Before anything else, this volume is shaped by the voices and stories of contributors who are exploring what it means to awaken—through creativity, faith, color, memory, and lived experience. Each artist brings a unique perspective, offering not just their work, but the heart behind it. As you move through their stories, you’ll find reflections that feel both deeply personal and quietly familiar.
That’s the spirit behind the Spring 2026 issue of The Turquoise Iris Journal—a volume centered on the theme Awaken. A season of becoming. Of stepping into what has been growing beneath the surface. (Layout sneak peeks at the bottom of this post!)
This issue invites you to notice what’s already stirring within you… and to trust it.
Don’t miss this issue.
Subscribe to The Turquoise Iris Journal and have each volume delivered straight to your door—or enjoy instant access to the digital edition.
Contributors & Featured Stories in the Spring 2026 Issue
Before anything else, this volume is shaped by the voices and stories of contributors who are exploring what it means to awaken—through creativity, faith, color, memory, and lived experience.
Inside these pages, you’ll meet artists and storytellers who are not just creating… but evolving.
Ellis Hollering
The Netherlands – Layers of Feminine Expression & Depth
Ellis Hollering is an abstract realist painter whose work explores transformation through layered color, intuition, and emotional depth. Her process balances structure and freedom, allowing each piece to evolve organically while reflecting her personal growth. In this issue, she invites readers to embrace imperfection and trust the quiet evolution happening within their creative journey. Follow Ellis on Instagram @ellishollering_art
Amber Michelle
Texas – Expressions of Beauty and Color
Amber Michelle is an artist, writer, and mentor whose work blends creativity with faith, slow living, and intentional rhythms. Her perspective is rooted in nurturing both the creative spirit and the whole person—heart, mind, body, and soul. In this issue, she shares how creativity can become a grounding, sacred practice that invites renewal and deeper connection. Follow Amber on Instagram @ambermichlle.art
Britta Tabor
Georgia – Unleashing the Power
Britta Tabor is an empowerment coach and creative voice who encourages women to step boldly into their identity and presence. Her story is one of resilience, growth, and choosing confidence through every season of life. In this issue, she challenges readers to release limiting beliefs and embrace their voice with courage and clarity. Follow Britta on Instagram @thebrittatabor
Maria Elena Rose Leon
Barbados – Radiating Love & Positivity
Maria Elena Rose Leon is an artist and designer whose work centers around love, healing, and emotional connection. Her signature heart-inspired creations reflect a journey of softness, strength, and trust in the creative process. In this issue, she reminds readers that awakening often begins quietly—and that creating from the heart can ripple outward in powerful ways. Follow Maria Elana on Instagram @olelove.mariashearts
Tracey Paul
Ontario, Canada – Sculpting Timeless, Lifelike Beauty
Tracey Paul is a designer and artist known for her intricate, hand-sculpted clay florals that blend realism with creativity. Her work is shaped by years of experience, curiosity, and a deep understanding of color and form. In this issue, she offers a glimpse into how creative confidence grows over time—petal by petal, layer by layer. Follow Tracey on Instagram – @flowergirlclay
Julia Veenstra
Ontario, Canada – Living and Working Artfully
Julia Veenstra is a contemporary artist and advocate for creative community, known for her vibrant work and leadership in the art world. Her approach to creativity extends beyond the canvas, creating opportunities for artists to be seen, supported, and valued. In this issue, she shares insight into building a sustainable creative life rooted in both personal expression and meaningful connection. Follow Julia on Instagram @jveenstraartist
Together, these contributors offer more than inspiration—they offer perspective, encouragement, and a deeper invitation to explore what awakening looks like in your own life.
Curators: A Collective Guiding the Conversation
Alongside this issue’s contributors is a thoughtfully selected group of curators—artists, teachers, and creative guides who help shape the heart of each volume. Their perspectives bring depth to the theme of Awaken, offering reflections that are honest, layered, and rooted in real life.
Each curator approaches creativity differently, but together, they create a conversation that invites you to slow down, listen inward, and trust your own process.
