Offering HeART and SoulCollage® workshops to inspire your creative spirit | | The Miracle of the Tree in the Rock | | |
Greetings!
My friend Kim sent me a photograph she had taken on a recent hike in Southeastern Oregon. The photo featured a sight that seemed impossible: a juniper tree rising straight out of solid stone. No soil, no softness, no invitation for roots—just rock. There it sits, strong and green, alive against all odds.
I keep looking at the photo over and over. The improbable image lingers with me, not only as a marvel of nature, but as a teacher of paradox – the impossible union of two incredible beings. How can something so rooted and alive find its beginning in what appears to be barren? How can life insist on flourishing in the most unwelcoming places?
There are moments in my own life that feel like rock—unyielding, heavy, immovable. Times when growth feels impossible, when the conditions for thriving seem absent. And yet, the juniper reminds me that mystery dwells in paradox. What we think cannot happen often does. Life has a way of cracking open impossibility, sending out roots where none should be able to take hold.
If you would have told me a decade ago that I would write an award-winning book, I would have scoffed at the idea. I was not a professional writer, certainly not an author. And yet step by step, with courage and dedication, my book took form. Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions is my “tree in the rock.” Impossible, yet it happened, one loving step at a time.
The tree in the rock invites me to hold reverence for the improbable, the mysterious, the places where beauty emerges out of contradiction. It asks me to trust that what seems like a dead end may in fact be the very place where something tenacious and sacred takes root. A recent TED radio hour episode ('What this musician’s identity crisis teaches us about navigating change") featured cellist Joshua Roman’s story about how his inability to play his cello during years of long covid birthed a whole new way of expressing his emotions through “Cynthia,” his cello. It’s an inspiring story.
Perhaps the invitation is simply this: to stand in awe at the mystery of what flourishes in your own life — especially in the places you least expected.
Reflection Practice: Your Tree in the Rock
- Take a quiet moment with your journal, sketchbook, or SoulCollage® cards. Reflect on this question: What is the “tree in the rock” in your own life—the place where growth or beauty has emerged from what once seemed impossible?
- You might write about it, create a small collage, or even sketch your own version of a tree growing from stone. Notice how life insists on flourishing in ways that defy reason.
- Keep this image close. Let it remind you that paradox is often the birthplace of mystery, resilience, and grace.
With a heart full of love and wonder,
GG
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Guided Passages
An invitation...
I was recently invited to serve on the Advisory Council for Guided Passages, a Youth Organization committed to creating transformational experiences for teens, young adults, and parents that deepen their connection to themselves, to others, and to the Earth. The mission is to help RAISE the next generation by nurturing Respect, Authenticity, Inclusion, Stewardship, and Empowerment -- guiding youth to rise with Confidence, Connection, and Courage.
Guided Passages believes that when young people feel seen, heard, and valued, they gain the tools and strength to step into their wholeness and share their unique gifts with the world. I agree 100%! Perhaps you agree, too?
If you feel called to support Guided Passages, please make a donation here; any amount is welcomed. Thank you for your consideration!
| Art and SoulCollage Offerings at GG's Down to Earth Studio | |
3rd Friday and Saturday SoulCollage® Gatherings
2026 Gatherings are now open for registration!
GG's Down to Earth Studio
240 Bush Street S., Salem, OR
GG's cell: 503.990.0278
Kim Buller and I will continue to team up to offer a series of SoulCollage® gatherings for the winter 2026 season. And the good news is that we will continue to offer once-a-month Saturday gatherings, too.
Give yourself the gifts of creativity and community. Come join us for a potentially life-changing experience in the safety of the Down to Earth Studio and in the company of kindred spirits.
Fall and Winter sessions are now open for registration. Email GG to be added to the lists.
Friday morning sessions: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Friday afternoon sessions: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Saturday morning sessions 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.
November Theme: “The Silence Between the Seasons” – As the world quiets and prepares for winter, what are you deeply grateful for, and what is it time to release into the stillness?
Friday morning (9-12) Nov 21st – Kim facilitates
Friday afternoon (1-4) Nov 21st – GG facilitates
Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Nov 22nd – Kim facilitates
December Theme: “The Light Within the Dark” – In the darkest time of the year, what light is guiding you as you step into the unknown?
