Speaking & Teaching
Trust. Play. Love. Paint.
Invite Nancy to Speak or Teach at your next event …
To Inspire your audience to Activate Their Journey of CREATIVE SELF EXPRESSION and get them fully engaged on social media talking about your event and what they experienced
Nancy Hillis, M.D. is an abstract artist, existential psychiatrist and founder of The Artist’s Journey Psychotherapy Program and The Artist’s Journey abstract painting and creativity workshops, classes and presentations. She studied radiology at Harvard, psychiatry at Stanford and abstract art from Steven Aimone.
As an artist, author and psychiatrist she’s guided over 50,000 students all over the world to deeply explore and experiment in their art in order to find and trust their authentic self expression.
Nancy is featured in the New York Observer (Should Artists Fear Therapy?) about her work counseling artists, as well as in The Registrar of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (The Artist and Psychiatrist: Interview with Dr. Nancy Hillis) and the Stanford magazine Bench & Bedside (Art and Soul: Medicine Meets Creative Expression).
Nancy is also featured in Jeanine Blackwell’s book: The Expert Called You as well as in Inc. magazine.
Some Key Facts and Stats Include:
- Instagram page: over 49K followers
- Pinterest Account: over 841K monthly viewers
- Amazon Books Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- 20K+ Monthly unique visits on her website.
Nancy Hillis’ Bio
Nancy Hillis is an existential psychiatrist, author and abstract artist who lives and works in Santa Cruz, California. As a physician she studied radiology at Harvard and psychiatry at Stanford. Her lifelong studies in creativity spurred her to write the bestselling book The Artist’s Journey in 2018 as well as to create The Artist’s Journey courses and workshops in 2016. She’s guided thousands of artists to create their deepest art in her classes. Nancy led live abstract painting workshops in Maine and North Carolina in Doing The Work Of Your Life workshops with fellow artist Katherine Aimone from 2015-2016. In 2000, Nancy produced a television program in California called Creativity and Consciousness where she explored the creative process of artists. Nancy has taught experimental painting at Stanford Sierra Camp since 2011. Nancy is a bestselling author and has been featured in Inc. magazine, The New York Observer, The Register of The Royal College of Psychiatrists and Stanford’s Bench & Bedside magazine.
Nancy is Available for …
- Podcast interviews
- Print media interviews world-wide
- TV interviews
- Webinars
- Telesummits
- Radio interview
- Keynote presentations:
– The Adjacent Possible® Keynote
– The Artist’s Journey® Keynote - Half day events
- Full day workshops
- 2 days seminars
Selected Interviews and Teachings
Self Publishing School Interview: A Path From Creativity To Bestselling Author & Business Growth
I was honored to be interviewed on Self Publishing School Podcast with Chandler Bolt. In this episode, I share my Self Publishing School experience and my journey to create my books. I also share how attending Author Advantage Live created excitement and motivation...
Creative Haven Interview: Finding Freedom In Constraint & Embracing Vulnerability
I was honored to be interviewed on Creative Haven Podcast with Mitchel Dumlao. In this episode, we discuss finding freedom in structure and constraint, creating a safe and vulnerable space to allow ideas to flow, the importance of working consistently on your craft...
Tap Into Your Creativity: Nancy Hillis Interviewed By Sandra Felemovicius
I was honored to be interviewed on the Instagram LIVE "Tap Into Your Creativity" hosted by my friend and wonderful artist, Sandra Felemovicius. Sandra interviewed me about my process, my art, the back story of how and why I became an artist and author, favorite...
She Made it Podcast Interview with Elle Zimmerman
I had a wonderful conversation with Elle Zimmerman, host of "She Made it". Actress-turned-entrepreneur-turned artist, Elle Zimmerman and her co-host Clara Malson, have great conversations with brave women who have stepped into their creative life purpose. Listen...
The Jim Rutt Show and Podcast Interview
Nancy Hillis & Bruce Sawhill talk to Jim about the commonalities & dynamics of complexity science & art: innovation & imitation, breaking rules, inseparability, phase transitions, combinatorics & restraints, aesthetics, process vs result...
Book Lover’s TV Interview with Daniel Hall
I was so honored to be interviewed on "Booklovers.TV" hosted by Daniel Hall. Daniel interviewed me about my book: The Artist's Journey®: Bold Strokes To Spark Creativity, discussing some of the concepts I share in the book. Watch the interview above and don't forget...
Instagram LIVE “Tap Into Your Creativity” with Sandra Felemovicius
I was honored to be interviewed on the Instagram LIVE "Tap Into Your Creativity" hosted by my friend and wonderful artist, Sandra Felemovicius. Sandra interviewed me about my process, my art, the back story of how and why I became an artist and author, favorite...
Creative Haven Podcast with Mitchel Dumlao
Finding Freedom In Constraint, Embracing Vulnerability, and Trusting Yourself To Create Innovative Artwork Through Ugly PaintingsOn the podcast we discuss finding freedom in structure and constraint, creating a safe and vulnerable space to allow ideas to flow, the...
The Artist’s Journey: Say YES To Your Hero’s Journey
Speaking On Stage At Author Advantage Live This summer I was one of four authors selected to speak on stage at Author Advantage LIVE in Austin, Texas, a gathering of over 400 independently published authors. I wrote my best selling, award winning book The Artist's...
The Artful Soul Series Interview with Rachel Rose
I'm so honored to be featured on Rachel Rose's The Artful Soul Series. We chatted about "Stepping Into the Unknown." You know that terrifying experience of not knowing what you are doing or where it's going. The blank canvas in art and in life. We talked about doing...
Best Creativity Books: The Artist’s Journey
The Artist's Journey is in the list of 100 Best Creativity Books Of All Time by bookauthority.org You can see it in the list HERE. The Artist's Journey was also on the BookAuthority list for the 16 Best New Creativity Books To Read in 2019 You can see it here. ...
The Artist’s Journey International Book Award Winner
The Artist's Journey by Nancy Hillis, MD Wins Silver Medal in Reader's Favorite International Book Awards Snag your copy HERE. Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest recognizes "The Artist's Journey" by Nancy Hillis in its annual international book award...

