What if the pain you never asked for could still become a place where beauty, courage, and connection grow? In this heartfelt Season 3 conversation of Enduring Grief, Sarah Peterson, LCSW welcomes artist and author Mary Marquiss to discuss Behind the Painting: An Artist’s Memoir. Mary shares how painting and writing helped her live through miscarriages, divorce, family suicide, stroke, cancer, betrayal, and deep grief. Together, Sarah and Mary talk about letting go, trusting change, asking for help, and honoring both anger and gratitude without shame. This episode offers a kind reminder that grief has no set timeline, healing can look many ways, and even in the darkest seasons, we do not have to face loss alone.

Mary Marquiss has been an art teacher and artist for thirty years, and is the forthcoming author of ‘Behind the Painting – An Artist’s Memoir”. Through serious life challenges, including divorce, family suicide, and cancer, Marquiss discovered a relationship with her art in the form of a circular language. If you have ever faced what felt like insurmountable life challenges, her stories and paintings will inspire you. With a degree in psychology, and both an artist and writer, the most provocative element to her paintings is their personal content.

Learn more about Mary:

IG - https://www.instagram.com/mary.marquiss/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/MaryMarquissArtist/

Grab a copy of her book: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Painting-Artists-Mary-Marquiss-ebook/dp/B0GNSHVP86?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Episode highlights:

(1:03) Season 3 begins and Mary Marquiss is introduced

(3:17) Mary shares the heart behind Behind the Painting

(5:24) Living through loss, divorce, stroke, and cancer

(7:05) Change, letting go, and choosing your response

(8:40) Empathy, support, and being present with pain

(14:57) Art as a way to listen to the body and heal

(19:31) Betrayal, forgiveness, and the time it takes

(25:21) Choosing beauty while still honoring darkness

(33:42) Reaching out and remembering you are not alone

(35:00) Self-kindness, rest, and caring for your whole self

Connect with Sarah:

✅ Instagram: instagram.com/clearmourning

✅ Official Website: clearmourning.org

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