We were lucky to catch up with Missy Graff Ballone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Missy , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve loved making things since I was a kid. In high school, I was constantly drawing and painting. My sketchbook was always with me. When I started driving, I would visit the waterfalls near my grandparents’ house just to be in nature and draw. Those moments remain some of my favorite memories.

At the time, I was showcasing my work at local cafes and initially planned to study drawing and painting at Montclair State University, but once I arrived, I realized I was more of a three-dimensional artist. I began exploring metals, papermaking, and ceramics. I was actually torn between majoring in metals or ceramics, but the ceramics studio was SO COLD in the winter that I couldn’t bear it.

Studying fine metals allowed me to create wearable art, which really excited me. I received my BFA and began exhibiting.

During graduate school at SUNY New Paltz, a I mentioned to a guest critic that I was also a massage therapist. He asked why this was important to me and how it impacted my creative practice. He suggested I draw the body as I saw it as a jeweler and then again as a massage therapist to see how my perspectives differed and intersected. That exercise sparked an entirely new body of work. I began exploring the interior structures of the body, using materials like silicone rubber to mimic connective tissue and create interactive, wearable pieces.

At some point, I looked at my work and started wondering: How could my understanding of the body impact the field beyond my art?

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. But before attending fine art school, I became a licensed massage therapist. At first, I thought it was just a backup plan, but the more I learned about the body, the more I realized how empowering and important that knowledge was. It completely changed how I approached my own creative practice.

After fine art school, where I focused on metalworking and jewelry making, I started noticing something concerning: a lot of my peers were dealing with repetitive strain injuries, and there seemed to be this unspoken acceptance of it. I found that alarming, especially since our bodies are our most important tools as creatives. That’s when the idea for Wellness for Makers was born. I realized that if we could integrate body awareness and movement into our creative practices, we could reduce risk of injury and burnout, without sacrificing the art we love.

I started offering workshops at craft schools, universities, and conferences, and I continued my own education by completing 800 hours of alignment-based yoga teacher training and diving into self-massage techniques. Over time, I realized that teaching artists how to move well in the studio, how to take care of their bodies while creating, was my true calling.

Now, through Wellness for Makers, I help artists and creatives move with more ease, reduce strain, and avoid burnout. I offer 1:1 coaching, remote /in-person workshops, and online courses to help other makers stay strong and aligned in the studio, so you can create for years to come, without the physical limitations that too many artists face.

What sets me apart is my background as a licensed massage therapist, my fine arts degree, and my passion for movement. I’ve been there myself, feeling the aches and pains of creating for hours on end. I know what it’s like to push through discomfort, and I want to help others avoid that. For me, it’s not just about preventing injury, it’s about helping you sustain your creativity and well-being in the long run.

I’m most proud of seeing how my work has helped people shift their practices and feel better in their bodies. Watching my clients move more freely and create with less pain is what keeps me going. I’m also so excited to have written Wellness for Makers: A Movement Guide for Artists, which is literally the resource I WISH I had while I was in art school. It’s filled with practical tools and movement tips that can help you take better care of your body, so you can keep doing what you love for years to come.

The main thing I want potential clients and followers to know is this: your body is your most important tool. Taking care of it isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for your long-term creative journey. I’m here to help you take those small steps to feel better, move better, and create more freely.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe society has a huge role in supporting artists and creatives by fostering environments where their well-being is prioritized alongside their work. One of the most important ways to support artists is by offering tools for self-care and body awareness earlier in their careers. Many artists and creatives, myself included, go through years of training without learning how to take care of the very tools that make our work possible: our bodies. It’s not just about making art; it’s about being able to continue creating for decades to come.

The earlier we build lasting movement habits, the better. If we’re trying to learn to move better or prevent strain 20 years into our practice, it will look very different than if we’d started those habits during the first few years of our career. This is why I believe universities could do so much more to support students by integrating movement, body awareness, and wellness education into their curriculums. I’ve seen firsthand how burnout and repetitive strain injuries can impact creatives, and I know how important it is to start building healthy habits from the start.

That’s why, for nearly 10yrs, I’ve been working to get this information into the hands of students and faculty in a way that is accessible. I’ve had the privilege of speaking at universities, craft centers, and conferences, sharing how movement can enhance creativity and longevity. While I love teaching in person, I know that travel isn’t always feasible for every school or organization. That’s why I also offer virtual workshops and guest lectures, making it easy for institutions to bring this essential knowledge to their students without the added costs of travel and lodging.

I also believe my book, Wellness for Makers: A Movement Guide for Artists, is a great resource for every university, helping students access practical tools for sustaining their creative practice long term.

I’d even love to teach a full course on this topic at a university someday! Helping creatives build lasting careers by incorporating body awareness and self-care into their practices is something I’m incredibly passionate about. Let’s give artists the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in their work for years to come, no matter where they are in the world!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to empower artists and creatives to move well so they can create for a lifetime—without burnout or injury holding them back.

As both an artist and a movement educator, I’ve seen firsthand how many creatives sacrifice their bodies for their work, often without realizing it until discomfort or strain becomes a major obstacle. My goal is to change that narrative by providing the tools, education, and awareness needed to build sustainable creative practices.

Through Wellness for Makers, I teach workshops, offer online programs, and speak at universities and craft centers to help artists develop movement habits that support their long-term well-being.

At the core of my work is the belief that small, intentional shifts can create BIG change. By bringing more awareness to how we sit, stand, and move in our studios, we can reduce strain, improve posture, and ultimately extend the longevity of our creative careers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.wellnessformakers.com
• Instagram: @Wellnessformakers
• Other: Podcast
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellness-for-makers/id1499175094

Image Credits

Profile image blue background https://www.instagram.com/justinhackworth?igsh=MW5ldTB4Nm81dXdmMw==

Green background me in a chair https://www.instagram.com/eyespyangelique?igsh=MXJhZWY3ZGR6ejh5cg==

The rest are from me