This Spring’s curators include:
Porsha Chalmers
Georgia
Storytelling, sound, and handmade ritual weave together in Porsha’s work, creating space for healing and reflection. Her approach to creativity is deeply rooted in honoring personal stories and the meaning they carry. Follow Porsha on Instagram: @thesilverbohemian
Kimberly Conrad
Colorado artist, author, and certified life coach, Kimberly empowers women to reconnect with their creativity and live with intention. Her work blends personal growth with artistic expression, encouraging joy, confidence, and authenticity. Follow Kimberly on Instagram: @thesplendidlifestudio
Andie Hamilton
Texas
Through painting and photography, Andie captures emotion, movement, and story in a way that feels both intuitive and expressive. Her creative journey reflects a growing confidence in sharing her work and trusting her artistic voice. Follow Andie on Instagram: @andieincolor
Royce Hunt
Arizona
A maker at heart, Royce is known for transforming overlooked objects into meaningful, beautiful pieces. Her work is rooted in curiosity, resourcefulness, and the belief that creativity has the power to build confidence and connection. Follow Royce on Instagram: @roycycled
BJ Massa
Indiana
With a spirit shaped by travel and curiosity, BJ brings humor, boldness, and spontaneity into her creative work. She embraces the unexpected, reminding others that creativity thrives when we say yes—even before we feel ready. Follow BJ on Instagram: @junkdup
Kim White
Switzerland
Kim’s work is expressive, adventurous, and layered with color, reflecting a life shaped by travel and creative exploration. Her perspective invites a quieter kind of awakening—one rooted in focus, clarity, and creative discipline. Follow Kim on Instagram: @kimwhite.art
Renee Smith
Missouri
Renee’s work is a reflection of heart, home, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Through her art, she nurtures connection, creativity, and gratitude—reminding us that even small, quiet practices can bring us back to ourselves. Follow Renee on Instagram: @rainy.day.vintage
Through their Curator Roundtable Talks, they explore what awakening looks like in real life:
- Learning to listen inward instead of rushing forward
- Letting go of control and embracing change
- Building confidence through creativity
- Quieting the noise to find clarity
- Reconnecting with gratitude, memory, and meaning
These reflections are not just ideas—they are lived experiences. Honest, layered, and deeply human.
A Word from Dionne: Awakening Isn’t Instant
In her opening Heart Talk, Dionne Woods (Oklahoma) reminds us that awakening doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something that’s been forming all along. What we see now—the color, the confidence, the creativity—is often the result of unseen growth. Roots deepening. Ideas forming. Courage building. As she shares, awakening isn’t about rushing forward. It’s about showing up.
And this volume reflects that beautifully—from the “Nebula Flora” cover story, where bold light emerges from dark layers, to the creative prompts and reflections woven throughout the issue. Follow Dionne on Instagram @theturquoiseiris
What You’ll Experience Inside This Volume
The Spring issue is rich with both inspiration and interaction.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Dionne’s in-studio journal documenting the creation of her latest collection
- Curator roundtable conversations centered on real creative growth
- Hands-on creative exercises, like mandala mindstreaming
- 36 Ways to Feel Most Alive This Spring—a guided exploration of creativity and presence
- Artist features and storytelling that blend technique with meaning
This isn’t just something to read. It’s something to experience.
An Invitation to Awaken
This issue is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out to begin.
You don’t need clarity before you start. You don’t need confidence before you create. You simply need willingness.
As you turn these pages, you may find yourself asking:
- What is already awakening in me?
- What have I been ready for… but hesitant to step into?
- What would it look like to trust that?
Ready to Experience the Spring Volume?
The Spring 2026 issue of The Turquoise Iris Journal is available in both print and digital formats, designed to be something you return to again and again.
Subscribe to receive each volume delivered to your door
Or purchase a single copy to experience this issue firsthand
This is more than a magazine.
It’s a collection of voices, stories, and creative moments—curated to meet you right where you are.
