Hi, I'm Linda
(also known as Dr. Linda Shanti).
Art has been a helper on my journey since i was a shy child who spoke in drawings more easily than words.
After my husband died of Pancreatic cancer, art saved my as* and helped me where words were not enough. I painted and collaged my way through the first year, wrote a book about it, earned certification in grief counseling and became a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association.
Expressing the Art of Grief
All of this experience helped give birth to the expressive arts coaching programs, Young Widows' group, SoulCollage® workshops, book, affirmation cards, and 1-on-1 coaching I now facilitate for others.
I understand the pain of grief and loss...and the joy of how expressive arts can hold it all: the pain and ugliness of grief as well as the butterflies of post traumatic growth. My aim is to hold space for you to find this place of growth and wisdom in yourself: to find your inner grief guide in a grief-illiterate culture.
Contact Us
Expressing the Art of Grief:
Expressing the Art of Grief:
Expressing the Art of Grief:
A 10-Session Creative Arts Journey for Women whose Person has Died
This small group program was created to help you stop listening to all the voices (grief illiterate culture, your inner critic) that tell what your grief “should” look like, and listen to your own inner wisdom to guide you on your grief journey.
In this small group coaching
A 10-Session Creative Arts Journey for Women whose Person has Died
This small group program was created to help you stop listening to all the voices (grief illiterate culture, your inner critic) that tell what your grief “should” look like, and listen to your own inner wisdom to guide you on your grief journey.
In this small group coaching program, we will use different modalities (guided meditation, left-right hand journalling, soulcollage®, universe boxes) to find your own inner grief guide. NO ART EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Really! And you will receive a free art supply box in the mail once you register.
This program provides a creative alternative or supplement to grief "talk therapy." We will use expressive arts practices (soulcollage, journalling, altered books, universe boxes, kindness rocks) to find the voice of Love, and Life, underneath the critic...and the grief. (Again, no artistic experience necessary! Really!) You will have the opportunity to connect with other women who "get it" and are on a grief journey with you.
It’s still there (your own wisdom and love).
You’re still here: alive and (sometimes) kicking.
Grief is hard.
But you're not broken.
You're grieving.
This program, aims to help you carry grief with grace.
Logistics:
Expressing the Art of Grief:
Expressing the Art of Grief:
WHAT: A 10-session Creative Arts Group Coaching Program
WHEN: 8 Friday group class sessions, 1:00-3:00pm EST, plus 2 Open Studio sessions Live, via zoom, plus online support.
Next session starts Fall, 2026
For more information/To apply: click here
This is a small group program, so space is limited!
When you register, You will receive a f
WHAT: A 10-session Creative Arts Group Coaching Program
WHEN: 8 Friday group class sessions, 1:00-3:00pm EST, plus 2 Open Studio sessions Live, via zoom, plus online support.
Next session starts Fall, 2026
For more information/To apply: click here
This is a small group program, so space is limited!
When you register, You will receive a fully stocked art supply box (oil pastels, multimedia sketch book journal, soulcollage supplies, watercolor paints, brushes, paint pens, free copy of Linda's book, wooden box to decorate, and candle for your creative altar).
What it's not:
Expressing the Art of Grief:
What it's not:
· Therapy
Though the act of making expressive arts can be extremely healing, as your facilitator, I will NOT be asesssing or diagnosing anyone in the group for mental illness or prolonged grief disorder.
· Fine art class
You will not be learning how to shade things, or trying to make pretty projects to hang on your wall. You will be makin
· Therapy
Though the act of making expressive arts can be extremely healing, as your facilitator, I will NOT be asesssing or diagnosing anyone in the group for mental illness or prolonged grief disorder.
· Fine art class
You will not be learning how to shade things, or trying to make pretty projects to hang on your wall. You will be making some pretty amazing creative expressions, like soulcollage® cards, altered books, and a Universe box, that you can use as an ongoing spiritual practice to access your inner wisdom. There is NO PREVIOUS ART EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
· Focused on "trauma bonding."
You can talk about your person. Crying is welcome! But we will not be sharing any details about how deaths occurred or encouarging the belief that you are broken as a result of what happened to you. This group is to support each other in moving forward, making and creating new meaning.
From former participants:
"I don't have to be an artist to do this
I had the experience of experimenting with art and not believing the thoughts of my inner critic...HUGE!
I love experimenting and playing with color. I don't have to be an "artist "to do this and enjoy it!!!
Opening up creativity in one area leads to creativity in other areas for me, too… so fun!...
...all of this inside of the direct EXPERIENCE in your group of being tenderly supported in experimenting
in the beautiful way you taught us to leave the critic aside. So fun! -Jeanne, Ashland, MA
"I would absolutely recommend this
... to a fellow widow. This has been an opportunity to express the unspeakable, be a witness for others, be seen and heard as I am and not as non-widows want me to be. A sisterhood like no other."
"The sense of community, being seen, and being able to express without judgement were the most fulfilling part of the program. I spend much of my 'outside' life sucking it up, holding it in, and not emoting. Having a safe place to do all those things was/is amazing!"
"Participating in this group made me realize how much I need to express emotions and experiences that I cannot formulate words to describe... words... just fail me when I think of losing (my husband), his illness, his death and his absence." -Kay, Pacifica, CA
Grief Affirmation Cards
A 40 card deck of original art and affirmations to...
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
...enough. Grief support should not be. See link below to order.
support you or a loved one on your grief journey. Grief is hard...
...enough. Grief support should not be. See link below to order.