SOUL'S JOURNEY

---

Documenting my spiritual journey feels inseparable from creative expression. What is that feeling we enter when singing with others, when playing, when something in us connects to something bigger than us? It is familiar, yet difficult to name, a return, perhaps, to something essential. 

In a 1964 holiday letter, my mother wrote: “Douglas is 13 months old and is walking and talks his own language of sounds. He even joins in when Denise and Bob sing. Dougle is growing up so fast - he just has to keep up with his siblings. We call him our "Little Clown” because he is always amusing everyone.” Finding this letter in our family archives felt like uncovering a small piece of truth I had always sensed but never seen reflected back.

It reassured me that I was tuned in early, participating in music, performance, and shared community before I had the language to understand it. This connection became a lifeline as I grew, especially in moments when I struggled to follow prescribed paths or “keep up.” As the third child, there was a quiet pressure to find my place. Art, music, and performance became that place, an embodied language through which I could recognize myself.

Over time, I came to see that even the artist’s path, with all its diverse mediums, has its constraints. What once felt alive can become structured, expected, even stagnant. After completing my master’s program at ArtCenter and experiencing public recognition through exhibitions, publications, and projects, I reached a threshold. Something essential felt distant. I stepped away.

What followed was not a departure from art, but a return to its source. Through the somatic arts, I encountered a deeper opening, one that reconnected me to body, intuition, and spirit. This led to shamanic healing practices, performance as ritual, and a more intuitive approach to painting.

This timeline traces that unfolding: not as a linear progression, but as a continual remembering of connection, of presence, and of the creative force that has always been there.

Key Teachers:

 John Nava (Art Teacher) University of Redlands (1981-85)

Gary Strauss (Polarity and Cranial Sacral) IPSB (1997)

Don Kilhefner (Gay Shamanism) (1998 - 2001)

Camille Maurine (Moving Theatre) COMMIT (1998 - 2006)

Ken Symington (Invisible Theater) Men’s Theater for Men 

(2001 -2007)

Rachel Rosenthal (Tohubohu: Extreme Theater!) (2004 - 2019)

Steward Cubley (Painting Experience ) Michele Cassou (Zero Point)

Nicholas Wilton (Art2life) 

Work with IPSB (Institute of Psycho Structural Balancing): (1997 - 1998)

Massage Training at IPSB, (1997-1998) Beginning of Body Exploration Class: Basic Training, Deep Tissue (Val) , Swedish, Esalen Massage, Accupressure, Communications, Cranial Sacral, Polarity (Gary Struass)

Work with Don Kilhefner & Others: (1998 - 2001)

Gay Shamanism: “Father Hunger Circle”, 1998 March 7 - May 16, Sept 26

Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty 

CMG: California Men’s Gathering, Nov 26 - 28 (1999)

Gay Deep Diving Group (Scuba), Sept 10-12 (1999)

“An Introduction to Gay Shamanism”, 1999 - Sept 25 - Nov 13 2000

Jan 8 - Feb 25, Don Kilhefner & Steven Solberg

CMG: California Men’s Gathering “Welcome the Millennium”, 

June 4-7 (1999)

“Seeing in the Dark” (1999) Readings referenced: James Broughton, James Hillman, C G Jung, Maladoma Soma, Marie Louise Von Franz, Michael Gurian, June 9,16,23,30, July 7, 14,21,28 Aug 4, 18, 25, Sept 25, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 2,9,16,23,30 

“Father Hunger Circle”, 1999 Feb 6, Aug 7 Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty

“Gay Spirit Conference: A Day of Personal and Community Renewal for Gay Men”,  (2000) Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, May 20, Mark Thompson, Will Roscoe, Christian de La Huerta, David Cohen

“Gay Soul Making: Descent of the Hero Shaman into the underworld of Gay Psyche” Pt II, May 1 - May 22 (2000)

Facilitators - Doug Sadownick, Chris Kilbourne 

(Shadow Work & Teachings of Mitch Walker)

