Why Every Stressed Mom Needs to Paint (Even If You Think You Can't)
Welcome to the Joyful Mom Podcast!
In this heartfelt episode of The Joyful Mom Podcast, Megan sits down with artist and teacher Marcella to explore the powerful role creativity plays in healing, identity, and everyday life. Marcella shares her journey into art, how she grew into confidently calling herself an artist, and why painting landscapes and florals has become her way of helping people slow down and notice the beauty that already exists around them.
Marcela opens up about her early life in Argentina, her transition from ESL teacher to full-time artist, and the unexpected path that led her to Canada — including the serendipitous moment she met her husband while traveling. Through stories of travel, motherhood, and creativity, she reminds listeners that becoming an artist isn’t about talent or perfection, but about showing up, practicing, and allowing yourself to grow over time.
The conversation takes a deeply emotional turn as Marcella shares how art became a lifeline during one of the most difficult seasons of her life — when her teenage son faced a life-threatening medical crisis. From painting to Zentangling in the hospital, she explains how creativity helped calm her nervous system, process fear, and return to a sense of peace. This episode is an invitation for moms to reclaim creativity not for productivity or outcome, but as nourishment for the soul.
If this conversation stirred something in you — whether a desire to paint, to slow down, or to reclaim something just for yourself — Marcela has a beautiful invitation for you. Her upcoming Painting Challenge is a simple, supportive way to start painting consistently and experience the joy of creating again. You can also follow her on Instagram for daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and reminders that creativity is for everyone.
If you want to learn more about how you can clear anxiety more automatically by rewiring how the mind is working and processing things, go to my website www.meganhillukka.com where you can click on a link to register for my free training, where I will show you what you need in order to do this.
