on the exchange rate at the time of billing. At this time, the membership is offered in a single currency and accepts credit cards only. While the price is listed in USD, I’m an Indigenous artist based in Canada, and the platform hosting the Medicine Circle (Thinkific) is a Canadian company.

  • Is this membership for me if I’m tired, busy, or going through a lot?

    Yes — this space was created with that in mind. The Medicine Circle is designed to meet you where you are, including seasons of fatigue, busyness, or change. There’s no expectation to create regularly or to have a certain amount of energy. Some days you may feel drawn to make art, and other days you may simply watch, reflect, or rest. Both are part of the practice here.

  • Do I need to participate in the community to belong?

    No. Participation in the community space is always optional. Some members enjoy sharing their work or connecting through conversation, while others prefer to move quietly through the lessons on their own. Listening, witnessing, and creating privately are all valid ways of being here. You belong whether you post or not.

  • How often are new lessons added?

    New lessons are added monthly. Over time, this creates a growing library of lessons and courses that you can return to whenever it suits you. There’s no need to keep up with what’s new — everything remains available for you to explore at your own pace.

  • Is this a live or self-guided membership?

    The Medicine Circle is a self-guided membership. All lessons are pre-recorded, so you can engage with them on your own schedule, at any time. There are no live sessions currently offered. You may notice some recordings from past live gatherings in the library — these are simply part of the collection and can be enjoyed whenever it feels right. This structure is intentional, allowing for flexibility, rest, and ease.

  • How long do I have access to the lessons?

    You have access to all lessons and courses for as long as you’re a member. The Medicine Circle is designed as a monthly, ongoing space — not something to complete or consume all at once. The membership price reflects what someone might realistically explore in a given season of time, rather than the full value of everything in the library. You’re invited to move slowly, return to lessons as often as you like, and choose what feels supportive right now.

  • Is there a refund if I decide the Medicine Circle is not the right fit?

    Yes. There’s a 14-day money-back guarantee so you can explore the Medicine Circle and see how it feels for you. If you decide it’s not the right fit at this time, you’re welcome to reach out to me for a no-questions-asked refund.