Art that

sets you free

Therapeutic Art Making for Mind-Body Freedom

Private Artful Storywork · Therapeutic Art ·

Group Experiences

PAINT WHAT'S

HARD TO TALK ABOUT.

I help women use therapeutic art to express what’s hard to talk about, so they can find freedom in mind + body.

No art experience required.

Begin with a Conversation

Meet Shelley Henk, RN, BSN

Artist of the Soul

Healing Artist, Holistic Nurse + Emotional Release Facilitator

For more than 25 years, I’ve explored what helps us heal—first as a Registered Nurse, and then through my own experiences of grief, loss + finding my way back to myself. That journey eventually led me to whole-person wellness, emotional healing + therapeutic art.

My work explores the stories + emotions we carry that can be difficult to put into words, using color, shape, texture + movement to make the invisible visible.

I have a particular heart for helping women reclaim the parts of themselves they’ve learned to suppress—their emotions, voice, desires, creativity + God-given feminine power.

Through creativity, we give those parts permission to be seen, felt + expressed again.

I believe something doesn’t have to remain untouched to remain beautiful. Neither do we.

Creativity reconnects us—to ourselves, to what is true + to the Creator who made us to create.

Learn More about Shelley

1,000+ Women Served · Published Artist + Poet · Best-Selling Co-Author · Featured on PBS

WAYS TO WORK WITH ME

Private Artful Storywork
Artful Storywork For Groups

FINDING BEAUTIFUL™

A CREATIVE JOURNEY INTO FREEDOM.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

Explore Finding Beautiful

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way—things I had no words for.”


— Georgia O’Keeffe

MY SIGNATURE PROCESS

ARTFUL STORYWORK™

What the body feels, the canvas can reveal.

Artful Storywork™ is my intuitive art practice for exploring the feelings + stories that can be hard to put into words.

You don't need to know what to paint.

You don't need to be an artist.

Just start with what you feel.

STORIES FROM THE STUDIO

In their words.

  • “Shelley has extraordinary gifts of wisdom, creative expression, and truthful compassion

    She will guide you through your story in safety and help you find clarity. My time with her exceeded any expectations and the outcome is invaluable. I see my story clearly now and I am better equipped to move forward and make beauty from ashes.” Ashton Greer

  • “I have always considered myself artistic, but I never thought of applying that creativity to something as precious as my soul!

    Working with Shelley was such an incredible way to embrace the darks and the lights of my life and learn how they have complemented one another to create the woman that I am today. She helped me transform my mess into meaning and I left feeling empowered and proud of who I am.” — Jessica Smith

  • “Shelley is engaging, caring, and compassionate.

    Her passion for wholeness was contagious and we still find ourselves talking about the information she shared with us.”

    — Michelle Harding, Sr. Leader, Church of the King

  • "Using art to draw my past, seeing what is in my head on canvas in front of me has put an entirely new perspective on my life story.

    I have gone from guarded and defensive to being at peace and feeling loved by God. I'm ready to create my new story!”

    Jennifer Taylor

  • “The depth, sensitivity, and knowledge that Shelley brings to the table is exactly what I needed.

    She helps me connect dots that needed to be connected. I love how the origin is Christ-centered while science, biology, mental, and emotional components are incorporated and all needed to be addressed.”
    — Lisa Spokis

  • “Shelley has a unique ability to engage with people in all walks of life.

    She's not afraid to ask the tough questions that evoke deeper thoughts and emotions... I value her guidance in the importance of connecting my body, mind and spirit to live my most abundant life.”
    — Kim Henry

  • “Shelley used her gifts to help me pull back layers of hurt, scars, wounds, and childhood obstacles I had carried for 42 years.

    I became vulnerable in front of an audience of people I had never met. As Shelley ministered to me and I painted, my heart opened and I revisited moments in my life I never thought I would talk about publicly. This was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had.”
    — KD Sanders

  • “I was amazed at how expertly Shelley asked questions that helped me think about not only what happened to me, but how I interpreted those experiences and why I responded the way I did.