Friday morning (9-12) Dec 19th – GG facilitates
Friday afternoon (1-4) Dec 19th – Kim facilitates
Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Dec 20th – GG facilitates
January Theme: "The Oracle Within" – Wisdom from your SoulCollage® Cards for the New Year (Note: This gathering is the 4th Saturday in January due to scheduling conflicts)
Friday morning (9-12) Jan 23rd – GG facilitates
Friday afternoon (1-4) Jan 23rd – Kim facilitates
Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Jan 24th – GG facilitates
February Theme: "Opening the Heart" – SoulCollage® as a Threshold for Acknowledging our Fear and Inviting in Love
Friday morning (9-12) Feb 20th – Kim facilitates
Friday afternoon (1-4) Feb 20th – GG facilitates
Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Feb 21st – Kim facilitates
March Theme: "Companions and Allies" – Sacred Totems for Belonging, Guidance, and Kinship
Friday morning (9-12) Mar 20th – GG facilitates
Friday afternoon (1-4) Mar 20th – Kim facilitates
Saturday morning (9:30 – 1) Mar 21st – GG facilitates
Note: Fee increase of $5 for 2026 sessions.
Starting in 2026, the sliding scale fee for SoulCollage sessions is $35 to $55. You can pay by Zelle (glendaanne@msn.com), Venmo (Glenda-Goodrich), or mail a check to GG at 240 Bush Street S., Salem, OR 97302.
You will need to pay in advance to reserve your spot. Thank you!
Cancellation policy: Full refund 7 or more days in advance, or if I can fill your spot.
Email GG to reserve your spot at any of these gatherings, or to get on the waiting list for sessions that are full.
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Print, Play, Repeat!
A Gelli Plate Printing Adventure
Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10 AM to 4 PM
Silverton Arts Association, Silverton, OR
Step into the joyful, unpredictable world of gelli plate printing! In this playful workshop, we’ll dive into layers of rich color, textures, and unexpected patterns using a simple gelatin-like printing plate. No experience is needed—just a willingness to explore and let go of perfection.
You’ll experiment with stencils, string, and your own intuitive mark-making to create one-of-a-kind prints that burst with personality. Each pull from the plate is a delightful surprise—sometimes bold, sometimes subtle, always unique.
By the end of the day, you’ll have a stack of vibrant prints to use in collage, journals, cards, or simply as stand-alone works of art.
Come ready to play, experiment, and let the magic of printmaking surprise you!
Workshop fee: $85.00 + a $20 material fee paid to instructor (all materials will be provided.)
Register with Silverton Arts here
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New Year , New Intentions: Shaping the Year Ahead With Images and Aspirations
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 11 AM to 3:00 PM
Art Department Supply Store, Salem, OR
What do you want to welcome into your life in 2026? What are you ready to release?
Collage your way into the life you're calling in!
Join us for encouragement, reflection, and connection with your vision for 2026. Use images and evocative words to create a richly layered collage that speaks to your heart. No art experience is needed -- just a willingness to explore, imagine, and trust your process.
A vision board is more than a collage of pictures and words -- it's a tool for manifestation. By choosing images that reflect your dreams, you bring clarity to what your heart truly desires. Seeing your board each day stirs your imagination and emotions, keeping your vision alive and active in your subconscious and opens space for synchronicity and possibility. Making a vision board is a ritual of intention. As you cut, arrange, and glue, you weave your energy into the year ahead, calling in the life you with to create, bringing your dreams to life one image at a time.
Supply List:
Purchasing supplies at the Art Department keeps them in business. Thank you for choosing local! All regular-priced supplies are available at 20% off from Art Department for this class.
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Scissors
- Glue stick
- Paper images and words (instructor will also bring lots of images and words as well as various sizes of mat board to select from).
Workshop fee: $65.00. Register with The Art Department here.
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Drum Making Workshop
Birthing the Sacred Drum:
A day of Creation, Connection & Ceremony
Two Days:
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 9 AM to 3:00 PM for drum making
and
Saturday, March 8, 2026 10 AM to 2 PM for a drum circle and painting party
Facilitated by GG and Linda Hopkins
GG's Down to Earth Studio
The drum is one of humanity’s oldest instruments, and across cultures it is far more than a tool for rhythm—it is a sacred vessel, a heartbeat, a bridge between worlds. Its cultural and spiritual roles weave a shared human story of connection, ceremony, and transformation.
