Nurturing creativity and self-expression through art
Nurturing creativity and self-expression through art
At Howling Moon Studio, your creativity is the focus of our work. Come and experience the therapeutic beauty of color and form through artistic exploration, introspective writing, storytelling and grounding meditative work. Howling Moon is a place to safely engage with others and move deeply into accessing your own creative spirit.
Meet Your Teacher
A bit about Jesse
A bit about Jesse
Jesse Hays is an artist, a writer, and a mother. She is a certified Waldorf teacher as well as an architect. Jesse has a lifelong love of the arts and a passion for guiding children, and adults in finding their expression. Through Jesse’s work, students often find that they approach the creative realm in a joyous and self-empowering way.
Certified Waldorf Teacher, Sound Circle Center, Seattle, WA, 2010
Doctor of Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, Italy, 1997
Published in The Quaranzine: Poetry in the Time of Covid-19
Class offerings
Class offerings
Summer Camps for Artists ages 8-16
Session 1: August 4, 5, 6 Tues-Thurs • Session 2: August 18, 19, 20 Tues-Thurs
Summer is a perfect time to gather in a non-rushed environment to harness creativity and work on developing artistic abilities. Over the course of three days students will paint, draw from nature, develop an understanding of new artistic media, take on a creative craft and make use of the written word in both collaborative and free-thinking ways. The opportunity is provided to allow students to practice giving and receiving feedback on artwork produced in compassionate and positive ways. Timing: 9AM-3PM (drop-off as early as 8:30AM – we start working at 9AM)
Cost of three-day camp session: sliding scale $250-325
Summer Camps for Artists ages 8-16
Session 1: August 4, 5, 6 Tues-Thurs • Session 2: August 18, 19, 20 Tues-Thurs
Summer is a perfect time to gather in a non-rushed environment to harness creativity and work on developing artistic abilities. Over the course of three days students will paint, draw from nature, develop an understanding of new artistic media, take on a creative craft and make use of the written word in both collaborative and free-thinking ways. The opportunity is provided to allow students to practice giving and receiving feedback on artwork produced in compassionate and positive ways. Timing: 9AM-3PM (drop-off as early as 8:30AM – we start working at 9AM)
Cost of three-day camp session: sliding scale $250-325
Creative Writing Camp for ages 10-16
Two-day Camp: August 10-11
During this two-day camp students will be undergoing a journey in the wonderful land of words. We will be building word treasure troves to enliven our descriptions. Students will work collectively and independently through play-acting and word games to inspire and broaden their creativity with words. Over the two days, we will hear and write different styles of poetry, such as rhyming, free verse, acrostics, and limericks. Students will learn about incorporating dialogue, humor, sensory descriptions, points of view, and 'showing' versus 'telling' styles. As a final project, students will produce a narrative piece in the form of a short story or a personal essay, and will have a chance to share it with the group.
Cost of two-day camp session: sliding scale $150-225
Creative Writing Camp for ages 10-16
Two-day Camp: August 10-11
During this two-day camp students will be undergoing a journey in the wonderful land of words. We will be building word treasure troves to enliven our descriptions. Students will work collectively and independently through play-acting and word games to inspire and broaden their creativity with words. Over the two days, we will hear and write different styles of poetry, such as rhyming, free verse, acrostics, and limericks. Students will learn about incorporating dialogue, humor, sensory descriptions, points of view, and 'showing' versus 'telling' styles. As a final project, students will produce a narrative piece in the form of a short story or a personal essay, and will have a chance to share it with the group.
Cost of two-day camp session: sliding scale $150-225
After School Art Groups
Monday or Thursday afternoons 3:15-5:15pm • September-June • ages 8-14
These sessions are catered to a small group of students ages 8-14. Over time, students will explore different media (watercolor, pastels, pencil, charcoal, crafts). Lessons will focus on process, rather than product. Students learn to receive and give positive feedback on their work.
Monthly cost is $175
After School Art Groups
Monday or Thursday afternoons 3:15-5:15pm • September-June • ages 8-14
These sessions are catered to a small group of students ages 8-14. Over time, students will explore different media (watercolor, pastels, pencil, charcoal, crafts). Lessons will focus on process, rather than product. Students learn to receive and give positive feedback on their work.
Monthly cost is $175
After School Creative Writing Group
Tuesday or Wednesday (TBA) • September-June
Students will work both collectively and independently through games and play-acting to inspire and broaden their creative use of words. Over the year students will hear and choose from different styles of poetry (rhyming, free verse, acrostics, limericks) to write their own poems. Students will also produce short stories or personal essays, and will learn about incorporating dialogue, humor, descriptions from the sense world, points of view, and showing versus telling styles. Students learn to receive and give positive feedback on their work.
