Central to her message is her encouragement that we restore our imaginal, intuitive and creative inheritance, especially at this time of significant global change and uncertainty, as a way to wake-up and reweave ourselves into a more beautiful conversation with the nature of things. Read Imaginal Voices.
In early years she traveled extensively throughout the world as a Canadian airline employee.
Eventually, an unanticipated illness (CFIDS) propelled her to change course and follow a lifelong interest in creativity. She graduated from NSCAD University, Canada, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. At the same time, she became a certified complementary health practitioner, established a private practice and for over fifteen years specialized in Reflexology combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian Theory (Energy Healing), as well as facilitating group healing sessions and workshops. She completed training in Creativity Coaching with Eric Maisel, author, psychotherapist and teacher, eventually offering coaching services to clients worldwide. Throughout the years she facilitated numerous creativity and therapeutic workshops for various organizations.
After losing the thread of her life for several years, her world suddenly unravelled due to a second life-altering episode.
Since then, she has been offering a range of transformative imaginal and creative experiences to those on a similar path; those called to listen to their hearts, trust their intuition and reweave their lives into beautiful conversations by cultivating an imaginal, attentive way of living in the world.
As an artist, she finds expression through the art and practice of weaving and reweaving abstract mixed media into poetic conversations that are meant to inspire, enchant and catalyze transformation in the beholder.
"Marie's coaching helped me focus, prioritize, and clarify. Always positive, she shared personal insights and philosophy that helped me balance the creative process along with a busy everyday schedule. Marie's creative experience and thoughtful questions helped me see that the world needed my creative gifts even when I felt overwhelmed and distracted by life's unexpected events. Her suggestions were always practical and accompanied by a deep spiritual wisdom. Marie's coaching made a significant difference in my life and with my project. Her coaching has kept me accountable. Her caring companionship means a great deal to me. I am forever grateful."
- SHIRLEY, WRITER, POET, GRANDMOTHER, USA
"Marie's warmth, honouring attitude, and diligence helped me to work through my creativity 'impasse'. Her coaching was extremely worthwhile, and my desired outcome of maintaining my artistic authenticity, in spite of difficult external challenges, was fully met."
- APRILE, VISUAL ARTIST, AUSTRALIA
"As a creativity coach, Marie Bortolotto is an accomplished, working artist who knows the demands of the market, but doesn't lose sight of the creative process. I was having issues with the stresses of finding balance between creating and showing work, between brainstorming and editing, and she provided gentle direction and focus. In a very subtle and supportive way she listens to the artist in you, and provides clarity. She helped me make the commitment to concentrate again on what I enjoy in my work, and I'm very grateful."
- VALERIE, AUTHOR, MUSICIAN, USA
"Marie provided a regular gentle reminder for me to keep on track and keep my project moving forward, whilst understanding the challenges of fitting in a difficult project with earning a living. She knows the highs and lows of creative output and in my case, understood the challenges my project presented not only because of the nature of the story involved, but of the pace which is much slower than I like to work. I felt encouraged, supported & looked forward to Friday emails!"
- ANNE, WRITER, VISUAL ARTIST, LIFE COACH