Michele Milan, B.S. Psychology, M.Ed. Education

Hi, I’m Michele Milan—the proud owner of MoxieChicken2, a creative educator, and the facilitator of Paint From Your Soul™.

From 2020 to 2023, I took a leap of faith and was a teacher and counselor at an American School in Dalian, China after my daughter left for college. Turns out, empty nesting didn’t suit me, so I packed my bags and ventured to another country. It was both thrilling and terrifying—a perfect recipe for growth! That’s when MoxieChicken2 was born. You see, I often felt like a total chicken, but I had the moxie to face my fears. The name stuck, because let’s be real—who doesn’t have a bit of cowardice and courage in them?

Fast forward to my latest life adventure: retiring after 24 wonderful years in education. In my quest for meaningful work, I discovered soulful and reflective painting. It was the perfect fusion of my background in counseling, education, and my ever-growing love for art—especially inspired by following my intuition.

In this process, I explored various feminine archetypes—mother, lover, priestess, and warrioress—and was deeply moved by how much I discovered about myself. I found this tool to be incredibly insightful. Unlike talk therapy, which didn’t resonate as strongly with me, my paintings revealed that the answers were already within me, reflecting my inner truth.  This built confidence in myself, my painting and finding a purpose. This isn’t about creating perfect, beautiful art. It’s about creating from my soul to discover myself in a meaningful and authentic way.

When I’m not facilitating transformative art experiences, you’ll find me traveling, biking, camping, or joyfully immersed in a world of paint. I share my life with Jack, one of my favorite humans, and our spirited dog, Rufus. Currently in Minneapolis, we’re preparing for a new chapter in Portland, Oregon. This year, I’m working toward mastering a handstand in the middle of the room and holding it for 30 seconds!

I’m thrilled to share this soulful journey with you.

Join me in playing with paint, exploring archetypes, and reflecting on what your art reveals about your true self.