Over the years Gwen continued her education in art as a way to relieve some of the stress of her life. Once, during her travels she observed an artist creating watercolor paintings of people’s names using animals, flowers, fish, birds, dolphins and whales. The art was called "Letter Art". The brush that the artist used appeared to be hand made out of some unusual material. Gwen began experimenting with letter art. She developed several new kinds of paint brushes and began creating her own designs. She began to sell her work at arts and craft shows in the Los Angeles area on weekends, dreaming of the possibility of some day being able to support herself as an artist.

Informed by her doctors that the stress was creating MS (Multiple Sclerosis) relapses, Gwen stepped back and took a long hard look at her life, which had been dominated by high powered, stressful job environments for decades. Her survival depended on a total lifestyle change. Fortunately, this time she was ready.

One of the places that Gwen had visited several times was Maui, Hawaii. She always felt that Maui was very special. For her it was a relaxing, magical place where she might heal her body and mind.