Connie Bickman says writing, photography and art are in her blood, referring to 15 years of owning a portrait studio, and a 30-plus-year newspaper and photojournalism career. This includes an eleven year period where she was the co-owner/publisher/editor of Turtle River Press, a publication of spiritual and creative energy. During that time she also was the owner of Fourth Street Marketplace and Art Gallery, where she made and sold her own art along with art from local artists and cultural items she collected on her travels.

TRAVEL/SPIRITIUALITY - Connie’s passion for travel has brought her to over 40 countries, mostly third world. She packed along her journals and camera as these photojournalist-based travels carried her to far corners of the earth in search of adventure and the opportunity to document native cultures, the environment and humanitarian issues.  During this time she came in contact with many cultural and religious concepts, including shamanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other belief systems. On a spiritual journey for over 30 years, she is always eager to both learn and share. She is a Reiki Master, Swedish Massage certified, Level 2 Spring Forest Qigong healer, and has a certificate in “Gaia and the Spirit of Shamanism” from Schumacher College in England.

BOOKS - It was through these journeys that she realized misconceptions she had about the foundation of organized religion and how often people in other countries and cultures had much different perspectives on, not only Christianity and conflicting biblical translations, but also on the original concept of the Christ story itself.  This began years of research and scrutiny to satisfy her own uncertainties. These discoveries resulted in disclosing her findings by weaving them into

“The Touchstone Diary" trilogy: Book I - "The Red Thread of Destiny," Book II - "Bloodlines and Promises," which are published in one volume. Book III - "The Quest" is currently in progress.

Connie has been published internationally in books and magazines, and has won regional and international awards for her photography and writing. Her “Tribe of Women” book received the 1999 Jeanette Fair Tau State Minnesota Women’s Writer Award. 

"Jungle Moon" is the first of a romance series Connie is working on. Current  books by Connie include a children's book, "Pepper and the Stuffy Brigade," concept by Brad Burnette, illustrated by her artist daughter, Kelli Bickman. Her latest release, "Dances with Words," is a diverse collection of writing, filled with almost 50 years of poetry, prose, essays, memoir, musings and fables.

​

Connie has also produced several books based on her travel journals and photography: three trips to Australia including New Zealand and Tahiti; five trips to Africa resulted in three books - Morocco, Egypt/Tanzania/Kenya, Botswana/Namibia; Vietnam; Panama; Yugoslavia/Russia/Greece/Italy; Peru; Belize; Chile; Nova Scotia/New Brunswick/Quebec/Prince Edward Island; U.S. covering states from Coast to Coast-Minnesota north to Key West south, California west to New York east and places in between; family history books; a family cookbook, and other books. She is also working on more books to other countries she traveled to during her photojournalism career and personal journeys, including: Scotland; England/France/Italy; Costa Rica; Bolivia; Ecuador/Galapagos Islands; Trinidad/Tobago; St. Lucia Islands; Israel/Romania; Turkey; Jordan; Nepal; India; United Arab Emirates (UAE)/Borneo/Malaysia; plus state specific books-including Minnesota, Arizona, California, New York Alabama, and state park travels. Connie feels that documenting the landscape and people she has encountered in her lifetime is a good legacy to leave for her future generations.

ART - After exploring many art mediums, Connie's current favorite is working with paper - making collaged art, junk journals, layered treasure cards and adventure journal boxes. Her DOLLZ COLLECTION, made from recycled bits combined with fabric, paper and unexpected objects, features feminine faces, along with uplifting quotes to inspire women and girls.

Connie mixes her love of paper with another favorite - fiber arts. Her wool needle-felted paintings and characters can be found in galleries and have become popular in several states.

Connie lived in Minnesota for much of her life and enjoyed a few years in Woodstock, NY. She is currently settling her gypsy bones to write, photograph and make art in Arizona, with annual trips to New York and Minnesota.