Class One: S&M: The Underworld of Gay Soul

Class Two: The Uranian Complex: Coming to Know the Magical Gay Inner Family

Class Three: The Politics of Gay-Centered Inner Work

Class Four: Gay Liberation in the New Millennium: Realizing the  Revolutionary Potential of Gay Psyche

“Seeing In the Dark”: Gay Shamanism, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25 (2000)

Volunteer at Massage “Wellness Works”, January (2001)

(changed name from Alive and Well) 

“Father Hunger Circle”, Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 28 (2001)

Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty Participants: Stan Gauntt, Daniel Foster, John Coppola, Terry Rosson

“Seeing in the Dark: An Introduction to Shamanism”, Feb 3 (2001)

Doug Hammett, Steven Solberg, Don Kilhefner

“Phallus Workshop”: Tumescence, June 2, 9, 16, 23 (2001)

Facilitators: Donald Ham, Matthew Cody

Work with Camille Maurine: (1998-2006)

Moving Theater (CoMMiT) Workshops with Camille Maurine, 

(1998 -2006), Sunday workshops and 6 performances skipping 2003-4

Performances: “Love, Death, Power” Santa Monica, Continuum Feb (1999)  “Perturbations”  Santa Monica, Continuum May, June (2000)

"Naked Moment" Wild and Tender Musings on Life, the Universe, and  Everything. Santa Monica, Continuum, July (2001)

"Open Secrets” Improvisations on the Light and Shadow of Love -  Santa Monica, Continuum, Summer (2002)

"Holiday Spirits" - CoMMiT, Continuum, Sant Monica, Dec. (2005)

"No Stranger" Continuum, Santa Monica, May (2006)

Nina Wise  “Story Telling Improv”, Esalen Institute, April 24 - 30 1999

Improv Workshop with Corey Fisher & Nina Wise, 

Santa Monica, June 16, 29-30 2002

Work with Ken Simington: (2001-2013)

“Invisible Theater” Men’s Theater for Men, 

At Nature Friends: 2001 -2007

“Journey Through the Tarot” IT #4 (2001) Wheel of Furtune

“The 12 Signs of the Zodiac” IT #5 (2002) Scorpio

“Once Upon. Time… Faerie Tales” IT #6 (2003) 3 Little Pigs

“Men and the Animals Spirits Within Them” IT #7 (2004)

Raven & Whale

“Hero’s Journey” IT #8 (2005) Sal Mander

“Men: Thier Dreams and Desires” IT #9 (2006)

Zig Zag Man, Sandman Top

“Alchemy Between Men” IT #10 (2007) Softman, Unicorn 1,2,3

Stages of Dionysius (Sacred Intimate day) 2007

Ayahuaska Journeys:

Nature Friends: “Concerts” 2001 - 2013

Trip to Peru: Oct 15 - 30, 2002

Trip to Peru: Oct 3 - 15, 2013

“Men: Their Dreams and Desires”#4 (2001) Wheel of Fortune

“Timeless” (Catnip Pig, Art Angel) - Rachel Rosenthal Studio, L.A.  May 2006

“Arboretum” (Weeping Willow, Topiary: The Tree Elite) - Direction Rachel Rosenthal, Highways, Dec. 2006

“Terra Incognita” (Clown Kings) Direction Rachel Rosenthal -  Espace DbD Theater, Aug 2008

“Une Semaine de Bonte: Water, Fire, Blood” (Dive #1,2,3) May -  Espace DbD Theater 2009

“Amuse-Bouche” - Improv April, May, June - Espace DbD Theater,  Los Angeles. 2009

“Time, Space, Universe” (2 Be or Not 2 Be) (Dating Game in Tap) -  Espace DbD Theater, Feb-Mar 2010

“George Herms & Tohubohu! Extreme Theater” Rosenthal Theatre,  June 2010

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions 2010 - 11

“Somnambulae: Sleepwalkers” (Sweet Shop) Fall 10 Week - Espace  DbD Theater, Oct. 2012

“Internal Bleeding” (Memory is a Strange Thing, Male Order Bride, Split)  Spring 10 Week Espace DbD Theater, April 2012

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly Productions 2012

“The Longest Winter” Rachel Rosenthal Company 2015

,

Work with Stewart Cubley & Michele Cassou: (2008 - 2013)

“Painting Experience: Process Painting” 2010-13

“Creativity Without Limits: Painting and Point Zero Workshop”  with Michele Cassou 2008

,“Men: Their Dreams and Desi IT #4 (2001) Wheel of Fortune

Work with Nicholas Wilton: (2014-2026)

Art2Life Painting Workshop (Esalen, Destination, Online)

Timeline: Combining these Spiritual and Creative modalities.

