(GenX, depression, anxiety, adhd, films, books, fashion, bipolar, art, creativity, nature, animals, pets, aging, lgbtq+ issues, trans lives matter, equality, diversity, inclusion, chronic pain, chronic illness, sandwich generation, being a caregiver for others when not shown how to be cared for as a child, never giving up on a dream!) PLEASE ADD YOUR TOPICS OF INTEREST IN THE COMMENTS THIS SKOOL IS FOR YOU 😊

Life is hard! So let’s play while we can! I’m an artist, freelance children’s writer and illustrator, & art teacher. GenX, female, 59, who suffers chronic illness, chronic pain, and depression. I’ve been deprived of art making for several years. Let’s heal together through creating art and supporting one another. Showing up at the studio is my promise to you and it helps me be accountable. What challenges do you face in your life? How can I create a supportive environment for you? 💕farah

Hi! My name is Farah Aria, but I prefer the name “Aria” long story (as all my stories are) sorry… Or actually… I’m not sorry. I’m too old and tired to keep apologizing for being myself! So let’s make a deal… let’s be unapologetically ourselves!⭐️ No more worrying about being “too much!” “Too SENSITIVE!” or “weird” or “CRINGE” (another favorite) I love weird people! So welcome all weirdos! I hope you’ll stay a while. About me. I’m a self described artsy-tree hugging- hippie- mermaid. Books, all narratives (film, series) writing and art are my life. I love nature and am blessed to have made my way to the central coast of California towards the end of my life. They call it “Cambria ~ where the pines meet the sea”. The ocean is all shades of blues and greens, teal, turquoise and indigo. The waves are fierce, and the coastline rocky, like what you’d expect in Ireland, Scotland or Wales…and the sand is a mocha brown contrasting with the white sea foam making the little white Snowy Plover birds scatter. I promise to show you! I fell in love with Cambria in 2010! I took a road-trip with my daughter after googling “art community by the sea”. There weren’t many pictures on the internet at the time so I was stunned when I turned a corner and saw Moonstone Beach! (Yes! Can you believe that name?! Moonstone Beach!) All it took was stepping out of my car, breathing that air and seeing that beach. I knew I had found what I’d been yearning for all my life. I was HOME. (It would be a difficult separation, terrible drama, and two unbearable losses, in the next five years before Cambria became my “home”. But that’s for another time.) Where is your hometown? Is it where you came from, where you’ve ended up, or are you still searching? ~ 💕 Aria