Stories, Layers, and the Women Who Inspire Us

🎧PREFER TO LISTEN TO THIS BLOG POST? TUNE IN HERE:

Happy International Women's Day!

I just wanted to take a moment to say—what an incredible thing it is to be a woman, to know women, to be shaped by them, and to walk through life with them. Today is a reminder of all the strength, creativity, and resilience we carry, the stories we hold, and the way we lift each other up.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately—how much we are shaped by the women in our lives. Mentors, friends, artists, healers. Those who’ve encouraged us, those who’ve challenged us, those whose words have stayed with us long after they’ve been spoken.

It reminds me of a conversation I had recently with Mistie, my Ads Manager. She asked me how I knew how to weave intention setting and guided meditation into my art workshops, and she pointed out just how deeply rooted my art is in nature. That question got me thinking… how did I get here? How did all these different parts of my life—my experiences, my passions, my heartbreaks—come together to shape not just my art, but the courses I teach, the community I hold space for, and the way I live my life?

And the answer is—just like in my art, it’s happened in layers.

Looking back, I see how my degree in archaeology, and work as an archaeologist, influenced the way I create. Excavating artifacts, brushing away dirt to reveal stories—those same skills show up when I layer materials on a canvas. I paint, collage, and build textures, only to peel back pieces and see what lies beneath. It’s a process of discovery, just like life itself.

My time as a photographer has also found its way into my work. Those years spent capturing the essence of actors, models, and performers in still images taught me how to see people—how to find that spark in a moment. Now, that skill breathes through the mixed media portraits I create. Each layer of paint, paper, and texture reflects pieces of the human spirit, giving my portraits a depth that feels connected to those experiences behind the lens.

Teaching has added its own layers, too. My years working at a mental health treatment center for youth gave me insight into the healing power of art. There, I learned to weave creativity into mental health practices, using mindfulness and meditation to guide young people toward healing. Nature became an essential part of that work. I led forest-bathing experiences and daily grounding practices outdoors, inviting others to slow down and connect with their senses. Now, those moments show up in my workshops, where I blend mindfulness, creativity, and healing in ways that feel organic and deeply rooted.

The hardest lessons, though, came from personal loss. Losing my daughter and leaving my teaching career were moments of heartbreak I never saw coming. Yet, somehow, I’ve found myself standing on the other side of those experiences, in a place more beautiful than I ever imagined. It’s like every thread from my past—every triumph and every sorrow—has woven itself into the life I live today. I create, I teach, I connect, and it feels right in a way I didn’t know was possible.

And now I’m wondering—how about you? Where are you in your journey of peeling back layers and adding new ones? What creative activities help you slow down and be present in the moment? When do you feel that sense of flow, where your mind quiets and your body follows?

Take a moment to reflect. When do you experience that stillness? What are you doing during those moments? And more importantly, how can you create space in your life for more of those experiences—those times when you can add layers, open up, and discover something new about yourself? Because those moments, however small, are where the magic happens. And I believe we all deserve more of them.

A Joy List for the Little Moments

If I need this, maybe you do too.

Lately, I’ve been reminding myself to slow down and notice the little joys—the ones that slip by unnoticed when life is moving too fast. The ones that don’t ask for attention but quietly bring comfort, warmth, or delight!

Like the way steam curls up from my morning coffee, swirling in the soft morning light of a quiet house.

Or the satisfying crunch of snow under my snowshoes on these crisp, bright, deeply cold days. That moment when the world is still, except for that rhythmic, grounding sound.

The comforting weight of a warm blanket wrapped around my shoulders as I ease into the day.

These small joys—they add up. And when we start noticing them, they seem to multiply.

So, I invite you to join me in this practice. Take a moment to notice one small joy today. And if you’d like, hit reply and share it with me. Next week, I’ll pass some of them along, and together, we can create a ripple effect of joy, lifting each other up in the simplest, most beautiful way.

Creative Tips to Inspire

Blanket of Comfort: Weaving Warmth into Layers

My Comfort Quilt!