1986 - 2025  Reference other document for Art Bio 

(Statement, Shows, and Articles)

1997  

Massage Training at IPSB, (1997 Nov -1998), 

Beginning of Body Exploration

Class: Basic Training, Deep Tissue, Swedish, Esalen Massage,  Accupressure, Cranial Sacral, Polarity.

1998   

Pacifica Mythology Masters Program, Oct 2 - Jan 27

(was not a good match for me, way too intellectual for my body-centered 

 exploration.)

Shanamism: 

“Once We Were Warriors”, Oct 21

Gay and Lesbian Center

“Father Hunger Circle”, March 21, 28 

Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty 

Participants: Stan Gauntt, Daniel Foster, John Coppola, Terry Rosson 

Theater: Moving Theater (CoMMiT) with Camille Maurine,  (Sundays)

1999  

Shamanism:ornia Men’s Gathering, Nov 26 - 28

Gay Deep Diving Group (Scuba), Sept 10-12

Shanamism:

 “An Introduction to Gay Shamanism”, 1999 - Sept 25 - Nov 13 

2000 Jan 8 - Feb 25, Don Kilhefner & Steven Solberg

CMG: California Men’s Gathering “Welcome the Millennium”, 

June 4-7

“Seeing in the Dark” Readings referenced: James Broughton, James  Hillman, C G Jung, Maladoma Soma, Marie Louise Von Franz, Michael  Gurian, June 9,16,23,30, July 7, 14,21,28 Aug 4, 18, 25, Sept 25, 2, 9,  16, 23, 30, Oct 2,9,16,23,30

Nina Wise “Story Telling Improv”, Esalen Institute, April 24 - 30

“Gays Against Coors”, Feb 18

“Father Hunger Circle”, 1999 Feb 6, Aug 7

Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty 

Participants: Stan Gauntt, Daniel Foster, John Coppola, Terry Rosson

Theater: Moving Theater (CoMMiT) with Camille Maurine, (Sunday Workshops)

“Love, Death, Power” - CoMMiT, Santa Monica, Feb

2000  

Shamanism:

“Winter Solstice Ceremony”, Dec 17 

Doug Hammett’s house, Gay Men’s Medicine Circle.

“Death Walker: Introduction to Gay Psychopomp”, Nov 11 -12

Workshop at Wellness Works

“Beyond Therapy”, Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9

Gay and Lesbian Center

“Father Hunger”, Jun 21, July 19, Aug 9, Sept 10

“Gay Men’s Visionary Circle”, Aug. 10-5 pm (Nature Friends)

CMG - California Men’s Gathering @ Camp Shalom, June 2-4

* Gay Men’s Medicine Circle sacred Ceremony 

* Introduction to Gay Shamanism led by Doug Hammett and Steven  Solberg

Volunteering at “Alive and Well” AIDS Clinic, giving massages, June

“Seeing in the Dark: Introduction to Gay Shamanism”, June 17 - 18

Led by Steven Solberg and Doug Hammett

“Gay Spirit Conference: A Day of Personal and Community Renewal  for Gay Men”,  Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, May 20, 

Mark Thompson, Will Roscoe, Christian de La Huerta, David Cohen

“Gay Soul Making: Descent of the Hero Shaman into the underworld  of Gay Psyche” Pt II, 

May 1 - May 22, Facilitators - Doug Sadownick, Chris Kilbourne  (Shadow Work & Teachings of Mitch Walker)

