Art is magic. That’s why paintbrushes look like wands.
I am Maria Gehrke.
As a child, art was my world—I even took an oil painting class with a professional artist as a teenager. When choosing a career, however, I took a pragmatic path, seeking stability and a reliable foundation for my future. I found fulfillment in my corporate role, appreciating the challenges and security it provided. But as the years passed, I realized something was missing: my creative side felt unengaged, and I longed for a deeper connection with nature, my family, and my artistic passion.
When the pandemic gave us all the time to pause, I felt a pull to reconnect with my creative roots and to add balance to my life through art, mindfulness, and time outdoors. Parenting gently and exploring mindfulness through books, I began weaving it into my daily routine. This led to inspiring conversations with my friend Jackie, who was also pursuing a mindful lifestyle as a yoga and meditation teacher living in a tiny house. Together, we launched a mindfulness podcast—not only to share our journey but to hold ourselves accountable and grow.
Through podcasting, I dove deeper into mindfulness, which guided me toward creating my “Windows to Nature” paintings. These pieces became a way for me to blend the beauty of the natural world with mindfulness practices and spiritual elements like green witchcraft and herbalism. Jackie and I are now expanding “Becoming Mindful” into a supportive community, sharing knowledge and experiences and guiding others toward mindful living.
Growing up in Germany and moving to the U.S. has broadened my perspective, grounding my values in human rights and environmental stewardship. My journey has taught me the importance of community and intentionality—choosing who I surround myself with and what traditions to carry forward. I’m carving a life that celebrates creativity, nature, and mindfulness, which bridges my corporate role with a more grounded, holistic lifestyle.