Dena Lester is a Melbourne-based artist, mother, grandmother and founder of The Melbourne Studio of Art, a fine arts school for adults and children. Her life has brought together making art, raising a family, running a business and a longstanding curiosity about what shapes us.

Through her creative practice and personal exploration, Dena became interested in the connections between personal suffering, cultural wounds and creative expression. Her experiences of Jungian and Gestalt therapy eventually led her to Shadow Work, where she found a way to explore the parts of ourselves we learn to hide, judge or silence.

In 2019, Dena qualified as a Shadow Work Coach and Group Facilitator. Her approach is informed by her experiences of Shadow Work weekends and facilitator training, the Women in Power Initiation Weekend, and the everyday challenges of family, relationships and working life.

Dena has a particular interest in helping people work through creative blocks. She supports people to explore the self-doubt, perfectionism and fear of judgement that can make it difficult to begin, express themselves or trust their own ideas. You do not need to be an artist to work with her.

Alongside helping to build a Shadow Work community in Australia, Dena offers individual coaching via Zoom and in person in Melbourne. With limited appointments available, she offers single sessions, longer intensive sessions and packages of sessions for those wanting to explore a particular concern over time.

A complimentary introductory conversation offers an opportunity to ask questions and explore whether working together feels right for you.