Meet Jamie Consolo | Creative Workshop Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Consolo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, how does your business help the community?
Maya Roars is about creating spaces where people feel safe to create without judgment. Art can be incredibly therapeutic and empowering, especially for people who think they aren’t ‘good at art.’ By leading paint parties and creative workshops, I help people reconnect with their creativity, build confidence, and share meaningful moments with others. I love seeing kids and adults light up when they realize they can create something beautiful. In that way, the business contributes to community connection, self-expression, and joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a very shy child, art class was one place where I felt confident. I also have good memories of sitting at the table drawing with my dad, and those early moments helped shape my love for creativity. Art became a space where I could explore ideas and emotions without needing to have all the answers.

I went on to study art at San Diego State University, where I focused on graphic design. Over time, I also fell in love with intuitive painting. What I love most about intuitive painting is that it removes the pressure of a “perfect” outcome. Instead, it invites people to play with color, movement, and feeling. That philosophy is something I bring into all of my workshops and paint experiences.

Professionally, my path hasn’t been perfectly linear, but I’ve learned that creativity often grows in unexpected ways. Through teaching art and connecting with families and communities, I realized how powerful it is when people are given permission to create without judgment. Many people walk into a workshop believing they’re “not artistic,” and watching their confidence grow as they create something they’re proud of is incredibly rewarding.

What I’m most proud of with Maya Roars is creating welcoming spaces where people can reconnect with their creativity and with each other. My hope is that people leave my workshops not only with a painting, but with a sense of joy, confidence, and the reminder that creativity belongs to everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely plan a day in Coronado. We’d start with brunch at The Henry, then wander around Hotel del Coronado soaking in the history and ocean views. After that, we’d grab coffee and enjoy the scenery from Loews Coronado Bay Resort before walking the beach as far south toward Imperial Beach as we could. At night, that stretch of beach can be magical. I’ve even seen incredible shooting stars there.

We’d also spend at least a day exploring La Jolla. I’d probably start with lunch at Trilogy Sanctuary or Parakeet Cafe before strolling down to see the seals and enjoy the coastline around La Jolla Cove.

Another favorite stop would be Del Mar. We’d park near the plaza and bring watercolor supplies up to the rooftop while enjoying coffee from Kini Coffee. Painting with an ocean view always feels like the perfect San Diego moment.

I’d also hope there was a great comedy show in town or a storytelling event with So Say We All so we could spend an evening laughing.

And of course, there would have to be a few dinners in Little Italy—wandering the sidewalk shops, enjoying amazing food, and finishing the night with a walk along the waterfront at Embarcadero Marina Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to give a shoutout to a woman named Cyndi Zacko. Years ago, I adopted my cat Maya from her, and I learned that while she worked a full-time job, she was also running a cat rescue on the side. I remember asking her how I could do something like that—because honestly, I wanted to rescue all the animals too. She advised me to, ‘Start in your own backyard.’

That advice really stayed with me. It shifted my perspective from trying to change the whole world to focusing on the community right around me. I began reaching out to friends with kids and offering to bring art experiences to them, and over time those small gatherings grew into what is now Maya Roars. Her words reminded me that meaningful impact often starts locally, with simple acts of creativity and connection.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maya_roars/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsconsolo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayaroars/