Nurture the artist within
An inner-child healing art course for joy-seeking creatives. The next cohort starts April 27th 2026!
Inner child healing isn’t about digging up the past; it's about painting a new future.
One where your art gets to become your personal playground for joy, relief, grieving and growth.
A place where your inner child finds peace.
What if I told you that your biggest breakthrough as an artist right now lies in reconnecting with your innocence?
What if I told you that there was a way to free yourself from the pains of the past, and move forward fearlessly with more purpose and confidence than ever before…
All without it needing to feel so serious and isolating all the time?
Maybe you’ve spent the last few months (or even years) trying to show up for yourself and your art, only to continue feeling stuck and defeated. The same patterns playing out on repeat; self sabotage at its finest.
Maybe you’re someone who's tried all the things - working on your mental health, going to therapy - only to still face the same hurdles when it comes to starting creative projects. You know it’s time to try new things and start thinking bigger.
Maybe every time you get ahead, perfectionism decides to kick in. You feel like an imposter, and the overwhelm of comparison completely takes over. You’re feeling lost and confused - cue “what am I even doing with my life?!”
You’re done with not believing in yourself and letting past traumas keep you trapped.
Sound familiar?
Does this sound familiar?
Firstly, I want you to know - you’re not alone. I’ve been exactly where you are, and I get it!
And, I need you to know that it doesn’t have to be this way anymore.
Let me introduce you to...
An 8-week self discovery journey of personal therapeutic art processes designed to help you connect with your inner child, rewrite the stories of your past and unlock a whole new level of creative freedom and wellbeing in your life.
Unlike art therapy, Soul Stir invites you to use creative exploration to make meaning of your own story. Your healing is born from your own hands as you move through different modalities and healing arts practices, allowing you to truly express yourself through the creative process.
No more tracing the edges of your potential and doubting your worthiness…
Together, I’m going to guide you through 8 weeks of creative experimentation, healing and self enquiry so that art can become your safe space to:
Prioritize joy and creative expression in your life again
Find the intrinsic motivation you need to consistently show up for yourself
Expand beyond self sabotage and reclaim your worthiness
Create momentum in your art and life, releasing the fear of making a wrong decision
Learn new tools for ongoing healing and growth
Alchemise your trauma into a deeper understanding of yourself
Cultivate deeper self love and self compassion
And finally discover what you’re truly capable of.
Together we’ll explore the impact of your childhood experiences on your real-time personal and creative struggles, and learn how to process and release emotional pain; all while rediscovering a sense of joy and playfulness through creative expression.
Who is this for?
The artist that’s ready to call themselves an artist! Who wants to be less enraged by comparison or jealousy, and more in awe of their own creative expression.
The artist who feels trapped by their trauma and disconnected from their art. It’s time to come out the other side feeling renewed and recharged.
The art-curious human who’s ready to dabble, play and experiment with their curiosity - you’re ready to know yourself deeper.
The woman who’s tired of putting her creativity on the backburner, and knows she deserves more! No more feeling afraid to be seen or feeling unsafe to express yourself - it’s your turn to prioritize joy and healing.
Whether you’re an established artist, aspiring artist or purely curious about cultivating a creative relationship with your own healing and wellbeing, this space is for you. Art does not discriminate - let’s alchemize your pain into a powerful new story.
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
— Pablo Picasso
Meet your guide… Alaysha Mahmutoglu
Addict to Artist. Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher. Art therapy Practitioner.
No stranger to trauma, I can tell you that learning to reconnect with my inner child through art has completely transformed my life.
During the many years that I struggled with mental health issues and unhealthy coping strategies, I let all my artistic abilities fall to the wayside. I didn’t so much as pick up a brush, so when I did finally return to art, a fire was reignited. But it would be a slow journey of finding safety within myself again.
I dove into self study, learning how to heal from trauma through art, meditation, journaling and experiential learning through the body and breath. And I decided to listen to that voice inside me that said I was deserving, I was capable and I could climb my way back up out of the darkness, if only I put one foot in front of the other. And so that’s what I did.
Slowly, those micro moments of feeling worthy and feeling confident in my abilities started stacking. For the first time, I was able to post a picture of my art without feeling like I was going to throw up or worry if someone was going to like it or not.
