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 30,000 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 my work counseling artists, as well a 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 (Learn more)
– The Artist’s Journey Keynote - Half day events
- Full day workshops
- 2 days seminars
Selected Interviews and Teachings

Mind Love Podcast: Sparking Creativity
A snippet from MindLove Podcast Episode #83 Go here >>> https://www.mindlove.com/podcast/sparking-creativity/ to listen to the full podcast episode on Sparking Creativity I'd love to hear your thoughts on the interview. Leave me a comment below and let...
How To Overcome Creative Blocks: Angela Fehr Interviews Nancy Hillis
Overcoming Creative Blocks You can watch the Interview here I had the delightful experience of being interviewed by the lovely and wonderful watercolorist and teacher Angela Fehr. In this wide ranging conversation, we explored the inner landscape of overcoming...
Stanford Sierra Camp 2019
Invite Nancy to Speak or Teach at your next event ... Contact us via the form below: Or Email us at support@nancyhillis.com, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Front Porch Gallery Annual Juried Exhibition 2019 Nancy Hillis Juror
The Awards Presentation Juror: Nancy Hillis, M.D. Gallery Director: Julie Weaverling I was honored to be asked by Julie Weaverling, Director of Front Porch Gallery, to jury the annual contemporary art exhibition. Front Porch Gallery is a lovely gallery in...
The Artist’s Journey Book Review by Adele Sypesteyn
View this post on Instagram 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝙹𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚢 ⠀ This is a brand new book by @nancyhillisstudio that dives into the mind of the artist, especially when aspects of our art and creativity become challenging. I highly recommend it. ⠀ #theartistsjourney...
The Artist’s Journey Book Review: Patricia Schwimmer
Patricia Schwimmer's Review The Artist's Journey book review by Patricia Schwimmer Have you seen @nancyhillisstudio book The Artist's Journey? I've almost completed my first read through and it is so empowering...because it helps you move through all those...
The Artist’s Journey: Book Review Press Release
For immediate release: Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome. Readers' Favorite announces the review of the Non-Fiction - Self Help book The Artist's Journey by Nancy Hillis, currently available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999750410. Readers' Favorite...
Lit From Within Show Interview by Jaimsyne Blakely
This new series is called Lit from Within. I’m honored to be a special guest on the show. There are more opportunities than ever to find and do the work you love… And yet, so many people are unhappy with their career or have reached a peak with their...
The Artist’s Journey Book Review by Cheryl Wilson
Bold Strokes To Spark Creativity Cheryl Wilson @cherylwilsonart reviews The Artist's Journey: Bold Strokes To Spark Creativity in her Instagram feed and IGTV. See the video below. View this post on Instagram The Artist's Journey: Bold Strokes To Spark...
The Artist’s Journey: Behind the scenes of a book launch
CLICK HERE to watch the film: https://jeanineblackwell.com/nancys-story The Artist's Journey is a hero's journey Register for my FREE webinar: The #1 Secret To Creating Abstract Paintings You...
Activating the Canvas Featured as a Top Online Painting Class
Featured by creativebloq.com as one of the best online art classes of 2019 & 2020 Loosen Up, Activate The Canvas & Breathe Life Into Your PaintingsSneak Peek Into Activating The Canvas Module 1: Activating The Canvas. Explore and reflect on your big 'Why'...
Should Artist’s Fear Therapy?
Original article can be found at https://observer.com/2017/02/why-do-artists-fear-psychotherapy/ Are artists more prone to mental illness? Does art-making make people mentally ill? By Daniel Grant • 02/28/17 2:55pm “The idea that creativity is related somehow...

Nancy’s Presentations
Interviews | Presentations | Media
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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Invite Nancy to Speak or Teach at your next event ...

Contact us via the form below:
Or Email us at support@nancyhillis.com, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.