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From Brain Injury to Artistic Breakthrough: Cheri Carandanis’ Story

What if the deepest wounds could lead to your most profound artistic awakening? That’s what happened to this week’s guest on the Honest Art Podcast and Studio Elite member, Cheri Carandanis. 

In a world that often stifles our true voices, her incredible journey reminds us of art’s transformative power, its ability to help us heal, and how it can lead us to find our purpose. 

We’re doing powerful things as artists, and her story is going to inspire you to embrace your journey, even if that artistic breakthrough hasn’t happened yet. 

How Cheri’s Artistic Journey Can Inspire You

When Cheri joined Studio Elite, I knew her story was one the world needed to hear. With a distinguished 25-year career as a critical care flight nurse in the U.S. military, her identity was deeply intertwined with her profession, Cheri faced unimaginable challenges when two traumatic brain injuries forced her to retire. 

Prescribed creativity to heal damaged brain pathways, she initially resisted. But what started as rehabilitation became a lifeline. It was her new calling and a profound path to self-discovery and healing. 

Here’s what you’ll take away from Cheri’s incredible journey:

• Art truly can be medicine for the mind and soul
• Art helps you connect with your true self
• Embracing discomfort and finding your community are essential steps for any artist ready to go pro

Until next time, y’all!

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Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review so I can keep bringing peeps all the need-to-know about Honest Art®. We artists have to stick together, right? 

Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art? Email me at amy@jodieking.com!

Resources Mentioned: 

• Learn more about Cheri’s art: https://www.carandanisfineart.com/
• Stay in touch with Cheri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carandanisfineart/ 
• Stay in touch with Cheri on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carandanisfineart 
• Learn more about Studio Elite: https://www.jodiekingart.com/studioelite
• Learn more about the Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has 
• Join me at my Santa Fe workshop in July: https://www.santafeartistgetaway.com/service-page/honest-art-2?referral=service_list_widget 
• Join me at my Austin workshop in October: https://jodieking.com/honest-art-workshop-austin-october-2025  
• Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima: https://amzn.to/44PplTL 

• Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6 
• How are you liking the Honest Art Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!    
• Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC64Vn6NF5BfiwLNTSb_VnDA  

Want more from Jodie?

Learn from Jodie:

🎨The Color Course for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/ccfr  

🎨Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has 

🎨Studio Elite: https://www.jodiekingart.com/studioelite  

See some of Jodie’s favorite resources:

✍🏻Check out my free guide on how to hang and wire a painting: https://www.jodiekingart.com/how-to-hang-a-painting 

✍🏻Get my top 10 studio tools here: https://www.jodiekingart.com/10-studio-tools-opt-in 

✍🏻Learn 5 things they don’t teach you in art school: https://jodieking.com/work-with-me#free-rescources.0  

✍🏻See Jodie’s favorite things: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jodie_king_ 

🧘🏼‍♀️Guided Meditation for Creative Clarity: https://www.jodiekingart.com/guided-meditation