Ep. 48 - The Therapeutic Value of Art: A Story of Abuse, Addiction and Perfectionism with Jessica Hughes

**Please Note: This episode/interview contains portions of content that discuss traumas dealing with abuse, addiction and suicidal thoughts and could be triggering.**

Jessica Hughes is a mom of 7 and an incredibly talented artist who had a decades-long career that has taken her from textile designer, to illustrator, art educator, entrepreneur, to her existing endeavor as a professional abstract artist.

But of all she is a survivor. A survivor of sexual abuse, substance abuse, multiple forms of addiction including one I just learned from her called “white collar addiction,” and an eating disorder almost all while being a mom to 7 children.

From the outside, Jessica was the perfect wife, perfect mom living in an upscale suburban neighborhood with the perfect house. But internally, she was suffering so deeply in many ways. If anyone saw the Meghan Markle interview on Sunday, it parallels how no matter how put together or perfect someone looks from the outside, you never know what is happening behind closed doors so have compassion and empathy for everyone. It also showcased a very important point that it is so important to not only ask for help but also get the help you need.

I met Jessica at the end of 2020 and instantaneously, I knew she was an incredible human with the biggest heart and something really special about her.

I am so honored to be able to share her raw and powerful story with you all and hope that her way of using art as an outlet for helping herself and others heal inspires you to look at art as a powerful medium that can bring joy, growth, and self discovery.