Class One: S&M: The Underworld of Gay Soul

Class Two: The Uranian Complex: Coming to Know the Magical Gay  Inner Family

Class Three: The Politics of Gay-Centered Inner Work

Class Four: Gay Liberation in the New Millennium: Realizing the  Revolutionary Potential of Gay Psyche

“Seeing In the Dark”: Gay Shamanism, 

Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 4, 11, 18, 25

Theater:

 “Perturbations” - CoMMiT, Santa Monica, May, June

“Rumi” Invisible Theater at Nature Friends, Sept 23 

(First time as an Audience Member. Became part of the group for 6 years  

2001-2006)

“Alchemy”: Continuum, Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar 1, 8, 15

2001  

Shamanism:

 Volunteer at Massage “Wellness Works”, January

(changed name from Alive and Well) 

“Father Hunger Circle”, Jan 31, Feb 28, Mar 28, 

Facilitators: Don Kilhefner, Deni Ponty 

Participants: Stan Gauntt, Daniel Foster, John Coppola, Terry Rosson

“Seeing in the Dark: An Introduction to Shamanism”, Feb 3

Doug Hammett, Steven Solberg, Don Kilhefner

“Phallus Workshop”: Tumescence, June 2, 9, 16, 23 (4 weekends)

Facilitators: Donald Ham, Matthew Cody

Theosophy:  

“Death and Dying”, 2001 - April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, June 7, 14

Theosophical Society

Theater: "Naked Moment" - Wild and Tender Musings on Life, the Universe,  and Everything. CoMMiT Theater Group, Continuum Space, July 

“A Journey Through the Tarot ”(Wheel of Fortune) - Invisible Theater  #4, Sierra Madre, Sept

2002   

Shamanism:

Trip to Peru: Ken Symington (Ayahuasca), Oct 15 - 31

Theater: Improv Workshop with Corey Fisher & Nina Wise, 

Santa Monica June 16, 29-30

CoMMiT, Santa Monica, Continuum Space, Summer (2002)

"Open Secrets” Improvisations on the Light and Shadow of Love 

CoMMiT , Santa Monica, Continuum Space, Summer (2002)

“The 12 Signs of the Zodiac” Invisible Theater #5 Scorpio, Oct

2003

Bodywork

 Continuing practice of bodywork sessions.

Theater: Invisible Theater #6 “Once Upon. Time… Faerie Tales” 3 Little Pigs

2004

Theater:

 Invisible Theater #7 “Men and the Animals Spirits Within Them”

Raven & Whale  

2005

Theater: 

“Hero’s Journey” Invisible Theater IT #8 Sal Mander Oct

"Holiday Spirits" - CoMMiT, Continuum, Sant Monica, CA. Dec.

Art  Process Painting Workshops Stewart Cubley 

2006 

Theater:

 “Timeless” (Catnip Pig, Art Angel) - Rachel Rosenthal Studio, L.A. May
 "No Stranger" CoMMiT, Continuum, Santa Monica, CA. May 

Invisible Theater #9 “Men: Their Dreams and Desires” Nature Friends

(Zig Zag Man, Sandman Top) Oct

“Getting Gaily Psychological This Solstice!” - Highways Performance  Space, Dec. 

“Arboretum” (Weeping Willow, Topiary: The Tree Elite) - Artistic Direction  Rachel Rosenthal, Highways Performance Space, Dec.

2007

Theater: 

“Tiny Boxes” - Max 10, Electric Lodge, Venice Beach, Feb. 

IT #10 “Alchemy Between Men” Softman, Unicorn 1,2,3

Stages of Dionysius (Sacred Intimate day)

2008

Art

 “Creativity Without Limits: Painting and Point Zero Workshop” with  Michele Cassou at Esalen Sept

Theater: “Terra Incognita” (Clown Kings) Direction Rachel Rosenthal - Espace  DbD Theater, Aug

“OUT of the BOX” - Yes-And Productions, Nov., The Attic Theater,L.A.

2009

Theater: “Une Semaine de Bonte: Water, Fire, Blood” (Dive #1,2,3) May -  Espace DbD Theater 

“Amuse-Bouche” - Improv April, May, June - Espace DbD Theater,  Los Angeles. 

