HOBBY PARENT, Mixed Media Artist, Certified Intentional Creativity® Teacher & Coach

As an artist, teacher and coach living and working in my home & studio West of Charlottesville, Virginia, I live in view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoying nature and its vast sources of artistic inspiration. My work emerges in acrylics, watercolor and mixed media, as well as graphic design. I began painting, drawing and illustrating in high school, although I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember.

I am especially intrigued by organic elements from nature, expressing my love of the outdoors. Combining a number of mixed media techniques inspired by natural objects, vintage collections, color & form, as well as intuitive, abstract and cosmic elements, my compositions create a uniquely mystical union.

My education began at Mary Washington College with a major in Studio Art under the tutelage of Joseph DiBella and I developed a love of Art History under Joseph Dreiss.  John Lamph, an abstract interpreter of intuitive feelings, influenced by Japanese printmaking and Zen philosophy, was another great influence on my work at MWC (now University of Mary Washington).

Inspiration comes from well known women artists such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe as well as lesser known Elyssa Rundle. The influence of art techniques by Flora Bowley and Tracy Verdugo, map making by Jill K Berry and the textile art of Liz Kettle, along with hours of perusing museum exhibits are incorporated into the workings of my art. Poetry by Shiloh Sophia, Mary Oliver, David Whyte, and Derek Wolcott are integrated as well.

I belong to a lineage of artists which originates with  Lenora Strauss, her apprentice Sue Hoya Sellers, and Sue’s protégé, Artist & Maestra Shiloh Sophia McCloud, in the Intentional Creativity® Method of painting.

Hobby’s grandfather, Ernest Brooks, was an artist and both her adopted parents, Tomboy & Hilda Hobbs, were musicians, crafters, and home builders.

Through online mixed media education, as well as in-studio instruction, the craft of spiritual journey, sacred mark making, and intuitive art is a culmination of Hobby’s past education and current pursuit of expressive arts in healing and transformation for women and all people.

“My intention for art and paintings is to inspire and uplift those who view my work, challenging them to see beyond what is visible to the eye, connecting with their heart. I make marks, choose colors, intuitively expressing my passion and what arrives through visioning and art journaling as I connect with the canvas and paint. The ability to make art, teach, coach and use creativity to inspire and help heal others is a great privilege.”

Christine Brodmerkel MACP, Certified Professional Coach, ELI-MP

Are you leading by default or are you consciously choosing how your thoughts, behaviors and feelings are impacting those around you? Are old beliefs holding you back from taking the reins in your life? Whether we are aware or not, we are all leaders, setting examples and giving permissions for ideas and actions at all times. Whether you are a parent of two children, a seasoned corporate director or a small business owner, others are looking up to you for direction, mentorship, consultation and oversight. I can help you enter into a journey of self-discovery, frequently confronting your long-held beliefs, challenging the way you see yourself and your world and taking action to move yourself from that new awareness to your desired place.

I work with people from a wide set of backgrounds, from fledgling artists to 30-year corporate career veterans, entrepreneurs to healers. What they have in common is the inner knowing they can do or be more, the belief in possibility and willingness to apply themselves. They come to coaching because a very deep urge inside is asking for transformation.

I have studied healing, nature, nutrition, art and spirituality and metaphysicis and transitioned into coaching after running my family business and formally training and practicing as a psychotherapist. I coach from an integrative perspective, which invites input from, and exploration of, body, mind, emotions, and spiritual or philosophical aspects of self to attain broader and often hidden perspectives. My light-hearted coaching style supports client-centered insight and client-led direction through use of mindfulness, creative imagination and developing access to inner wisdom.

I am a certified professional coach with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. My on-going interests also include personal finances, nutrition, meditation, travel, and playing piano and guitar and singing.