Ep 146 Patricia Brubaker with Design Poetry & Artists Rising Retreats
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
Release Date: 09/14/2023
Nothing Has Been Wasted: It’s Never Too Late to Become More | Deborah Andress of The Tattered Artist
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
Nothing Has Been Wasted: It’s Never Too Late to Become More | Deborah Andress What if not a single chapter of your life has been wasted? In Episode 25 of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with Deborah Watson Andress, founder of The Tattered Artist, for an inspiring conversation about creativity, faith, resilience, family, legacy, and continuing to become at every age. Now in her 70s, Deborah has a message she especially wants women over 55 to hear: God has not wasted a single chapter of your story. From her home studio in South Alabama, Deborah creates mixed-media art...
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How to Reinvent Yourself Without Waiting for Perfect | Artist Deb Kraska
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if the life you're dreaming about is waiting on the other side of one brave decision? In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with artist, educator, and entrepreneur Deb Kraska for a heartfelt conversation about courage, creativity, reinvention, and learning to trust yourself through life's transitions. For more than 26 years, Deb has inspired students as an eighth-grade computer science teacher. At the same time, she spent nearly a decade building a thriving brick-and-mortar creative business before making the difficult decision to close its doors—not...
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How Creativity Changes Lives: The Possibility Loop with Occupational Therapist Pamela Fox Denzler
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if the greatest gift we could offer someone wasn't fixing their challenges—but helping them discover new possibilities? In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with occupational therapist, author, speaker, and founder of Pam's Den of Creative Fun, Pamela Fox Denzler, to explore what it truly means to help people of all abilities thrive. Pam has spent more than 40 years supporting adults with developmental disabilities while empowering caregivers, activity professionals, educators, organizations, and families with practical, creative strategies that...
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Trust the Mark | Marlene Steele on Creativity, Courage & Beginning Again
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if the masterpiece you're creating—whether it's a painting, a business, or your life—isn't finished yet? In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with contemporary mixed-media artist, furniture artist, creative educator, and DIY Paint retailer Marlene Steele as she prepares to close one remarkable chapter and step fully into another. After more than 30 years in the corporate technology world, Marlene is retiring to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. But this conversation isn't simply about leaving a career. It's about learning to trust...
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The Art of Seeing Possibility | Kelly Huskins on Design, Healing & Creative Courage
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if your greatest creative gift is seeing what others overlook? In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with Kelly Huskins, artist, entrepreneur, YouTube creator, and the creative force behind Whimsykel Designs, a decoupage paper brand known for bold storytelling, expressive color, and imaginative designs that help artists transform ordinary pieces into meaningful works of art. Kelly's creative journey has taken her through stained glass, faux finishing, upholstery, interior decorating, painted furniture, product development, subscription boxes, retail...
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How Creativity Helped Me Begin Again | Lori Morgan on Grief, Reinvention & Building Tom & Chickpea
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What happens when life changes in an instant? In this heartfelt episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with Lori Morgan, founder and creative force behind Tom & Chickpea, a beloved furniture painting and creative studio in Derry, New Hampshire. Lori's story is one of resilience, reinvention, creativity, and community. After the sudden loss of her husband Tom in 2017, Lori found herself navigating unimaginable grief while raising two young children. About a year later, she picked up a paintbrush—and that simple act became the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Today, Lori is...
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Your Life as a Work of Art | Diana von Welanetz Wentworth on Purpose, Grief, Creativity & Living Fully
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What does it mean to truly live with intention? In this deeply moving episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with Diana von Welanetz Wentworth—New York Times bestselling author, speaker, life coach, media personality, former celebrity chef, and co-founder of The Inside Edge, a transformational community that hosted voices like Louise Hay, Ram Dass, Jack Canfield, and Mark Victor Hansen. At 85 years old, Diana radiates wisdom, presence, creativity, and joy in a way that feels both grounding and expansive. She describes herself as someone who is not winding down, but “composing the...
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Inside Women Create: Susan Harold on Creativity, Purpose & The Art of Coming Full Circle
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if the path you’re meant for… is the one you return to? In this episode, Susan Harold shares how decades in publishing led her back to a role that feels both unexpected—and exactly right. In this inspiring episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, I sit down with Susan Harold—Editor-in-Chief of Where Women Create and What Women Create, and author of the stunning coffee table book The Art of the Studio. With over 30 years in magazine publishing, circulation, and editorial leadership, Susan has spent her career shaping creative storytelling and championing the maker community. In...
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Color, Calling, and Courage: Casey Alvarez on Faith, Creativity, and Building a Life Through Art
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if your creativity wasn’t just a talent—but a calling? In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange, Dionne Woods sits down with artist Casey Alvarez, a Missouri-based painter, entrepreneur, and former Christian counselor who has built a thriving creative business rooted in faith, color, and purpose. From painting large European-style armoires on her farm in the Ozarks to shipping her work to 46 states, Casey shares how she transformed her love of creativity into a meaningful and sustainable career. But this conversation goes deeper than art. Casey opens up about: • How her...
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The Courage to Be Seen: ShenShen210 on Graffiti, Faith, and the Power of Vulnerability
The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods
What if your greatest creative superpower wasn’t talent—but vulnerability? In this episode of The Motivatarian Exchange with Dionne Woods, Dionne sits down with groundbreaking portrait artist ShenShen210 for a conversation that moves from freight trains and graffiti culture to faith, purpose, and the courage to fully embody who you were created to be. Growing up in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Shen began painting at just 15 years old—eventually becoming known as one of the first female freight train graffiti artists on the West Coast. At a time when the street art world was...
info_outlineDionne Woods talks with Patricia Brubaker, owner of The Connecticut River Valley Inn in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Patricia is a lifestyle artist, multi-passionate creative entrepreneur, and art biz educator who has combined her passions into a creative place where she hosts all-inclusive art retreats of all kinds. Patricia hosts her own retreats but also invites other creatives who love to teach to bring their community together in a warm and creative space.
Patricia is the visionary behind her 5-star boutique inn which offers accommodations, event space, an art studio, and garden rooms for creating truly memorable events. Her vision is to infuse her artistic style throughout the property.. wherever you look.
She and her husband of 35 years, Wayne, want you to have such an awesome experience that you never want to leave!
Patricia believes it is never too late to create. She hopes her wisdom from a lifetime of creativity and challenges will encourage you to become your own creative powerhouse.
Her art biz name, Design Poetry was born from her favorite Georgia O’Keefe quote: “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.”
Design Poetry: arranging elements and details in her art in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm, using art as a language to express thoughts and emotions without using words.
Patricia encourages everyone to become their own “Design Poet” whether it is decorating your home, in the fashion you wear, in the gardens you tend or the food you prepare…
Upcoming Events: 2024 and 2925 Art Retreats at The Connecticut River Valley Inn are now up and ready for you to register. Take your art to the next level while relaxing in a beautiful New England setting just steps from the Connecticut River.
Holiday Home Tour: Sat December 2, 2023. Tickets required
Patricia is looking for 8 emerging artists just getting established with e-commerce to take part in a week-long beta “in person” art biz Bootcamp which would take place at her New England property.
DM on Instagram for more info
Fun Facts: Patricia and her husband, Wayne are Connecticut natives
Together they have four children and 10 grandchildren
They are also “dog parents” to 3 spunky rescue Chihuahuas
Because renovating and restoring a 1740 antique estate was not challenging enough, They just purchased a classic 44-foot motor yacht in the “rum runner” style which they are restoring (because obviously they don’t have anything else to do!!) they hope to offer tours on the Connecticut river in 2024 as part of the New England experience when staying at their property.