Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beth Woessner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Beth, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Being asked to paint a personal watercolor is always an honor. I’m invited into someone’s meaningful moment, memory, or connection—often something deeply emotional and sacred.

One commission I’ll never forget was from a wife who wanted to surprise her husband with a painting. She sent me a worn, tattered photo of him as a child, standing beside his grandfather in front of a field of tobacco leaves. It was a candid image—they looked like they had just finished a long day of work in the fields. He kept this photo tucked in his office, a treasured keepsake. Using it as a reference, I recreated the scene in watercolor, capturing a moment that spoke volumes about family, legacy, and love.

Another deeply meaningful piece came from a mother who had lost her stillborn baby. She asked me to paint a portrait from a photo of her holding her child. She didn’t want the baby depicted with the purple hue that so often appears in those difficult hospital images. Instead, she asked me to bring warmth and softness to the baby’s coloring—something pink, something loving—so she could have a picture of her child that felt gentle and beautiful.

Perhaps the most personal painting I’ve ever done was of my own parents. I used an old photo of them sitting on the back of my dad’s truck. My mother had passed away by the time I painted it, and spending hours focused on her face—watching her come to life under my brush—was a tender, almost sacred experience. It became a quiet space of grief and remembrance, as if I were getting to spend time with her again. That painting was not only meaningful—it was healing.

Beth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

About Me, My Art, and My Mission
I’m Beth Woessner—an artist, trauma-informed life coach, and founder of Empowered Pathways for Healing. My creative work and my coaching practice are both deeply rooted in one mission: to help others reconnect with themselves, express what feels inexpressible, and find beauty and meaning even in the messiest parts of life.

I’ve been a working artist for over 18 years, specializing in vibrant, transparent watercolor paintings. My journey began with a deep love for color and emotion, and over time, I discovered that watercolor is more than a medium—it’s a metaphor. Its unpredictable, flowing nature mirrors the human experience: fragile yet resilient, messy yet beautiful. I offer custom watercolor paintings, original artworks, commissions from candid photos, and classes that help others develop artistic skills and creative confidence. Some of my most meaningful paintings are personal commissions that honor memory, grief, or family legacy, and I am honored to turn those sacred moments into lasting, expressive works of art.

Alongside my art, I offer trauma-informed coaching and group workshops designed to support people through emotional healing and personal growth. Having walked through my own seasons of challenge and healing, I understand how essential it is to have a safe space where your story is honored and your inner voice is heard. That’s what I aim to provide—whether through painting or coaching. I work with individuals who are longing for clarity, self-trust, and meaningful connection. Through hands-on tools, conversation, and creative exploration, I support clients in building emotional resilience and designing lives rooted in their own values, vision, and truth.

What sets my work apart is the integration of creativity and healing. I don’t separate my roles as an artist and a coach—they inform and enrich each other. Whether someone is commissioning a portrait of a loved one, joining a poetry-and-art wellness workshop, or stepping into a one-on-one coaching session, I create a nurturing, curious, and compassionate space. I believe healing doesn’t always come through words—it can also come through paint, through presence, through moments of beauty and expression.

I’m most proud of the brave, honest, and transformative conversations I get to be a part of—whether through brushstrokes or shared stories. I want my clients, students, and collectors to know that this work is about more than art or answers. It’s about becoming more fully ourselves. It’s about honoring what’s real, inviting what’s possible, and discovering that even the broken places can be made beautiful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One moment that stands out is how I responded when the world shut down during the early days of the pandemic. Like so many others, I had to pivot quickly—and for me, that meant shifting my in-person watercolor classes to live Zoom workshops. I had never taught online before, and I had to learn the technology and adapt my teaching style as I went. But what started as a challenge turned into something beautiful. Suddenly, I wasn’t just connecting with local students—I was bringing people together across state lines. A mother in one state could take a live class with her daughter in another. Sisters who lived far apart could create art side by side again, even from different homes. It became a meaningful way for people to reconnect during a time of isolation, and I felt honored to facilitate that experience.

Another layer of resilience in my journey has been transforming my own pain into purpose. Through years of personal trauma and deep healing work, I found the courage to become a trauma-informed coach—not only to support others, but to remind them of their own voice, their inner wisdom, and the power of reclaiming their story. Being able to walk with others as they rediscover their strength and creativity has been one of the most rewarding parts of my path.

More recently, I’ve been able to merge my art background with my trauma-informed coaching in a deeply meaningful way—designing workshops that use creativity as a tool for nervous system regulation, emotional expression, and personal growth. It has taken resilience to hold space for others in their healing while also continuing to evolve my own work. These integrated workshops are a reflection of my belief that art can do more than decorate—it can transform, soothe, and empower.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe one of the most powerful ways society can support artists is by actively participating in and valuing local creative communities. This means showing up—attending art classes, visiting exhibits, and supporting local artists by purchasing their work directly from them, whether at farmers markets, local galleries, or community events. For example, as an artist who regularly participates in the Fayetteville Farmers Market, I experience firsthand how meaningful it is to connect with both locals and visitors who stop by my booth to share what resonates with them in my art. These interactions create a shared sense of community, boost the artist’s spirit, and help sustain the creative economy on a personal level.

Choosing to purchase art directly from artists rather than big box stores sends a strong message that we value creativity as a vital part of our culture and economy. It supports artists financially but also encourages them to keep creating and contributing to the unique character of their communities. When we invest in local art, we’re investing in the stories, voices, and diverse perspectives that enrich our lives and inspire connection

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bethwoessner.com
• Instagram: @bethwoessnerart
• Facebook: @bethwoessnerart
• Linkedin: Beth Woessner
• Youtube: @bethwoessnerart