Hannah Marcotti guides women to fall in love with themselves and through that love see the possibility of what they can create. This is where the magic happens. As a writer she watches, listens, and experiences then transforms those moments into words that find their place on the page. This is where her introverted, sensitive side fuels itself. As a group leader, she gathers women together to increase their joy and fuel their own creative lives. She does not seek balance, (she does have three kids after all!!!) but seeks to live in joy and follow her passions. As a Highly Sensitive Person she is a quietly impassioned motivator. She feels and intuits. She moves furniture around so much in her house that no one knows where anything will ever be. She feels, oh yes, she feels so much, but turns these feelings and intuitions into ideas and actions. This is her service to the world. To herself.
Jen Gray is a free spirit in every sense of the word. Over the years she has worn the hats of a commercial photographer, retreat facilitator, a dance coach, teacher and counselor. She loves finding ways to turn ordinary moments into an adventure, in listening deeply to nature, and in discovering beauty in unexpected places. Jen lives in a sleepy little town with the love of her life and two sweet cats. It’s been a wish come true for her to co-host this gathering with her dear friend Michelle.
Madelyn Mulvaney is a writer, photographer and the creator of the Persisting Stars’ online photography courses. Her photography is represented by Getty Images and has been featured on several book covers and magazines around the world. Madelyn lives in a house by the sea with her darling teenagers, Tess and Noah and is working on her book entitled ‘My Sweet Muse’ ~ morning coffee and the creative life. She is very fond of chili dark chocolate, loooooonnnng road trips and swing dancing.
Kate Inglis is a writer and photographer who lives on the far eastern coastline of Nova Scotia where she was born. In November 2009 her first novel was published — The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods, a YA book January Magazine calls “a spirited tale, gorgeously rendered.” The sequel is slated for release in spring 2014, followed by a book of monster poetry for kids in fall 2014. You can watch her TEDx talk here. She spends a lot of time with her camera in-hand, chasing light. In addition to writing for Shutter Sisters as a founding contributor, she co-authored the book Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters Guide to Shooting From The Heart (2010)
Maya Rachel Stein is a Ninja poet, writing guide, and creative adventuress. Among her latest escapades are a 1,200-mile bicycle journey with a typewriter, a cross-country poetry trip, a French crepe stand at a Massachusetts farmers market, and a relocation from San Francisco to suburban New Jersey to live with her favorite Brave Girl. You can learn more about Maya’s adventures at www.mayastein.com.
Amy Tingle is a freelance editor, writer, and the founder of BraveGirlsArt. She loves road trips and singing in the car with the windows rolled down. She is a barefoot girl at heart who also loves wearing high heels and dancing with complete abandon. And oddly, she dislikes The Muppets–except Animal who was the zaniest of the bunch. She lives in Nutley, NJ with a Ninja poet, two boys and a dog named Lola. You can find out more about Tingle’s shenanigans here.
Melissa Piccola lives in a 100-year-old home in the quaint little town of Apex, North Carolina with her cat, Allie. She is a Pilates instructor who loves teaching and works with people who need help to recover from injuries, regain strength, and get back on the road to good health. Melissa also facilitates an art camp for kids during the summer. When she’s not taking care of others, Melissa takes care of herself by traveling to visit faraway friends and discover new places.
Melody Ross is a barefoot artist & author who wishes she lived in a treehouse in the forest behind her ranch in Idaho. She is the founder of Brave Girls Club, where she combines her career as a full time artist with her love for helping women to reunite with their beautiful souls and light their own way back home. She loves to find beauty, color and happiness in everything and everyone and then she loves to paint it, write about it or take a picture of it to share with anyone who could use a little love, light and truth. She feels like she’s already lived a thousand lives and you can read more about that on her site.
Michelle Madden Smith After years of producing creative projects with National Geographic, Burn Magazine and Squam Art Workshops, Michelle quit her day job to design a life more aligned with her dreams – which includes a home by the sea, running her little yoga studio, and producing online video content for her favorite artist friends. As a yogini, her eclectic teaching style ranges from meltingly indulgent restorative poses to vigorous vinyasa, and her classes are a fluid mix of ritual and variety. She is a doting doggie-mama to the frisbee-obsessed little Eli, grateful companion to the feline Simone, and partner-in-love with a brilliant filmmaker/surfer boy. She is honored to be co-hosting this event for you with her sister-in-spirit, Jen Gray.