Photo Credit Kelley Hart Moser Sr.
We were lucky to catch up with Yvonne Gordon-moser recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Yvonne thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
In the Spring semester of 2015, as I was nearing the end of my master’s program in Art Therapy, our exit class was posed with a thought-provoking question by our professor: “What will you do with your degree, and how will you do it?” This question received various responses—creative ideas, puzzled looks, and familiar clichés. One phrase stood out for me, “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, just make it better.” It was then, the concept for my business model began to develop. But it was the collaboration, the discussion, and the brainstorming that fueled my idea.
The concept of ‘sharing space’ and coordinating events became the foundation of my vision. At that time, I was aware of only one organization in Connecticut, that offered both/and, an art gallery and art therapy studio space. The model I was considering would provide a valuable service to those unfamiliar with art therapy, and space for emerging artists needing a platform to showcase their work. I felt a deep sense of purpose in extending this concept. As a bonus, I would also have studio space to create my own artwork. I hoped it would become a community art center and healing space. And it did.
Yvonne, 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?
Sure. Well, I am a 62-year-old crone. Ha! I love my family, my art, and helping others. Art has always been a calming and healing part of my soul. As a result, my family has much more of my art than they need, or probably want. Professionally and artistically, I am a printmaker, mixed media artist, and independent Art Therapist Licensed in CT. I was born in 1961 and graduated in 98’ from Connecticut College with a BFA as a single parent of two teens and the foster parent of a 7-year-old. I worked as a Teaching Assistant with children in the special needs program at a local charter school in the town I grew up in. I planned to finish a Teaching certification, but life had other plans. After recuperating from major surgery, I unexpectedly found myself bartending again, for an additional ten years rather than returning to the school system for work. I was heartbroken as it felt like a big step backward and I wasn’t getting any younger.
In 2012 I was finally ready to work on achieving a master’s degree. Ha! At the tender age of fifty-four, I received honors from Albertus Magnus College in Art Therapy 15’. I was a late bloomer and I used to joke about checking off boxes in the list of statistics; high school dropout, teen-mother, abuse survivor, etc. In May of 2015, I opened the former Branford Art Center in Branford CT and I formed an LLC 6 months later. I was honored to be recognized for my contributions to the Connecticut Shoreline art community and named ‘Person of the Week’ by the Branford Shoreline Times, and then it just took on a life of its own.
This magical place filled a vacancy, filled a need, and I was again honored with a feature in the ‘local artist worth owning’ article of the Home and Gardens Shoreline magazine 17. I had to pinch myself. I was being recognized for doing what I loved, which rang true, what felt right. Then again the gallery received the Shoreline 2017’ State of CT Small Business of the Year Award, and CT NOW Best of Galleries in New Haven and Hartford, CT 16,17,18. And it was all great until it wasn’t. Life made a big left turn. I had to sell the business. My husband had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer called MDS and his treatments weren’t working.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My husband Kelley Moser of 4 years, and I moved to Wallingford CT so he could be closer to his job and receive chemotherapy at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Kelley was diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer in Jan of 17’. He underwent procedures that wiped out his immune system, and we essentially lived in a sanitized bubble for 2yrs before COVID-19 even came. Kelley needed much more personal care than he could tend to himself and ultimately was unable to work post-transplant. I didn’t know if he would survive, even though I convinced him that he would, and we made plans for years in advance. The stem cell transplant gave him a 50/50, 60/40 chance of survival with significant side effects.
I sold the business in February of 19’, to stay home and care for Kel. I converted our apartment into a sanitary space and our garage into my art studio and therapy space where clients would come for sessions. Kelley developed tertiary cancers and required several life-threatening surgeries. Then I stopped seeing clients. Then COVID-19 arrived in Jan and joined us while we were at SMILOW in a post-surgical recovery. The first two COVID patients were admitted to the hospital on March 18, 2020. As a result, we were discharged from the hospital before his abdominal incision healed, to prevent him from contracting COVID. I was trained on how to cleanse, pack, and unpack his incision with gauze, and we were sent home. A visiting nurse came once a week to check his progress. Our friends the Whiting’s made food deliveries to us while we quarantined. Kelley and I eventually started talking about bucket lists. We talked about seeing the country.
I began offering free Zoom AT sessions on social media, during COVID on Saturday mornings, which were regularly attended by several people each week. I think I got more out of them than anyone else. In May of 2020,’ I was asked to join the Art Therapy Team of Art and Soul in Madison Ct offering virtual mental health services. This worked for our ‘new normal’ as long as virtual therapy was desired. I was invited to be in Sujata Srinivasans’ CT Magazines’ article about art therapists and artists’ activities during COVID-19, and all I could feel was gratitude that maybe more people would learn about the power of art to heal.
Today in 2024 as a Counselor and Art therapist, I share important lessons with my clients I specialize in Art Therapy, BSOTR, Creative meditation, and mindfulness techniques.
