You and your art are welcome here
Learn to love your creative time so you can consistently show up for yourself and make art you are proud of.
Find more relaxation, energy, and joy in your life.
Grow your portrait skills
Join the Medicine Circle Membership
You and your art are welcome here
Learn to love your creative time so you can consistently show up for yourself and make art you are proud of.
Find more relaxation, energy, and joy in your life.
Create with ease and joy
Accept your art no matter what comes out that day
Be kind to yourself as you create
Build confidence in your own creativity
Find ways to create when tired, in pain, or too busy
Be proud of your own art and to not compare to others
Who is a part of the Medicine Circle?
Mostly women aged 40+ who have a passion for nature inspired portraits.
Many have been creating art for less than a year and many for a few years or more.
Medicine can come from an experience that teaches us something. The experience may be painful at the time, but it may help us grow as a person. Everything has something to teach us and we can choose what we learn and how fast.
Medicine is... a ritual that nurtures the spirit
Medicine is...a teaching or lesson that we learn to better oursleves
Medicine is...a quality of another being or object that we can apply to our own life
Medicine is..an activity of food that helps strengthen our bodies
Engaging in a creative practice is medicine regardless of the 'product' that is created. In the Medicine Circle, we explore the different medicines of art and creativity with lessons designed to engage your playful side, find serenity, build bravery, and connect to your inner truths and the wisdoms of the earth.
Melanie Rivers
I walk alongside you, so you can express what is in your heart
I am a calming and supportive guide... feel safe to ask questions, express your fears, and share your precious art. Direct access to my guidance.
In the Medicine Circle you will discover:
Our art does not have to be beautiful or even be completed to have taught us something or helped us grow.
every one has a place in the circle
art is a learned skill
learning is deepened when shared
mistakes are a part of the richness of learning
art does not have to be beautiful or perfect to be valuable
kindness to self and others is vital
There is a private community as a part of the Medicine Circle where you can share your creative journey and artwork with other like-minded women. It is within the classroom (and not on FaceBook).
In this foundational lesson called Ancient Lands, we explore the connection to the ancestral lands we currently reside on or a place that is special to us. Each month you receive an in depth lesson.
There are also live sessions (and replay) where we explore with new supplies and techniques.
"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
Absolutely. I love to introduce women to mixed media and portraits. There are many who are newer at art and also many a few years along and more. I provide step by step guidance and there is a library of technique videos. What's most important is enjoying the process of painting and learning along the way. Every one is it a different place in their journey, so be careful not to compare.
The membership lessons and courses are there for you when you have time. You can dip into different lessons/courses at your own pace. The lessons and projects will vary in length and you can see ahead of time how long the lesson is. I've also created short ‘mini medicine’ sessions for each monthly lesson that can be done in a 10-20 min timeframe. So, pick something you have time for and enjoy!
I use a mix of supplies in the Medicine Circle... acrylic heavy body, fluid, inks, pencil, charcoal, watercolour, collage papers, fabrics, ..... The supplies you have on hand are the right ones! I provide supply lists outlining the ones I used, plus suggestions for alternatives.
No. While heavily focused on portraits, we explore a range of subjects and techniques.... animals, birds, collage, figures, abstract.....
You can join monthly or yearly (with a discount). If you only want to join for a month or two you can. You can cancel anytime.
Yes. It is easy to cancel your membership anytime within your account. You do not even need to contact me. There is no pressure to stay if you need to take a break and you are always welcome to return.
I host live 'paint along' sessions on Zoom and recordings are available for those who can't make the live time. I rotate times of day so as to capture participation from different parts of the world. You do not need to come on camera if you don't want to.
I open registration to the membership 2-3 times per year. This way you can begin along with other new members.
The price is in USD and it will be converted to your home currency each month based on the exchange rate that day. We only accept credit cards at this time.
Yes, while a member you have access to the past monthly lessons and live session replays and to the full length mixed media and portrait courses.
There is a 14 day money back guarantee so you can see if it is the right fit for you at this time. Just contact Melanie for a no questions asked refund.
You have access for as long as you are a member. It is like a Netflix or gym membership and the price is based on what a person can feasibly do in a month vs the full value of all the courses and lessons in the membership.