avg_rating: 4.25
name: Michele-lee Phelan
about: Ravynne Phelan, a.k.a. Michele-lee Phelan, has been painting since the year 2000. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an artist, but fell into a state of despair and confusion in her teenage years when many told her a career in art was an unattainable dream. Made vulnerable by mental illness, she believed this to be truth and laid down her brushes. For the next fourteen years she lived in a world of grey, empty of colour, dreams, and goals until she was officially diagnosed with depression and introduced to art as a form of emotional release and therapy.This unconventional form of treatment rekindled the dreams of the child, and at 33 years of age, Ravynne took upon herself the mantle of professional artist and illustrator. She knew, with e Ravynne Phelan, a.k.a. Michele-lee Phelan, has been painting since the year 2000. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an artist, but fell into a state of despair and confusion in her teenage years when many told her a career in art was an unattainable dream. Made vulnerable by mental illness, she believed this to be truth and laid down her brushes. For the next fourteen years she lived in a world of grey, empty of colour, dreams, and goals until she was officially diagnosed with depression and introduced to art as a form of emotional release and therapy.This unconventional form of treatment rekindled the dreams of the child, and at 33 years of age, Ravynne took upon herself the mantle of professional artist and illustrator. She knew, with every fibre of her being, that some dreams are more than just dreams; they are destiny, and it was her destiny to become an artist and to share her journey and her message of magic, healing, and self-empowerment with others.But this truth did not manifest as her reality until, after several years as a commercial artist and illustrator, Ravynne began to feel an emptiness once more. After much soul-searching, she came to understand that her creativity was meant to have more of a spiritual meaning and message. She dedicated herself to Great Spirit and Gaia and turned her back upon a growing career as a fantasy book-cover artist and children's book illustrator in order to first illustrate, and then to write and illustrate, oracle and tarot cards. From that moment, her life was transformed. Every artwork is now a collaborative endeavour between Ravynne, Great Spirit, and Gaia, and Ravynne has found herself on a path of healing and happiness Why? Because she has dared to live her dream.As a professional illustrator, Ravynne - under the name of Michele-lee Phelan - has completed the cover artwork and internal illustrations for many publications, inlcluding the 'Oracle Of The Dragonfae' by Lucy Cavendish and 'Mythic Oracle' with Carisa Mellado (both from Blue Angel Publishing). Her book, the stunning 'Dreams of Magic' was her first solo publication and an expression of her blossoming creativity and love for the Divine.In 2011, Michele-lee became Ravynne to celebrate and honour the magical path she has walked in service to Gaia and Great Spirit, and to mark the end of her battle with depression. At the time she believed her hurts to have been healed as she moved forward with lighter step and joy in her heart.The Messenger Oracle was the second manifestation of her dreams of magic, and was released in 2012. It was not long after its release, that Ravynne fell victim to exhaustion, and was unofficially diagnosed with Bipolar II. The hypomanic episodes were few and far between, but after lengthy discussions with her doctor it was agreed that a history of manic episodes could be both established and traced back to her mid teens. The original diagnosis of depression was changed to Bipolar II and suddenly, periods upheavel and chaos in a normally routine and ordered life, made a lot more sense.Ravynne has embraced a very integral form of treatment - a regimen of supplements to combat nutritional deficits, cognitive behaviour therapy, mindfulness, meditation, structured routine, healthy work ethic, diet, and sleep patterns - but, life can throw curveballs on occassion and when she split from her long-time partner in 2015, the stress of the split, finishing the Dreams of Gaia Tarot and several other projects resulted in another minor episode in early 2016, confirming the diagnosis of Bipolar. At this time, Ravynne is looking after herself and recovering well.In July, 2016, the long awaited Dreams of Gaia Tarot was released, and Ravynne now works on several new projects - a dragon oracle and several colouring in books. ...more