1) If you admit you have a problem or need a change, you are halfway there.
2) If you are willing to ask for help there is hope. Please don’t let others define who you are
3) If you are ready to do the work self-reflection requires, you are ready to heal.
It’s never too late to begin
4) It takes strength and courage to ask for help
5) You don’t ever have to be alone
I trained at the VA Giant Steps program for two years working with Veterans living with PSTD, schizophrenia, mood disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. I was both humbled and reminded that freedom isn’t free. When I quit drinking in 91’ and began self-reflection I began hosting creative meditations in my apartment for women with SUD and we created art, to help anyone wanting to participate.
Life has taught me, to teach from experience never to suggest someone do something I have not personally tried or have trained for and found to be successful. I primarily work with adults and young adults who can connect virtually. Today, my clients vary in age and abilities, some live with cancer, alcoholism, anxiety, and depression, and others are battling the challenges of OCD and hoarding. I specialize in connecting with my clients on a human level.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Accepting what is and adjusting myself to it, became a way of life for me. I only had this one life and I didn’t want to waste it. We didn’t want to waste it. So, in 2021 my husband Kelley and I set out on his bucket list embracing a nomadic lifestyle and leaving apartment life behind. We sold and gave away everything we could, I participated in a COVID Virtual Art Space show in New Haven and sold a ton of my Artwork. Our new living quarters became a thirty-three-foot motor home, with a Jeep in tow. It had everything we needed; a bed, bathroom, shower, stove, fridge, Wi-Fi, TV, and two wonderful recliners that Kelley loved! Our dining table was two feet by three feet which had a triple purpose, eating, creating art, and remote work for providing therapy.
Our journey had some scary moments. We ran from tornadoes in Massachusetts, New Orleans, Houston, and Alabama, often hiding in the nearest market or big box store. In Western Texas, we faced fires and sandstorms and narrowly avoided two accidents, one with a train and another with a truck. Kelley and I went through all kinds of emotions on the road, from belly laughs to loud tears, and even our first fight ever. But we wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. They showed us our strength as a couple and our commitment to the journey.
We visited spiritual centers and places of deep sadness and healing, learning about forgiveness. We walked the Freedom Trail, paused in Selma, crossed the Pettus Bridge, went to Montgomery Alabama, and paid our respects at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. We also visited the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, where the tragic bombing happened to those innocent baby girls. We also went to Veteran memorials, war memorials, cemeteries, and many houses of worship.
We went as far north as Maine, climbing Acadia Mountain, enjoying Boothbay Harbor, and relaxing on Old Orchard Beach. Our journey took us to the southernmost point of Florida, camping across every state in between. Key West was a colorful mix of freedom and flavor, while the Everglades amazed us with pink flamingos. In Sopchoppy, Florida, we quietly watched albino deer and fed white squirrels. White buffalo roamed in Branford, Florida, and at Myakka River State Park, I felt a deep connection to the land. The native spirit was strong, unlike anywhere else I’d been, and the air was filled with the most amazing spice aroma, I didn’t want to leave. The banyan trees of West Palm Beach and the Savannah oaks of Georgia were incredible. Our travels took us to the California coast, where we dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean. I’m leaving out so many amazing places I almost feel guilty for not mentioning Sedona, Moab, Austin….ahhh
The Pacific Highway inspired a painting for my husband, its beauty is beyond words the coast, not my painting. Kelley reunited with his sons and grandchildren, which was emotional and wonderful. We even attended his youngest son’s wedding, a bitter-sweet event we weren’t sure we’d make.
Last summer I began researching naturopathic cures for cancer online and I found people who were using herbals and reversing their cancer diagnosis, extending their’ longevity at least and quality of life. I began Kelley on an herbal regimen, a fairly strict diet change, and naturopathic healing. The liposarcoma that kept returning was last removed in August and a myeloma was removed in November. Kelley is regaining his strength and according to two consecutive PET scans and blood tests, Kelley is clean, and cancer-free no new growth. Prayer, faith, and love. Magic
Though anchored in CT, we have settled in VA, where we love being near the beach. I’m building our apothecary, creating art, and helping Kelley become more independent.
I continue to share my belief that love and art heal, build resilience, and share information. I draw inspiration from various spiritual beliefs and guides, the love of family and friends. I enjoy connecting with like-minded folks on social media, visiting cemeteries, practicing mindfulness, and sharing what I’ve learned. I still love my work, helping others heal, and creating art. I began using the camera on my iPhone to chronicle our trip in pictures. I planned to use the photo references in the years ahead for future art making. I collected sand and plants from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts for future artwork as well.
Till then.
Contact Info:
- Website: https//:yvonnegordonmoserart.com
- Instagram: @ymgordon48
- Linkedin: yvonne gordon-moser
Image Credits
Image credits Yvonne Gordon-Moser