Art helps us reconnect — to ourselves, and to each other.
Drawing Gave Him a Voice — and Gave Me a Calling
When my Dad moved into an assisted living facility, I saw his sense of identity begin to fade. One day he quietly said, “My house is gone. I don’t have a car, and I don’t have a job.” It was more than a statement — it was a reflection of deep loss, of wondering if he still had a purpose. Depression soon followed.
But something beautiful happened when we brought him a sketchpad and markers. This simple gesture had reminded him of his love for drawing cars. Despite Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and hands that trembled, he poured his focus into sketching. One drawing that still moves me today is of Mom peeking over the dashboard of his favorite 1950 Ford, as they took Sunday drives together for ice cream — a cherished memory.
He filled sketchbook after sketchbook. He became known in the activity room as “the guy who draws,” and everyone would gather around to see what he was working on. Even when he struggled to speak, his art spoke for him — connecting him to others, and restoring a sense of meaning and joy in his daily life.
Watching this unfold transformed me. I witnessed, firsthand, how creativity could reach beyond limitation, illness, and silence. That’s when I knew this was my path too — to help others reconnect with themselves, to ease anxiety and isolation, and to bring healing and expression through art.
— Nancy York, Founder, Creative Flow
After the Fall: How Art Helped Me Rise Again
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"After my fall, everything changed. I couldn't paint anymore — I couldn’t even figure out how to begin. As someone who once created freely, that loss was devastating. But through working with Nancy, something in me began to shift. Her gentle guidance, creative prompts, and intuitive approach helped me reconnect with my creative self, even when my brain felt scrambled.
With Nancy’s support and one of the creative prompts she provided, I created a self-portrait titled 'Betrayed by My Brain' and entered it into a professional art show. It was raw, emotional, and deeply personal. And to my surprise, it won first place in the multimedia category. I was able to express my grief, pain, and transformation through art — something I never thought possible again. Nancy didn’t just help me make art — she helped me reclaim a part of myself I thought was lost forever."
— Former Professional Artist & Workshop Participant
Creating Calm: The Power of Art to Soothe and Inspire
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"My daughter was incredibly anxious and withdrawn. She wouldn’t speak to anyone and clung to my hand, hiding behind her hair. But within just one workshop with Nancy, I watched her transform. Nancy’s gentle encouragement and the space to create made all the difference. My daughter slowly started painting, and by the end of the class, she was smiling, engaged, and so proud to show me her artwork. That day, she found confidence through creativity. It was nothing short of magic."
— Homeschool Parent
