Sketch by Sketch: Process Your Emotions Through Creativity | 092
Thu Feb 05 2026
Sheila Darcey’s Sketch By Sketch changed my life. So, we’re talking about the book, and how the daily sketch practice she’s developed for herself and thousands of others helps us process emotions when words fall short.
And before you back away with “I can’t even draw a stick figure” (like I did), hold on. This isn’t about drawing or creating art, it’s about connecting with your unconscious wisdom to create marks of free expression that precede and transcend language.
Sheila starts her story with the fear of flying that became her doorway to sketching, not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a somatic tool. This daily practice became an effective way to get out of her head and into her body, process trauma, and build a sense of safety that other methods hadn’t provided.
Having grown up in an environment distorted by addiction and fear, Sheila recalls how creativity helped expand her emotional vocabulary, and reconnect with parts of herself she had abandoned. We talk about childhood survival, and how many of us disconnect from our bodies simply to cope. Leaning into curiosity and creativity help dissolve the judgment that gets in the way of compassion.
We cover why sketching with a pen not a pencil helps us beat back perfectionism and performance, and leap into the unknown. Through sketching, we can transmute shame and other oppressive emotions into feelings that strengthen possibility.
Sheila invites us to reframe boredom, rest, stillness, imagination, and innovation, and consider our generational and energetic imprints. Healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about relating to ourselves differently.
Sheila’s key point: Creativity is not a luxury but a necessity.
TESS’S TAKEAWAYS
Creativity expands our emotional lexicon.
Creativity helps us connect to the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored or abandoned.
Part of the creative process is leaping into the unknown and inviting co-creation.
Sketching can be a therapeutic practice to identify and process thoughts and emotions.
Sketching can be a daily embodiment practice like meditation or yoga.
Sketching is fast and loose—you don’t have to get attached.
“Letting go” is not an act of releasing, but accepting what has been there.
Sketches are modern-day hieroglyphics—marks that transcend language.
ABOUT SHEILA
Founder of SketchPoetic®, and author of Sketch By Sketch, artist Sheila Darcey teaches a transformational sketching practice that enables people to access emotional healing through intuitive expression.
Sheila created the Living Canvas Foundation™, a nonprofit supporting healing, connection, and social impact through creativity. She serves as its executive director.
Through her art, workshops, community-based art initiatives, and innovative use of technology, Sheila creates spaces where people can access their creativity as a pathway to connect with emotions and gain personal insight.
Her work bridges art, wellness, and consciousness, tapping into personal and collective storytelling, and is rooted in the belief that every life is a dynamic canvas.
CONNECT WITH SHEILA
Sketch Poetic®: https://www.sketchpoetic.com/
Living Canvas Foundation™: https://livingcanvasfoundation.org/
Sketch By Sketch Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Creative-Emotional-Transformation-SketchPoetic/dp/1250773873/
Substack: https://sheiladarcey.substack.com/
Instagram: a...
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Sheila Darcey’s Sketch By Sketch changed my life. So, we’re talking about the book, and how the daily sketch practice she’s developed for herself and thousands of others helps us process emotions when words fall short. And before you back away with “I can’t even draw a stick figure” (like I did), hold on. This isn’t about drawing or creating art, it’s about connecting with your unconscious wisdom to create marks of free expression that precede and transcend language. Sheila starts her story with the fear of flying that became her doorway to sketching, not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a somatic tool. This daily practice became an effective way to get out of her head and into her body, process trauma, and build a sense of safety that other methods hadn’t provided. Having grown up in an environment distorted by addiction and fear, Sheila recalls how creativity helped expand her emotional vocabulary, and reconnect with parts of herself she had abandoned. We talk about childhood survival, and how many of us disconnect from our bodies simply to cope. Leaning into curiosity and creativity help dissolve the judgment that gets in the way of compassion. We cover why sketching with a pen not a pencil helps us beat back perfectionism and performance, and leap into the unknown. Through sketching, we can transmute shame and other oppressive emotions into feelings that strengthen possibility. Sheila invites us to reframe boredom, rest, stillness, imagination, and innovation, and consider our generational and energetic imprints. Healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about relating to ourselves differently. Sheila’s key point: Creativity is not a luxury but a necessity. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Creativity expands our emotional lexicon. Creativity helps us connect to the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored or abandoned. Part of the creative process is leaping into the unknown and inviting co-creation. Sketching can be a therapeutic practice to identify and process thoughts and emotions. Sketching can be a daily embodiment practice like meditation or yoga. Sketching is fast and loose—you don’t have to get attached. “Letting go” is not an act of releasing, but accepting what has been there. Sketches are modern-day hieroglyphics—marks that transcend language. ABOUT SHEILA Founder of SketchPoetic®, and author of Sketch By Sketch, artist Sheila Darcey teaches a transformational sketching practice that enables people to access emotional healing through intuitive expression. Sheila created the Living Canvas Foundation™, a nonprofit supporting healing, connection, and social impact through creativity. She serves as its executive director. Through her art, workshops, community-based art initiatives, and innovative use of technology, Sheila creates spaces where people can access their creativity as a pathway to connect with emotions and gain personal insight. Her work bridges art, wellness, and consciousness, tapping into personal and collective storytelling, and is rooted in the belief that every life is a dynamic canvas. CONNECT WITH SHEILA Sketch Poetic®: https://www.sketchpoetic.com/ Living Canvas Foundation™: https://livingcanvasfoundation.org/ Sketch By Sketch Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Creative-Emotional-Transformation-SketchPoetic/dp/1250773873/ Substack: https://sheiladarcey.substack.com/ Instagram: a...