Jeffrey has a conversation with spiritual artist Matananda who was born in Scotland and grew up in Northern England. After spending a year in Burgundy, France as an au-pair, Matananda earned her Bachelors degree in International Relations, Politics, History and French from The University of Teesside in Middlesbrough UK which led her to a postgraduate scholarship at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After finishing her program, Matananda stayed in Jerusalem, eventually devoting all her time as a Kabbalah teacher and spiritual guide providing individual counseling, workshops and classes. 
In 2000, Matananda left her practice and was led to travel to India, Nepal and Tibet where she deepened her consciousness and learned many aspects of ancient spiritual practices.
In 2001, Matananda moved to the United States with her husband Levi Ben-Shmuel and in 2003 was inspired by a dream she had while pregnant with her as yet unborn son. In the dream, he appeared to her and told her to paint, and so she began to refocus on her artistic direction. It was the fulfillment of some causes she put in motion many years before.
Matananda had planned on going to art school before she was 18, but her life took her in another direction. Matananda had a major transformational spiritual experience at that time where she received spiritual gifts and access to spiritual teachers and other realms. From the time she had this remarkable experience, Matananda began her spiritual work that continues to this day.
Matananda has been on this spiritual path for 30 years and brings a spiritual consciousness to all of her creative endeavors. She not only is making new artworks, but is also continuing to work on a book of children’s angel stories, and a screenplay.
As Matananda says of her work today:
“Art making for me is a spiritual experience and practice. It is a passionate, meditative flow of inspiration where I connect deeply with Spirit and work spontaneously. I create color-saturated abstract paintings using oils, acrylic, pastel, and mixed media collaborations. My approach is universal, drawing on many religion’s teachings and teachers, and spiritual experiences to create a body of work that embraces, explores and magnifies themâ€.
Matananda has that rare ability to cross spiritual awareness with humor and humility with heart, soul and beauty. We had a great time in our conversation exploring her wonderful personal adventure of life filled with surprises and challenges that will uplift anyone who listens.
A true gem in the community of artists in Santa Fe.
The Omni Art Salon theme music, When Angels Smile, is provided courtesy of Back To Earth
art au pair back to earth burgundy france childrens angels stories consciousness hebrew university of jerusalem history india international relations jeffrey milburn kabbalah levi ben shmuel matananda middlesbrough uk nepal northern england omni art salon politics santa fe scotland tibet transformational experience university of teesside when angels smile
Both interviewer and guest artist are so delightful and inspiring. I shared in the divine laughter and learned so much!
I feel so honored and privileged to know you personally, Mataji, and have your paintings in my home! May you go from strength to strength!
Dear Matananda,
Greetings from Jerusalem. Thanks for your wonderful work.