An Evening of Paint, Presence, and Connection at Ruya
I’m sitting at Ruya right now, during happy hour, sipping the Blueberry Bee mocktail, which is absolutely delicious. There’s a gentle hum in the room, jazz house music playing in the background (I’ve been bouncing to the vibe), and that familiar feeling of warmth that made this place feel like the perfect home for our first Art + Healing gathering.
It felt right to write this reflection here.
A few weeks ago, this space was filled with watercolor palettes, journals, cups of tea, wine glasses, and 18 women who chose to slow down together. Some came alone. Some came with friends. All arrived with an openness that made the room feel instantly safe.
I’ve been carrying so much gratitude since that day.
Supporting women-owned businesses has always mattered deeply to me because I know firsthand how much courage it takes to build something from your heart. Sarah Aitcadi, the founder of Ruya, welcomed us into this space with such care and intention. The warmth you feel when you walk through the door isn’t accidental ~ it’s cultivated. And that energy shaped the entire gathering.
This event was the manifestation of a vision I’ve been nurturing for over a year: to create spaces that honor the healing power of art, community, and creative expression. Without pressure to perform or produce something “perfect.”
Watercolor painting has been a grounding practice in my own healing journey. During a season marked by an endometriosis diagnosis, a life-changing surgery, and years of learning how to calm my nervous system, painting became a way for me to breathe again. It helped me come home to myself. It helped me listen. It helped me reconnect with my voice.
To now share that practice with other women feels incredibly sacred.
That afternoon, I watched women journal, paint, laugh, tear up, and simply be. There was no rushing. No comparison. Just presence. And it reminded me that creativity doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it works quietly, beneath the surface, doing exactly what it needs to do.
I’m also deeply grateful to my husband, Imani Lenz, through Film Trips for capturing the softness of that day. Having photos and video allows us to revisit both what it looked like and how it felt. The connection. The ease. The version of yourself you met when you gave yourself permission to slow down.
As I sit here now, reflecting with a drink in hand (I’m on my second drink, a Turmeric Tonic herbal tea, which is so warming to my soul), I feel both grounded and excited.
This first gathering affirmed something I already knew in my body: this work matters. And there is room ~ and a need ~ for spaces like this.
Planting Seeds for the Year Ahead
With that spirit, I’m looking forward to our next gathering at Ruya! Plant Seeds for the Year Ahead is a gentle Art + Healing paint gathering designed for women to welcome the new year with intention, creativity, and calm.
Rather than asking “What should I accomplish this year?” we’ll explore a softer question together: What wants to be nurtured and given time to grow?
Through watercolor painting, reflection, and shared presence, we’ll honor winter as a season of preparation. Trust that the clarity and momentum will unfold in its own time.
No art experience is needed. This space is about presence, not perfection.
If you’ve been craving a slower, more intentional way to begin the year, you’re warmly invited to join us.
