One of the most exciting things for me to see is an artist, writer, or creative person breaking through, by which I mean finding themselves, experimenting, building an audience, feeling their own creative power.

Maria’s friend Emily Gold is such a person, the two met in Maria’s Belly Dancing class and have become close friends, they support one another’s creativity and ability to experiment.

Each has altered the work of the other in good and meaningful ways. Each sells their art on their blogs (Emily also sells her art at a farmer’s market) every time we visit, I find something that feels like a breakthrough today.

Emily Gold is a baking and collage artist, her collage work has really caught fire, she gives virtual lessons to reachers, mothers, grandmothers, families.

Like Maria, she is committed to her art, and to the sacrifices and difficulties of making a living in that way. Artists are almost always full of anxiety because their work is unpredictable and uncertain.

It takes a powerful spirit to plow through.

Every artist or writer is vulnerable in one way or another, none of us get regular paychecks.

I suspect she is one of those who will never quit, and like Maria, will only grow and change.

I’m not writing this because Maria is a friend – as many of you know, I don’t do that – but because she is the real deal. I do write about that, as well as about strong woman. Emily is a strong woman and a creative one, a sacred combination for me.

I wish most men could be as supportive of one another as so many women are.

I thought this portrait – collage portraits are uncommon –  was very different, showing depth and emotion in a way I think is very difficult in collage. Maria bought me this one, we have a pretty good Emily collection now.

You can check out her work here and also sign up for her increasingly popular online lessons, which she loves doing. She has even made collage kits for learners.

I’m no expert, but I’ve never seen collage quite like hers, and her enthusiasm and drive suggests a lot more to come. I’m honored to be a witness. You can see her work here.