    She helped me see how things I thought had been taken from me could become the impetus for my greatest passion. Not only does Shelley know what she is doing, she makes you feel like the most important thing she has to do in that moment is be present with you. It was an amazing experience.”
    — Dan Thomas, Pastor & Coach

  • “Shelley has encouraged me to explore the gift of a ‘blank canvas’ life.

    “Shelley has encouraged me to explore the gift of a ‘blank canvas’ life. She has gifted me through her wisdom and knowledge the tools I needed to be the Creator and Artist of my life.”
    — Taylor

  • “For years I’ve searched for someone to help me understand & navigate my history while pushing me to LIVE forward…

    Shelley teaches methods to help deal with the triggers, yet keep moving forward so I can honor who I am at my core while acknowledging the feelings and emotions that come along with it. No more suppression. No more numbness. Only a fierceness to embrace who I am and stand in my truth.” Emily B.

  • “My experience with Shelley has been extraordinary.

    The depth and sensitivity and knowledge that Shelley brings to the table is exactly what I needed. She helps me connect dots that needed to be connected. She made me feel accepted and normal and encouraged on my journey. I love how the origin is Christ centered while science, biology, mental, and emotional components are incorporated and all needed to be addressed. Shelley truly considers all aspects of healing and I’m so glad we connected.”
    — Kim LaPilusa

  • “I was able to process through some deep grief I had been pressing down for over 2 years.

    I left my session feeling much lighter and more joyful than I had in a very long time. Now I am able to remember that difficult time, allow the emotion to well up and work through it, and not become overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of grief again.”
    — Brady

  • Shelley helped me uncover unconscious blocks keeping me stuck.

    How the anxiety I was experiencing was actually a gift, guiding me into my next evolution as a leader. Anxiety no longer controls me. When I feel anxious, I know what to do and I can access the wisdom of the story my body is trying to tell and I know its roots.”
    — Chris

  • “Shelley is a true gift!

    Her deep knowledge and personal experience with trauma and chronic illness gives her such compassion and passion! She has helped me rewrite my story learning to love who I once was and focus on who God created me to be. Helping me awaken to new possibilities, gain clarity on the future I want to create and empowering me take action to live an abundant and beautiful future!”
    — Andrea Farrell

  • “Shelley’s unique style and compassion for emotional wellness helped me achieve a higher level of self-awareness that I didn’t even know existed.

    Her process helped me align my heart and my head and begin viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth. I took a leap of faith on Shelley and received the gift of seeing my life through a completely different lens.”
    — Michelle Maxwell

  • “Shelley helps you realize through her past experiences, that you too can bust through the barrier of pain and see suffering with beauty and purpose.

    She shares how looking backward to unearth your story allows you to let go and embrace forgiveness, love, and purpose.” Katy H.

  • “Shelley has a unique way of seeing the world as she helps you dig up beauty from the ugly.

    She makes a complicated task of transformation feel simple.” - Daisy

ARTWORK

Original works + commissioned paintings

COMMISSIONED ARTWORK

ART THAT RESTORES

PAINTING · POEM · YOUR STORY

Turn what matters to you into an original abstract painting + poem.

Begins at $497

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THE EARTH COLLECTION™

Coming Soon

Earth as body. Body as landscape.

Soil · stone · roots · clay · breath.

An original collection exploring what lies beneath the surface—where earth becomes body + body becomes landscape.

A LITTLE CREATIVITY FOR YOUR INBOX.

STUDIO LETTERS

Notes on creativity, spirituality, coming alive, and studio releases.

JOIN STUDIO LETTERS — IT'S FREE

CREATIVITY IS THE NEW LUXURY.

Begin with a Conversation

Scope of Practice

Whole Soul Studio™ offers educational, creative + spiritual-growth experiences for personal development and well-being. Artful Storywork™ and Finding Beautiful™ are not psychotherapy or medical treatment and are not intended to diagnose or treat mental health or medical conditions. Shelley's RN background informs her whole-person educational perspective; services offered through Whole Soul Studio™ are not a substitute for individualized medical or mental-health care.