,

2010 

Art:  

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley (W/Ben) (Dec)

Theater: “Time, Space, Universe” (2 Be or Not 2 Be) (Dating Game in Tap) -  Espace DbD Theater, Feb-Mar 

“George Herms & Tohubohu! Extreme Theater” Rosenthal Theatre,  June

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions

2011 

Art: 

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( April ) Esalen

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( Dec ) Esalen

Theater: “Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions

2012  

Art  

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( April) Esalen

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( Dec ) Esalen

Theater 

“Somnambulae: Sleepwalkers” (Sweet Shop) Fall 10 Week - Espace  DbD Theater, Oct.

“Internal Bleeding” (Memory is a Strange Thing, Male Order Bride, Split)  Spring 10 Week Espace DbD Theater, April 

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly Productions

2013  

Shamanism: 

Ayahuaska Journeys: Trip to Peru: Oct 3 - 15, 2013

Painting: 

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( May) Esalen

The Painting Experience with Stewart Cubley ( Dec ) Esalen

Theater:  

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions

2014  

Painting: 

Art2Life Painting Workshop (April ) Esalen

Art2Life Painting Workshop (Sept) Esalen

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

Theater: 

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions

2015  

Art:   

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Jan ) Esalen

Jesse Reno ( Sept ) Portland

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

Theater: 

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre” - Improv Monthly productions

“The Longest Winter” Rachel Rosenthal company.

2016 

Art: 

 Art2Life Painting Workshop ( July ) Mallorca

Art2Life Painting Workshop (Dec ) Haramara

Theater: 

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre”

2017 

Art:

Theater: 

“Tohubohu! Extreme Theatre”

2018

Art:  Burning Man at Esalen (Oct)

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

2019

Art:

 Burning Man at Esalen (Oct)

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

2021

Art:

 Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

2022

Art: 

“Creative Catalyst” Dana Flash (Feb) Esalen

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

2023

Art: 

“Creative Catalyst” Dana Flash (Feb) Esalen

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Oct ) Marrakesh

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Dec ) Haramara

2024

Art: “Creative Catalyst” Dana Flash (May) Esalen

Art2Life Painting Workshop ( Oct ) Playa del Carmen

2025

Art: 

“Creative Catalyst” Dana Flash (Feb) Esalen

“Creative Catalyst” Dana Flash (Oct) Esalen

ART105 from 2018 - now

I created ART105 in Old Town Pasadena. It was designed to host an art gallery, theater, and music studio. From there, I have had group art shows, live multimedia music performances, and theater shows. An emphasis on advancing these three disciplines has been highly rewarding, serving as a platform for the continuation of expressions that began early in life. www.art105.com

Art shows:

“Inside Out” March 14 - April 11, 2020

“Lost & Found” June 11th - July 3rd, 2022

“This Little Piggy Went to the Market” Dec 17- 18 2022, 23

“Totem” May 18th - June 22nd, 2024

“SOS: Santa’s Open Studio” Nov 29 - Dec 22, 2024

“ART105: OPEN STUDIO” DECEMBER 10-13, 17-20

Workshops:

“Painting Workshop” 4 hours, 2018

“Shamanic Drum Journey” 2019

“Spirit Collage” 2021

“Moving Your Story Forward” 2022

“Animal Re-Imagination” with Brad Davis 2024

“Oracle Deck Collage” Doug Hammett 2024

“Sound Lab” with Convertible Play House 2024

“Journal Painting” with Outi Harma 2024

“Performance Art” with Egg Drop Theater 2025-6

Music Studio: 

I have been exploring sound by constantly shifting the music equipment within the music studio's stations. Each station features electronic equipment and acoustic instruments designed to generate unique sounds and rhythms that can be looped and recorded. 

Convertible Play House has been meeting monthly since 2019 to explore improvised, multilayered tones and polyrhythms with analog synthesizers, looping stations, contact mics, and acoustic instruments. 

Performance:

“Catalyst Converter” Multimedia production 2020

“Inspire” Opening performance during TOTEM Show 2024

“Plato’s Cave” Convertible Play House (coming 2026)