Intimate, process-oriented group work and individual therapy for self-doubting women who want to shift their relationship with their inner critic and start accepting themselves with compassion so they can feel more confident and connected.

Hello Beautiful Creative Soul!

Wild and Free Painting is an indulgent, nourishing, and comfortable Process Painting Art Studio for self-care, personal growth and exploration. It’s a respite you can come to where you are encouraged to leave the expectation to produce, perform and succeed behind. In this space you are invited to take off the masks and the stories that have been handed down to you and instead create your own path.

You already have everything you need to lead a creative life.

I know you have been searching for a long time for someone or something that can help you get back in touch with your CREATIVE self. You are in the right place and I am SO happy we found each other.

I typically work with women in individual sessions or intimate groups who are experiencing some sort of life transition and as a result, feel stuck and disconnected from their sense of self. 

Join us and give yourself the opportunity to rediscover your creativity alongside other women looking to do the same.

The women I work with are:

  • Exhausted by their inner critic

  • Constantly judging themselves to the point of being stuck

  • Always feels pressure to produce, perform and succeed

  • Disconnected from themselves

  • Bored and shut down from their creative self

Does this sound like you?

We use a hands-on and highly creative experience to build a new relationship with your:

  • Inner critic

  • Self-judgment

  • Loneliness

  • “I'm not good enough” thinking

It’s time to find more acceptance and compassion for yourself.

What is Process Painting?

Simply said — it’s painting from the inside out.

We focus on the act of painting itself and your experience while painting rather than the final art product. We celebrate your creativity in all of its authentic form and return to the idea that creative expression can serve as a tool to heal, connect, uncover, reclaim, and discover. We let your heart, energy, and intuition lead the way. Experiencing this process helps women feel a deeper connection within themselves and in turn feel more satisfied and connected in all of their relationships.

Say YES to your own self-care, say YES to believing you are worth it, and say YES to knowing you are enough, just the way you are.

Absolutely no prior art experience is necessary to enjoy the benefit of this process.

Process Painting Women’s Groups

Individual and Group Sessions Available

Hi!

I'm Elissa, a wild and free artist, art therapist, and process painting facilitator, passionate about using the elements of creativity to help support and enliven your every day.

I believe you already have everything you need to lead a full, satisfying, and deeply meaningful life. As a guide and nurturer of your creative spirit, we work together to reclaim, discover and uncover aspects of self that you lost touch with or weren't even aware you had. It's one of the greatest adventures and one that I am honored to journey alongside you.

Read a bit more about my experience and why I love what I do.

  • I loved that there was no judgement, no expectation of what should be it was just what is. I loved sharing the space with other women and Art Therapists. It felt like a community of women out there that are typically on our own having a chance to unite in a shared love and understanding of the power of making art. Elissa, you are a wonderful facilitator. Your warmth and interest shine through in every session. Thank you for sharing you and your gifts with me.

    Donna S -

  • What I can say about this experience was that it was incredibly loving to my nervous system. It challenged me to lean deeper into my being and provided me with a space to sprinkle those parts of myself in a soothing and loving group. Elissa is gentle and light and tender and strong. Check out her offerings and give it a try if you hear the call. February 2021

    Sue R -

  • This group was an exciting and inspirational way to reconnect with my creative self. The opportunity to connect with others around the country was a bonus for me and made the experience rich in an unexpected way. Elissa was a wonderful support and gentle guide. Going on this journey with other women who were art therapists was wonderful since we all had something in common and managed to carve out some creative space in our lives and focus on ourselves and our process. March 2021

    Elia S -

  • This was a truly unique opportunity to engage in art in a way that focused on self care and showing up for oneself. Being able to do the group virtually helped me to develop a routine in my own space to engage with art making regularly and put into place a practice that I had felt completely disconnected from. It was wonderful to come together with other women having the same experiences and be able to learn to let go and feel creative again. March 2021

    Samantha D -

  • I'm very grateful for the opportunity to attend a workshop at Wild and Free Painting. I forgot how therapeutic painting was for me. That it's not about making art for anyone but myself; how the process itself is where the magic is. Art was such an important part of my life and I allowed myself to create an "I'm not good enough, I'm too much of an academic to be an artist," story. I stuffed this part of me away as I became a science teacher and now I realize that it can all exist together. December 2018

    Dani G -

  • I loved participating in this group! It enriched my experience as an artist and as an art therapist. I loved the gentle check-ins about our paintings. Even on Zoom , it felt like we were all connected while working on our own as Elissa checked in with each of us. Elissa was both encouraging and curious, asking us questions that would deepen our connection with our work.

    Courtney P -

  • Elissa’s process painting class is simply exquisite. I was blown away in the session I attended with how skillfully she helped each participant show up and be fully present for what was true in that moment. I witnessed so much bravery and vulnerability as we all moved past familiar patterns to a deeper connection to what our souls were longing to express. I can’t wait for my next session! May 2018

    Jennifer L -

  • Elissa, Thank you so much for the Process Painting Continuing Education event you facilitated for the New York Art Therapy Association (NYATA). Your guidance was phenomenal through the process and your presentation at the beginning was very informative. Folks that attended gained so much from attending - myself included.

    NYATA Board of Directors

  • I wanted to say thank you so much for all the help you have given me in my life~especialy now during such trying times. This process still captivates me~ignites me - I love it! My healed heart shows how the work works! My hope is to see you again in some form of smiles, laughter, tears of joy, and a possible hug!

    Denise S -

  • I was very familiar with Process Painting when I started this journey, but Elissa takes it to a whole new level. The journey and lessons that have unfolded for me over time blow my mind. This is 100% due to the supportive space and gentle guidance Elissa provides. Process Painting has become an essential component of my self-care.

    Jennifer L -

  • I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to meet you and participate in your class. It was great to learn about and experience Process Painting, and I found it very therapeutic. Thank you for creating a safe space for us to turn inward and for acknowledging our experiences as Social Workers and as women! I’ll definitely pass your information along to anyone who might benefit.

    Victoria P -

  • I just wanted to give you a shout-out for creating an enlightening and experiential class on Zoom!!! Holy moly what a feat. Many thanks for fitting me in last night. I enjoyed the process and realized that I really needed it.

    Betsy K -

  • Thank you Wild and Free Painting for such an inspiring experience at my first Process Painting workshop at Ocean waves Wellness. Such a freeing experience to paint, without specific directions, rules, or expectations. Just free to explore color, without thinking of how the canvas is “supposed” to turn out. Truly a metaphor for moving forward in one’s journey in life. Sometimes, trusting your own process and trusting your own instincts will lead you to exactly where you need to be.

    Kerri W. PhD — Founder of Ocean Waves Wellness Center

  • My first process painting was quite cathartic. I went in without any expectations. Elissa was so helpful in gently guiding me through the process. This really helped me to channel the emotions I had been struggling to come to terms with the past weeks. Elissa succeeded in creating a judgment-free space in which I felt free to explore and feel my emotions and express them on canvas. I highly recommend it!

    Amy P -

  • Painting has always been a great love of mine. The idea of having a blank canvas in front of me and creating something all mine is beautiful in itself. So, when I had the opportunity to be a part of a class where not only do you get to paint but you also get insight into emotions expressed through the painting, I jumped right in. Elissa is a kind and knowledgeable therapist who truly loves what she does and wants to share her expertise with anyone who is open to the process. From the start of the class to the end it is calming, stress-free, and fun. The best part is no experience is needed and you walk away knowing yourself better. I highly recommend Wild and Free Painting!

    Jennifer S -