You and your art are welcome here
Find more relaxation, energy, and joy
enrolment now open
create soulful portraits
Create portraits with emotion, aliveness and expression. Find confidence and ease in your ability to create soulful portraits and build your skills along the way.
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.
move past the fear
Do you struggle with that inner critic that tells you 'you can't do it', 'other people can do it better' or you 'aren't getting it right', or it 'isn't skillful'? Many of us struggle with this and it can get in the way of our ability to sit down to create. Learn to be kind to yourself as you create and create even if you feel 'the fear'.
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.
Loving your creative time includes:
Creating with ease and joy
Accepting your art no matter what comes out that day
Being kind to yourself as you create
Building confidence in your own creativity
Finding ways to create when tired, in pain, or too busy
Being proud of your own art and not comparing to others
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.
I'm here to guide you
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.
What to expect
In the Medicine Circle you will discover:
- mixed media and portrait lessons designed to support your progress
- short lessons to get you started when you have limited time and longer ones for rich creative days
- connection in a private virtual community space (sharing optional)
- themes and inspiring projects to focus your efforts
- a growing library of art courses to dip into at anytime
- downloadable resources and more
Our art does not have to be beautiful or even be completed to have taught us something or helped us grow.
Purchase Medicine Circle Membership
Start creating now
Give yourself the gift of creative time. Immerse yourself in soulful portraits and earth’s wisdoms. Stay as long as you want. You can cancel anytime.
Techniques We Explore
- expressive brush marks
- generate ideas and design your pieces
- sketch front facing, 3/4 turned and profile portraits
- place the features in relation to each other
- bring the eyes alive
- gain ease with blending
- create shape and dimension in the face
- successfully bring in contrasting colours
- 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...
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
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I'm new to drawing and painting, will I be comfortable to participate?
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.
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What if I fall behind? or don't have a lot of time?
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 sessions that can be done in a 10-20 min timeframe. So, pick something you have time for and enjoy!
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What supplies do I need? And do I need them all?
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.
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Is it just portrait lessons?
No. While heavily focused on portraits, we explore a range of subjects and techniques.... animals, birds, collage, figures, abstract.....
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What is the duration of the membership?
You can join monthly. If you only want to join for a month or two you can. You can cancel anytime.
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Can I 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.
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When is registration open?
I open registration to the membership 1-2 times per year. This way you can begin along with other new members.
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What currency is the price in? How can I pay?
The price is in USD and it will be converted to your home currency each month based on the exchange rate that day. Unfortunately, as a small business, I am not able to offer in multiple currencies and only accept credit cards at this time. Please note that while the price is in USD, I am a sole entrepreneur who is Indigenous/Canadian and the platform I host the membership on (Thinkific) is a Canadian business.
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What if I am not satisfied with the Medicine Circle?
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.
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How long do I have access to the lessons?
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.
