Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Zaleznick.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Marlene. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In August 2016, my world changed. I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, metastasized to my spine and brain. It was like falling down the rabbit hole of urgency regarding treatment and the reality of death. The future I had consciously and unconsciously envisioned dissolved in an instant. I was not expected to live long.
But against all odds, I am still here and am thriving. There have been lots of ups and downs and many lessons learned as I navigate this path, but perhaps the most fundamental is this:
No matter what, we are bathed in an extraordinary amniotic sea of love.
Love that is not dependent on what we think or what we accomplish.
Love that is not dependent of who we think we are or what we think we deserve.
Love that just is.
It is the kind of love that people who have had near-death experiences describe. By some divine grace, I have been fortunate enough to know this while I am still embodied. It is the hidden gem in my dance with death! And it has changed the way I live and work. I’ve been an energy healer for over 35 years and have extensive training in body-centered psychotherapy, Polarity Therapy, life purpose coaching and meditation. But while I still draw on my past experience and training, something has shifted. Veils between the physical and spirit realms have lifted so my clients and I can go straight to Source. The work is more simplified, gentle and powerful.
I’ve also let myself follow joy. I realized that so many of my small everyday decisions were based in fear – born out of what I “should” do rather than what lifted my heart. I put creativity on the back burner in deference to being practical. But now I realize that saying no to creative expression is like saying no to life force itself. A “chance” meeting with an abstract artist, Betsy Cole, started me on the path of painting. We met at a studio art tour and she said to me “You should paint your cancer journey”. But in my mind, I heard “You should paint God” (as if that is possible, I immediately thought).
But with Betsy’s guidance, I picked up a palette knife and brush and began to play. All I knew is that painting filled me with joy. And that was enough. Over time, I’ve come to see that what comes through in my painting is what I call the inseparability of the physical and unseen realms. I also write poetry around themes of befriending death (and the aliveness that emerges when you do) and unconditional love. I pair poems with paintings in the hope of awakening whispers of spirit. My art has grown organically and turned into a business much to my surprise. I have original paintings and prints for sale. This year I plan to publish a book of poetry and paintings.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, I have to say the answer to that is yes and no. Navigating a life-threatening illness can be a roller coaster of hope and fear. I’ve had to learn how to dive underneath the turbulence to find a sense of fundamental well being no matter my circumstances. In other words, whether I live or die. It’s not always pretty and it’s not always easy, but I have to say, a lot of the fear of death has burned off of me. It’s quite freeing.
I’ve let go of struggling and pushing to make things happen and that has smoothed the road a lot. When I started working again about two years after I was diagnosed, there was much more ease. The two keys have been relaxing and following joy. My perspective on what’s truly important has changed along with a growing sense of trust that I am cared for spiritually. So when I hit roadblocks, I relax, listen and follow my intuition. And my art business has been an organic outgrowth of finally allowing myself to do what brings me joy. There wasn’t time left for anything less.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My business offers three main services:
Energy healing (via private sessions and groups)
Inspirational art and poetry
Feng shui design to help you create a home or office that supports your life intentions.
All offerings are designed to help people go from stressed to blessed so they can let go of fear and anxiety and experience more joy, ease and aliveness.
I’m known for my intuitive abilities as well as clearing and moving energy in our bodies and homes. And much to my surprise, I’ve had an enthusiastic response to my poetry and paintings. But I honestly think one of the hallmarks of my business is the perspective I’ve gained from relating so intimately with death. There is an indestructible confidence in the unconditional love that infuses everything. It’s a source of well being my clients can entrain to. It by-passes overthinking, helps us access our deeper intuitive knowing. and opens possibilities to limitless healing. It’s the ultimate blessing.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started following joy earlier in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marlenezart.com , www.marlenez.com
- Phone: 720-771-1257
- Email: mz@marlenez.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlene.zaleznick

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