Daily Inspiration: Meet Gloria Barthel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Barthel.

Hi Gloria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a proud Latin American born in Colombia. I grew up in a small town called Alcalá. I had to live with my grandparents since the age of one, as my parents abandoned me then. We were very poor when I was little which made it very difficult to have a healthy childhood. Due to the harsh environment I lived in when I was growing up, I became accustomed to making the best out of every situation, as sometimes I felt like I was operating in survival mode. I learned to appreciate the little things more and more as the days went by. As a child, my favorite class in school was art. I absolutely loved anything that would help me connect with my creative self. I really enjoyed drawing and coloring my own drawings because it was the only way I knew to disconnect from my reality to reach some sort of peace and calm that I had not often experienced.

When I became fourteen years old, I left home to start a family of my own. This task wasn’t easy as I was forced to grow up incredibly fast. During this stage in my life, I married and had two beautiful children. Art, however, was always in the back of my mind. I always yearned for the feeling of getting lost in my sketches. I missed it. All the hardship experiences I had eventually led me to start a spiritual path in 2004. This spiritual journey was one of inner healing and self-discovery. I became a Spiritual Teacher, High Priestess, Ritual Master, and Shamanic practitioner.Today I stand as a widow, empty nester, and cancer survivor. I have finally taken the steps to pursue a dream I never had the chance to turn into reality. I joined the Real Academy of Art and took on the challenge to push my artistic skills beyond what I thought possible, and I do so by embracing the world of the classic Atelier.

I feel it is never too late to pursue your happiness. You can do anything you set your mind to! The feeling of achieving your dreams can bring you so much joy. Personally, it has brought me a sense of gratification and gratefulness in every painting. Painting allows me to express my own feelings and freedom. By connecting to all of my life experiences, I will continue to paint stories I hope will take your mind on a path to of self-healing and discovery.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. But that’s what is life about great and no so great experiences, ups and downs, moments of happiness and others of despair and sadness and all this had make me strong and resilient in all my endeavors. Now looking back, what a magnificent journey, I’m so grateful for each and every experience that brought me here today. I have such a sense of accomplishment.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The best job in the world is getting to do what I love and be able to express my self everyday thru drawing and painting. Also get to practice my other passion which is spiritual guide and healing practitioner. It definitely make me feel whole.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Ali Ghasan Art director and instructor at Real Academy of Art Colorado. My loving partner Ceasar Jha my everyday supporter. My kids Daniel Barthel and Juliana Mejia great cheerleaders. My sister Paola Bacher my rock always there motivating me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Gloriadivineart.com
• Instagram: Gloriathel
• Facebook: Gloria Fine Art