Nancy’s Presentations
Interviews | Presentations | Media
2021: Interview: Creative Haven Podcast with Mitchel Dumlao
2021: Interview: Tap Into Your Creativity Instagram Live with Sandra Felemovicius
2020: Interview: She Made it Podcast with Elle Zimmerman
2020: Interview: The Jim Rutt Show
2020: Interview: Book Lover’s TV with Daniel Hall
2020: Interview: Instagram LIVE “Tap Into Your Creativity” with Sandra Felemovicius
2020: Interview: Creative Haven Podcast with Mitchel Dumlao
2019: Interview: Lit From Within Show. Interviewed by Jamisyne Blakeley
2019: Interview: The Artful Soul Series. Interviewed by Rachel Rose
2019: Featured in film: Nancy’s Story. Behind the scenes of a book launch.
2018: Featured speaker: San Francisco Opera Guild: The Artist’s Journey and the Hero’s Journey in Art & Life
2018: Featured in The Expert Called You book by Jeanine Blackwell
2018: Featured in Inc. magazine article on 8 Female Entrepreneurs
2017: Interview with Artist & Psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Hillis. The Registrar: The Royal College of Psychiatry
2016: Should Artists Fear Therapy? New York Observer
2010: Art and Soul: Medicine Meets Creative Expression. Bench and Bedside. Stanford Medical Alumni Association
2007: Aptos Psychiatrist Seeks Solace In Art. Register Pajaronian. Psychiatrist explores the depths of creativity as well as the psychological processes that stop it.
2000: Created and hosted: Creativity & Consciousness television program: Exploring psychotherapy for artists and creators as well as the underpinnings of creativity.

Publications
Inc magazine, September 2018, Experts Can Earn 6 to 7 Figures in This $300 Billion-Dollar Industry. These Women Are Doing It, Why Not You?
The New York Observer, February 2017, Should Artists Fear Therapy?
Studio Visit Magazine, Spring 2015, Volume 27, Published by Open Studios Press
Stanford Bench and Bedside, Spring 2012, Art and Soul: Medicine Meets Creative Expression
Santa Cruz Record, legal newspaper, March 24, 2009, Nancy Leigh Hillis
The Informed Collector, art newsletter, March 17, 2009, Informed Collector Recommends: Nancy Leigh Hillis,
Metro Santa Cruz, article, October 3-10, 2007, House Calls
Register Pajaronian, article, October 8, 2007, Aptos Psychiatrist Finds Solace In Art

Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibition, Marjorie Evans Gallery, The Map and the Territory, Carmel, CA, 2015
Group Exhibition, Pablo Milan Gallery, Abstract Works, Santa Fe, NM, 2014
Group Exhibition, Pablo Milan Gallery, Abstract Horses and Figures, Santa Fe, NM, 2013
Group Exhibition, Contemporary Masters Gallery, The Horse, Maui, HI, 2012
Solo Exhibition, Marjorie Evans Gallery at the Sunset Center, The Horse: A Guide To The Unknown, Carmel, CA, 2012
Group Exhibition, Pablo Milan Gallery, Figurative Abstractions, Santa Fe, NM, 2011
Solo Exhibition, Many Hands Gallery, Capitola, CA, 2011
Group Exhibition, Mary Tomas Gallery, Dallas, TX, 2010
Solo Exhibition, Pasadena Heritage Tour, Pasadena, CA, 2010
Solo Exhibition, Arkansas Lt. Governor’s Office, Little Rock, AR, 2009
Solo Exhibition, Many Hands Gallery, Capitola, CA, 2009
Solo Exhibition, Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock, AR, 2009
Group Exhibition, Santa Cruz Art League, Irreplaceable Places, Santa Cruz, CA, 2009
Two Woman Exhibition, Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, Listening To Nature: Musique En Plein Air, Santa Cruz, CA, 2009
Group Exhibition, Harmonics, Inc., Going Green, Sunnyvale, CA, 2009
Group Exhibition, Museum of Art and History, Stars Auction, Santa Cruz, CA, 2008

Presentations
The Hero’s Journey in Art and Life presented at the San Francisco Opera Guild Opening Exhibition, August 2018

Workshops
Exploratory Painting: Stanford Sierra Camp, Medical Alumni, June 2011-2018 (upcoming workshop in June 2019)
Doing The Work Of Your Life, Moving Beyond Fear In Abstract Painting, Thomaston, Maine-August 2016
Doing The Work Of Your Life, Moving Beyond Fear In Abstract Painting, Asheville, North Carolina, April-May, 2016 (2 sessions)
Doing The Work Of Your Life, Moving Beyond Fear In Abstract Painting, Thomaston, Maine-July 2015
Books
The Artist’s Journey: Bold Strokes To Spark Creativity, published January 2019
The Artist’s Journey: Creativity Reflection Journal, published January 2020


Galleries
Marjorie Evans Gallery, Carmel, CA
Gallerie Amsterdam, Carmel, CA
Phoebe’s Gallery, Capitola, CA
Approved Photos
You are welcome to use these photos. Please send us a link at support@nancyhillis.com to let us know where they’re being featured.

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