Inside each one of us lie questions that seek answers.    

For some these questions are immediate, challenging, edgy.  For others the questions that fuel their lives have unfolded throughout their lifetime; each life stage requiring deeper and fuller answers.  For all, questions arise as to why we are here, at this time, and what if anything we are to accomplish?    

Finding answers to these questions remains an ongoing quest, and one that benefits from the attention and guidance of a witness – a guide if you will – that possesses secret tools to assist seekers as they receive and understand their next revelatory answer.  Answers, that when witnessed and assisted with care and devotion will move each person forward in their personal or collective evolution.          

Melissa Ellen Penn is such a witness, and with the assistance of her mentor,

M.C. Richards, developed a process of Color, Clay and Wordthat allows the transformative power of art to awaken the deep questions of our lives, and reveal the astounding answers awaiting within. Melissa’s process draws forth the wellspring of creativity that exists and is available within each person, irrespective of his or her artistic background. 

This unique transformative process produces creations that continue their revelations with each viewing, often astonishing the maker with their beauty and power.  The resulting art pieces provide a touchstone for this time and place on one’s journey through life.    

Unlike a traditional art class, the pieces created in this experience take no previous skill to make, have no need of specific form or function.  They are as snapshots on a journey – secret messages from the creative world of the unconscious – made manifest to their maker.    

Through the power of poetry, the process of Color, Clay and Wordbegins, calling each into the deepest recesses of their soul.  Then Melissa, as a shamanka, begins to work her magic, using the techniques of Art-As-Meditation to draw the participants into the realm of creativity.  Unexpected messages occur, as color becomes part of the process. 

As the messages begin to speak they are allowed to have a voice that continues to be unveiled through additional experiences that take each participant into a deeper place of receptive creation.   Periods of movement help the body to assimilate the power of the process, times of reflection - both personal and group - help to bring articulation to the message.  Finally, from the heart of the message, an answer is born into three-dimensional being – reflecting the process that now is working throughout the individual, into the group and out into the world.

Please see the classes and events page