Healing my inner child through art helped me find myself again. I achieved sobriety, found success as a full time artist, cultivated self love and now it’s my turn to pay it forward and share everything I’ve learned with you. Healing isn’t easy, but it creates a ripple effect in your life that when channeled through the playful curiosity and innocence of your inner child, can become the most enriching foundation of your art and your life.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
When Artists come together to heal…
When Artists come together to heal…
Just like we can bond over our trauma, we can also bond over our healing. And when you create and heal within a community, you’re not only seen and supported in your journey, but you also begin to see your own work in a whole new light. Emotions and perspectives are revealed that you may not have ever recognized before, unlocking the conversations needed to truly liberate your heart and your creativity.
With each project, you’ll get a front row seat to your own progress - something that’s often so internalized in the healing process. As you renew your love for the messy, unpredictable ride of creativity, vulnerability and self-discovery, you’ll have a community of artists right there with you to remind you just how far you’ve come (and how much goodness awaits you).
"Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter."
— Brian Solis
No matter where you are on your ‘healing journey’, you are right on time.
You are capable of coming out of the darkness, and coming out on the other side to a calmer and more purposeful way of life.
Yes, the world needs your art, but more importantly, your inner child needs you to take her hand.
Together, the two of you have a blank canvas ahead of you.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Over 8 weeks you’ll be guided through 8 themed modules and individual art projects, specifically curated to support you on your healing journey. You’ll reconnect to your body and your hands, bring mindfulness to your creative process and find presence in the moment as you lean on the accountability and motivation you need to unleash your creativity.
Alongside self-paced audio lessons, meditations and writing prompts, you’ll create and experiment with new art mediums, concepts and materials each week that integrate the relevant themes and lessons, sharing your art with the group at the end of each week. I know- that’s the scary part, but I promise you’ll soon fall in love with the process.
Week 1 - Inner Child Connection through Collage
Connecting to your inner child
Barriers to inner child healing and holistic approaches to overcome them
Creating the inner safety you need to create
Week 2 - Emotional Expression through Free Form Drawing & Slow Art
Developing a drawing practice that nurtures your inner child
Discipline & self discovery
Pushing past the obvious into the extraordinary by trusting the process through intentional repetition
Week 3 - Slowing down and reconnecting to art and nature
Releasing childhood wounds
Reconnecting through nature and traditional Japanese flower pounding
Week 4 - Reconnecting to your innocence through felting
Reconnect to that innocent part of yourself
Crafting a new art method
Learning about the power of manifestation
Week 5 - Painting Technique Tracing and Painting Life-Like
Barriers to inner child healing and holistic approaches to overcome them.
Creating the inner safety you need to create
Week 6 - The Power of Art in Building Community & Connection through Textured Art
The healing and bonding potential of sharing your art
How to receive creative feedback and apply it to your artistic growth
Week 7 - Thinking Bigger with Large Scale Art
Overcoming perceived obstacles
Expanding your perception of possibility
Week 8 - Embracing vulnerability through Body Painting
Alternative self expression
How to create raw and honest work
If you’re ready to…
Pour into your own healing and transform your life (with your creative expression at the forefront)
Learn how to love yourself - once and for all.
Try new things by exploring new healing modalities for your creative wellbeing
And embrace new personal challenges that show you exactly what you’re capable of…
Then you're in the right place!
Who this is NOT for…
It’s no secret that with healing comes discomfort. This course will require you to be a willing participant in your healing and that means being willing to experiment, try new things and as a result, potentially embarrass yourself and fail. You will be pushed outside of your comfort zone - if fear is going to hold you back from being an active participant, then this course may not be for you right now.
But know this…
No matter how stuck you feel right now, there is always a way out. It will require that you change your mindset, express your emotions and release the fears holding you back, but when done in safe spaces that nurture your healing (like Soul Stir), you get to grow from your pain and never look back.
You just have to be willing to take that first step towards your inner child and let her lead the way.
Start Your Journey
On behalf of your future self, thank you for putting yourself in the way of inspiration and believing in something more for yourself. I can already envision the pride in your heart 8 weeks from now as you look across at all your projects side by side, knowing the inner shadows you had to overcome to get there.
And on behalf of your inner child, know that she’s eagerly awaiting your hand. Together, you are so much more capable than you realize and I’m so excited to guide you home.
I will be right there along side you for the entire duration of the course.
See you on the inside x