Craft your drum with intention and heart, guided by tradition and spirit. You'll be birthing not only an instrument, but a living ally for your voice and journey. Come honor the circle, the heartbeat of Mother Earth, and the song within.
We will make our drums on 2/28 then return 2 weeks laer on 3/14 for a drum circle and painting party.
Workshop fee: $325 which includes a drum kit (hide will be deer or elk, depending on what is available) and drumstick and all supplies (The drum kit costs about $165.00+ postage from Canada, hence the more expensive registration fee.) $100 deposit due at registration.
Register with GG here.
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Mark Your Calendar!
Courting the Muse: Intuitive Creativity Retreat 2026
Tipi Village Retreats
Marcola, Oregon
June 11 - 15, 2026
Imagine spending four days nestled in the sanctuary of a rich green forest next to a babbling brook, sleeping in a cozy bed, being pampered with gourmet food, playing with paint and collage, and renewing that spontaneous, juicy, creative, soulful part of yourself. It’s all yours to enjoy in a community of kindred spirits.
GG and her co-facilitator will be your midwives clearing the way for you to step out of what you think is true about your creative self, and step into an environment where you feel free to birth whatever wants to be expressed.
Through a series of experimental exercises with paint, paper, and written and spoken words, you will explore a variety of techniques designed to bypass creative blocks and connect deeply with your personal serendipitous muse. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting to explore your creative potential, this workshop offers a supportive environment where you can freely experiment, awaken the subconscious, discover new creative pathways, build creative muscle, and develop a more profound connection with your mysterious and creative Self.
The Tipi Village Retreat center is a haven away from the ordinary. Located in the Mohawk Valley near Eugene/Oregon, it is the perfect location to step out of daily life for four days and step into a place where you are held by majestic trees and nourishing waters. Meander along the trails, nap in the shade, soak in the hot tub, or dip in the swimming hole, this place is intimate and magical – truly one of Oregon’s hidden emerald gems. Bring your swimsuit and dive in!
Registration information coming soon!
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Mark Your Calendar!
Soul Renewal withSoulCollage® 2026
Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort
September 18 - 21, 2026 (Women Only Weekend)
Join us for a soulful retreat at the serene and healing grounds of Breitenbush Hot Springs. Soul Renewal with SoulCollage invites you to reconnect with your inner landscape through the intuitive and transformative practice of SoulCollage®.
More details and registration info will be available in spring 2026.
| | | Solo Passage Book Awards and Placements | | Copies of Solo Passage are now available on my website here. | |
GG interviews GG
Here is a link to my latest podcast with Greg Gerber from Forward From 50.
| | Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention Award in Non-Fiction Inspirational | Next Generation Indie Books Award Finalist in Memoir | |
Bookfest First Place
Award Winner in Body, Mind, and Spirit
| Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention Award in General Nonfiction | | |
Firebird Book Award Winner First Place in Inspiration
First Place in Mind/Body/Spirit
First Place in Nature
First Place in Self-Help/Motivational
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Reader reviews of my book make a huge difference!
I would so appreciate it if you would leave a rating and maybe a few comments. You can leave a review on Amazon here. Thank you!
| Best Book Awards: Finalist in Nonfiction: Inspirational | | Foreword Indies Book Silver Medal Award Winner in Body, Mind, and Spirit | Global Book Award Finalist in Self-Help, Personal Transformation | |
NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite
in the category of Nature.
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CIBA Hearten Book Awards
Semi-finalist in Inspiring and Uplifting Non-fiction.
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Are you curious about what it means to work with the Art Doula? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation to see if art mentoring can take you to the next level in your creative life.
Here's a comment from recent client:
"I love how you think . . . and how you put questions to me. It's like there's gold at the bottom of the bucket and you are stirring the pot!"
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from my creative heart to yours,
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The Art Doula is here for you!
Come and discover, explore, and birth your unique creativity.
I am here to help you explore, discover, and birth more of your unique creativity. I'd so love to work with you to help your creative life blossom. Contact me for a free 30-minute preliminary consult.
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