Monthly cost is $175
After School Creative Writing Group
Tuesday or Wednesday (TBA) • September-June
Students will work both collectively and independently through games and play-acting to inspire and broaden their creative use of words. Over the year students will hear and choose from different styles of poetry (rhyming, free verse, acrostics, limericks) to write their own poems. Students will also produce short stories or personal essays, and will learn about incorporating dialogue, humor, descriptions from the sense world, points of view, and showing versus telling styles. Students learn to receive and give positive feedback on their work.
Monthly cost is $175
Wednesday Morning Art Circle
Wednesdays 8:30-10:30am • September-June • twice monthly
In this women’s circle you will find a unique blend of soul work and a roadmap to nurturing your creative Self. This small group is dedicated to four-five women interested in grounded meditative processes, spiritual invocation, self-exploration and developing one’s artistic capacities. We meet two Wednesdays a month, and our time together is a journey aimed at healing the heart and senses through a guided art lesson, storytelling, movement, and singing.
Sliding scale $40-80 per session
Wednesday Morning Art Circle
Wednesdays 8:30-10:30am • September-June • twice monthly
In this women’s circle you will find a unique blend of soul work and a roadmap to nurturing your creative Self. This small group is dedicated to four-five women interested in grounded meditative processes, spiritual invocation, self-exploration and developing one’s artistic capacities. We meet two Wednesdays a month, and our time together is a journey aimed at healing the heart and senses through a guided art lesson, storytelling, movement, and singing.
Sliding scale $40-80 per session
Tuesday Morning Storytelling and Journaling Circle
Tuesdays 8:30-10:30am • September-June • twice monthly
In this women’s circle you will find a unique blend of soul work and a roadmap to nurturing your creative Self. This small group is dedicated to four-five women interested in grounded meditative processes, spiritual invocation, self-exploration and developing one’s expressive capacities in the realms of the written and spoken word. We meet two Tuesdays a month, and our time together is a journey aimed at nurturing the heart and senses through storytelling, life stories, journaling, movement, and singing.
Sliding scale $40-80 per session
Tuesday Morning Storytelling and Journaling Circle
Tuesdays 8:30-10:30am • September-June • twice monthly
In this women’s circle you will find a unique blend of soul work and a roadmap to nurturing your creative Self. This small group is dedicated to four-five women interested in grounded meditative processes, spiritual invocation, self-exploration and developing one’s expressive capacities in the realms of the written and spoken word. We meet two Tuesdays a month, and our time together is a journey aimed at nurturing the heart and senses through storytelling, life stories, journaling, movement, and singing.
Sliding scale $40-80 per session
Private Sessions
Private sessions last 75 to 90 minutes and are for working one on one and developing artistic capacities, as well as working deeply in a chosen medium.
Sliding scale $75-125
Private Sessions
Private sessions last 75 to 90 minutes and are for working one on one and developing artistic capacities, as well as working deeply in a chosen medium.
Sliding scale $75-125
Family Sessions
Family sessions are for a parent and child, or a subset of family members who wish to receive the healing, therapeutic effects of art in a world that is racing at an increasingly fast pace. Sessions last 75-90 minutes.
Sliding scale $90-150
Family Sessions
Family sessions are for a parent and child, or a subset of family members who wish to receive the healing, therapeutic effects of art in a world that is racing at an increasingly fast pace. Sessions last 75-90 minutes.
Sliding scale $90-150
Creative Writing Class
If you are interested in being part of a creative writing class, reach out to me!
Creative Writing Class
If you are interested in being part of a creative writing class, reach out to me!
Students’ Work
Testimonials
“As a beginner, what mattered most to me was becoming comfortable with painting and drawing, and now I feel much more at ease expressing myself creatively. Jesse is a truly wonderful teacher—encouraging, supportive, and inspiring. I also love the spiritual focus on women and the comfortable, intimate environment that makes every session relaxing and uplifting.” – Ana
“It is lovely participating in the intentional community that Jesse has built to focus on expansion through art, stories, and companionship. The art projects we have done are great for those of us without any art background and it has also been incredible to see what those with an arts background create. It is a wonderful time during the week to breathe, check in, and be present.” – Christy
“Jesse’s work with my daughter has been transformative. What began as ‘I am not good at art.’ turned into ‘Mama, I’m really proud of this!’ Jesse’s weekly art classes have provided a nourishing place where my child’s nervous system is nourished and she is gently led to connect more deeply with herself. I feel lucky to have this resource as a part of our family’s life.” – Jennifer
Discover your
creative potential
Through the years, I've helped numerous students discover their inspiration. This work brings me great joy and has been empowering to many.