How I became a teacher
From Artist to Teacher:
The Story Behind Layers of Light
"Layers of Light" was the first online class I ever created, back in 2016 — filmed in natural light, with my very limited gear, as a beginner teacher with a big dream in her heart. Nearly a decade later, it’s still one of the most beloved classes I’ve ever made. A gentle, light-filled journey into intuitive mixed media — and the spark that lit the path for everything that followed.
Once upon a time... a class born from light
I want to tell you a story. The story of how I became a teacher — even before I believed I was one.
Daring to shine our light is never easy. Especially when we don’t feel ready. (And truthfully? We rarely do.)
Back in the winter of 2016, I was quietly painting in my little studio in the French countryside. The sky outside was soft and grey, and everything felt suspended in silence. But inside — inside me — something was beginning to stir. A glow. A quiet nudge. A calling I could feel more than explain.
At first, I ignored it. I doubted myself. I wasn’t trained. I didn’t have the "right" tools. I’d never filmed a video, let alone taught a class. I kept creating, but I resisted the idea of sharing what I knew, thinking: Who am I to teach?
Until my body made the decision for me.
One day, quite suddenly, I became very ill. I came down with pneumonia and spent over two weeks completely grounded — unable to do anything but rest, reflect, and listen. I now believe that time was a sacred pause. A cocoon. A space in which the next version of me could begin to form.
And when I finally emerged from that time of stillness, the vision was clear:
Layers of Light — not just a name, but a fully formed class in my heart.
The day I stepped back into my studio, light was pouring through the skylight over my art table. It danced across my brushes and paints, across little scraps of lace and vintage papers, like an invitation from the universe itself. And in that moment, something shifted. I stopped waiting to feel ready. I grabbed a notebook and began scribbling down every idea, every lesson, every spark of inspiration. It was like a dam had broken — and creativity came flooding in.
Becoming a teacher before I believed I could
I didn’t have a professional studio. No camera crew, no lighting, no microphone. I filmed with what I had, using natural light and a quiet determination to figure things out as I went.
And still, I showed up.
Not as a polished expert, but as a woman with paint on her hands and a longing in her soul. I wasn’t trying to teach a perfect technique — I wanted to share something real. To create a space where others could explore not just materials, but themselves.
Looking back, I realize now that Layers of Light was as much about my own transformation as it was about painting. It was a sacred threshold — the moment I dared to stop hiding and start guiding. The moment I stopped asking for permission and chose to trust my own inner wisdom.
And that’s what I want for you, too.
A quiet circle of Light Seekers
One of the most beautiful things that grew from Layers of Light is the loving community it continues to gather. From the very first round — with 222 beautiful souls (yes, an angel number!) — to the thousands who have joined since, this class has become a luminous gathering place for artists and creatives around the world.
There’s something magical that happens when we create together — not in competition, but in connection.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed hundreds of paintings come to life, each one a unique and personal expression. Not copies of my work, but heartfelt reflections of each artist’s journey. That’s the kind of teaching I believe in — holding space for others to find their voice, their colors, their truth
Your invitation
If you’ve ever felt a tug in your heart to create… if you’ve ever dreamed of expressing yourself, but weren’t sure where to begin… if there’s a quiet light inside you waiting to be seen — then this is your invitation.
Not just to learn, but to belong.
To reconnect with your creative spirit. To return to the simple joy of making art from the heart. To gather with a circle of kindred souls, each one choosing to show up in all their softness, their courage, their curiosity.
I wasn’t “ready” when I became a teacher. But I said yes anyway. And that one decision changed everything.
You don’t have to wait until everything’s perfect. You don’t have to feel good enough. You just have to begin.
Take one brushstroke. One breath. One step toward your light.
I wasn’t ready either — and that’s where the magic began.
We’ll walk this path together.
Light, Love & Fairy Dust,
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