There’s something about wrapping a blanket around your shoulders on a cold morning—it’s more than warmth; it’s a feeling of protection, a quiet moment of self-care before the day rushes in. What if we could bring that same sense of comfort into our art?

This week, I invite you to create a layered piece that feels as cozy as a morning blanket—something infused with texture, softness, and the quiet peace of a slow start to the day.

Gathering Your Materials: ☕ Scraps of fabric from an old sweater, scarf, or soft linen
☕ Handmade or textured papers with a fibrous, organic feel
☕ Bits of lace, muslin, or torn canvas for a worn-in softness
☕ Stitches, knots, or even loosely woven threads to symbolize the way comfort holds us together
☕ A warm, neutral color palette—soft creams, muted browns, deep rusts, and hints of golden morning light

As you create, notice what emotions surface. Does this piece feel like home? Like warmth? Like care? Mixed media is so much more than just layering materials—it’s layering feelings, memories, and the essence of what we need most in the moment.

And if you try this, I’d love to hear about it. Hit reply and tell me—what does comfort look like in your art? What small joy inspired you this week? Let’s gather them all and weave them into something even warmer. ❤️

Transform Your Art at the Collage Makers Summit

At the Collage Makers Summit you can boost your art skills, learn cool new collage techniques, and let your creativity run wild.

Early bird price is now available through March 16. Classes begin on March 17.

March 25: I’ll be teaching 'Freedom Feather: Layering Translucent Papers.'

Click to enroll now!

Over two weeks you will be taught by 15 collage artists who are excited to share a peek in to their creative process.

Right Now! Drew Steinbecker (Bonus Lesson)
March 17 Tara Axford, Remove from cart - using recycled materials in collage
March 18 Julie Hamilton, Collage zines
March 19 Esté MacLeod, Flowers ABC
March 20 Sally Hirst, Typo grids
March 21 Barb Smucker, Collage quilts
March 22 Connor Dainty, Minimal collage, creative splicing, & efficient sourcing
March 23 Margarete Miller, Collage clusters

March 24 Alison Wells, The power of 1 - Creating a monochromatic collage
March 25 Delight Rogers, Freedom feather: layering translucent papers
March 26 Lisa McKenna, Digital collages
March 27 Jackie Schomburg, Combining magazine pages and handmade collage papers
March 28 Sarah Short, Layers and lines: abstract collage
March 29 Jessa Dupuis, Adding depth to collages (on vintage book covers or paper)
March 30 Lori Siebert, Collaging with cardboard: adding dimension to collage

👉 FAQs: Questions you’ve had—Answered

What level is this course suitable for?
This class is for anyone who wants to learn more about creating collages. The material is suitable for both beginners and more intermediate artists.

What if I don't enjoy the classes?
We have a 100% money-back guarantee. If you feel like you don't get value from the classes, please email Drew and we will refund you the full amount.

Is it a one time payment or a subscription?
It's a one time payment, not a subscription. You pay only once and you have lifetime access to the content.

Looking forward to having you in the 2025 Collage Makers Summit!

Stay Connected & Inspired!

Enjoyed this post? Subscribe to the Creative Delight Studio newsletter to receive new blog posts, exclusive offers, creative tips, and studio updates—delivered straight to you!

Let’s create, explore, and nurture our creativity together.

👉 Sign up here! and watch for fresh inspiration in your inbox!

Thank you for being here, for sharing this space, and for embracing creativity as a path to connection and healing. Whether you're layering paint, adding softness to your days, or simply noticing the quiet joys, know that your journey is unfolding in its own beautiful way. Keep creating, keep discovering, and most of all, keep finding those moments of stillness that remind you of who you are.

With warmth,

P.S. If you are in the area, I will be offering the Wings Workshop in person on March 28th at The Annex Gallery in Bracebridge, Ontario. You can find out more and join right here!

I live and create on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg peoples, lands that remain under their original stewardship. I honor their enduring connection to this place and their care for it over generations.