blog - alena hennessy

Giveaway Time!

May 30, 2017June 3, 2017

Hey everyone, I’ve missed you. I feel like its been awhile since we really connected. I’ve also been reflecting softly on what I can offer to you at this juncture after 11+ years of teaching art for the empowered spirit. After some thought this course came to me as I recall some of my most …

Mid-Life

April 27, 2017April 27, 2017

At 40 yrs old, I’m starting to really get that it’s no longer about me, its about us. These questions pleasantly ring inside me: Source, how can you use me for Love? How may I better serve? From our wounds come our deepest wisdom. My intention is to be even stronger now, less selfish, a …

New Website Party!

March 20, 2017March 20, 2017

OK y’all, a confession: its taken me over a year to complete my new website! For whatever reason, sometimes a process goes slower… and this is certainly true for my new site. But now here it is unveiled! A few major changes were made, with special attention going to readability especially for my online courses. …

When I Was the Forest

February 5, 2017February 10, 2017

When I was the stream, when I was the forest, when I was still the field, when I was every hoof, foot, fin and wing, when I was the sky itself, no one ever asked me did I have a purpose, no one ever wondered was there anything I might need, for there was nothing …

What Can Come of Our Brokenness?

January 18, 2017January 18, 2017

Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. – Leonard Cohen Just about everyone I speak to these days is feeling some sort of cracking or tearing at the seams. Our internal world feels it and the outside world reflects …

An Epic Giveaway!

November 16, 2016November 21, 2016

I’d like to commence a season gratitude and healing, so starting today I’m having my biggest giveaway of the year! ** Five spots will be given in EACH of my most beloved ecourses: A Year of Painting or A Year of Healing; plus, a scholarship to a workshop or retreat (these sell out very quickly), …

Artists for Love

November 15, 2016November 17, 2016

Here in the States there is a rumbling and an outcry occurring. It appears that we find ourselves in a divided construct within our beliefs, needs, and values. This week has also had wildfires like never seen before in Western North Carolina, or as my father aptly shared: “Mother Earth has a fever.” Last night …

Retreat.

October 5, 2016October 5, 2016

\ Some snaps of the Autumn Soul Painting retreat. My heart is so full from this experience… these women. Oh my stars. Words cannot suffice. There is an unseen and then seen magic and alchemy of healing that comes when women gather in the name of creative spirit. It is palpable and nourishing. It is …

A Year of Super Fresh Creating!

September 13, 2016September 13, 2016

YOU ALL! This feels so so good. It’s that time of year again and this time I am re-doing it all over again with brand new lessons and painting adventures… it’s time to go on an art retreat ~ virtually ~ all year long! So just to let you know, we are filming brand new …

Wanderlust

September 2, 2016September 2, 2016

Wanderlust is whole year long journey – an online event offering you videos from 24 guest teachers and 2 resident teachers on weekly basis (each one is full length, high quality and downloadable), access to the Wanderlust Community with a supportive and friendly atmosphere, where all classes are gathered. You will also find there various …

My Stardust Darling

July 11, 2016August 10, 2016

Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how your breathing makes more space around you. Let this darkness be a bell tower and you the bell. As you ring, what batters you becomes your strength. Move back and forth into the change. What is it like, such intensity of pain? If the drink is …

Current Turn Ons

June 13, 2016June 13, 2016

Painting together in the spirit of collaboration with Faith Evans Sills and in retreats and workshops. Planning my Summer workshop where folks arrive in just a few weeks so that we can paint outside together. Oh my… Outdoor pillows, easels, rugs and circling under birdsong and wind/light in leaves. I welcome you! Having a proud …

On taking risk

May 19, 2016May 20, 2016

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” ― Giuseppe Verdi “What is the fatal charm of Italy? What do we find there that can be found nowhere else? I believe it is a certain permission to be human, which other places, other countries, lost long ago.” –Erica Jong Hello wonders! I just …

Come visit me!

April 3, 2016April 3, 2016

I just listed my new AirBnB space (private downstairs apartment in my home). I would love for you to come visit! All the details are listed to book are here. Safe, happy, and joyful travels to you always…

New Workshop Coming!

March 17, 2016March 29, 2016

Hi there! My Soul Painting workshops in our sweet gallery space tend to sell out pretty quickly (within a day to a few) so I wanted to give you all a little more heads up for the next one for the glorious Summer season in Asheville! (Think river swimming, big blooms and waterfalls)! The exact …

A letter that makes it all worthwhile…

March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

I received the following letter yesterday… it truly came at the perfect time for my heart. Sometimes the reward of taking the risk to show your true self inside to the world pays off. It is a ripple that can come back and bless your bare feet years later, as did this one. The author …

Current Turn-Ons

February 21, 2016March 19, 2016

Painting a whole lot again… one of my favorite remedies and nourishment for the soul. Going back to my roots with bird painting too: a pure and perfect symbol for the heart. My Mama’s new ecourse and the amazing work being created! So different than in my classes. I love the contrast. These precious healing …

We crave the sacred, we long to remember

January 13, 2016January 14, 2016

Since I share so much on the value of self-care and nurturance, it’s key that I walk the talk. I therefore took myself on a Qoya retreat (sacred movement and ritual for women), where I am learning and un-learning so much goodness. I realize more than ever as human beings we need to experience the …

Current Turn Ons

December 24, 2015December 24, 2015

And how gorgeous are these women?? (Clockwise from top left): Marianne Mitchell, Michelle Madden Smith, Jen Grey, Flora Bowley, Tam LaPorte, Rachael Rice, and Juliet Blankenspoor, just some of the guest teachers in A Year of Healing: Abundant Wild Living (closing VERY soon).

Adorning the Nest

November 10, 2015December 30, 2015

Almost 2 months ago I received the keys to my new home. I cannot begin to share how emotionally intense and fulfilling the entire experience was. It brought up so much for me because this is the first home I’ve owned since my divorce some six years ago. For years I had been saving and …