THE INSTINCTUAL WOMAN

Láyla Messner

Photograph of Layla Messner, Reinhold's Messner's daughter, hiking in the mountains in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Photography by Kelly's Perspective.
"I AM [not invisible]", an abstract expressionist painting about invisible disability awareness by autistic art activist Layla Messner.

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Hi, I'm Láyla Messner, the autistic art activist who grew up in the wilderness. My work raises awareness about high-masking autism and invisible disability.

I AM [not invisible] - Layla Messner's story

My Mission

To embody passionate allegiance with nature

so that the vulnerable are not abandoned and humanity reclaims instinct.

How I Work

Nervous System Regulation

By living in harmony with my nature, I anchor in safety and offer co-regulation.

Somatic Attunement

By being present in my body, I provide safe space for myself and others.

Unconditional Love

By welcoming wholeness, I create psychological safety.

Authentic Expression

By using the power of my voice, I shift cultural narratives.

Energy Transmission

Through dreamwork and artwork, I integrate, embody, and transmit instinctual energy.

Get Involved

Art Activism

Become a collector
Get an inside look into my creative process and priority access to new works.

Thought Leadership

Book me to speak
Get your audience thinking differently with talks that reframe autism and disability.

Community-Building

Join the Chameleon Collective
An online sanctuary for high-masking autistic adults recovering from burnout.

About

Layla Messner, the autistic art activist who grew up in the wilderness. A smiling brunette in a polkadot dress and a denim ball cap and hiking boots, sitting in the alpine. Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Photography by David Dethlefs

The Instinctual Woman

Láyla Messner is an autistic art activist who grew up in the wilderness of Canada. Based out of Canmore, Alberta, she creates abstract expressionist paintings in acrylic on canvas. Her work is primal, drawing from the lineage of ancient cave art and modern graffiti.As an autistic artist, painting is her natural language. Her body communicates through gesture, energy, and touch—resulting in uninhibited, tactile paintings that feature organic textures and symbolic shapes.Láyla studied at the Lane School of Art in Decatur, GA and holds an Individualized Master of Arts from Goddard College in Plainfield, VT. Now she is an art activist, thought leader, and community-builder, raising awareness about high-masking autism and invisible disability.The best way to connect with her is on Instagram:
Art: @theinstinctualwoman
Advocacy: @laylamessner

Close up of In the Flow, an abstract expressionist, acrylic painting by autistic artist Layla Messner. Photography by Kelly's Perspective. Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Recent Exhibitions

• Weaving Community: Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Three Sisters Gallery (2025)
• Our Home: The Natural World – Meta Space Gallery (2025)
• Imagine: Nature Through the Lens of the Microcosm – Three Sisters Gallery (2024)
• Momentum: RISE Emerging Artist exhibit – artsPlace Canmore (2023)

Paintings

An abstract gradient representing ocean waves, from the regulating gradient series by autistic artist Layla Messner. Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Gradients

Regulating Gradients
3K flat fee for up to 48” x 36x.

A green painting, an abstract representation of tree rings, acrylic on canvas by autistic artist Layla Messner. Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

INSTINCT

Primal Abstract Expressionism
Starting at $3500 for 36” x 36”.

A large scale abstract expressionist acrylic painting featuring wood grain motif in white, dark blue, and, tin, in front of a metal console.

Insāyri

Couple Energy Portraits
Commission only.
Starting at 10K.

Speaking

Autistic professional speaker Layla Messner presenting in front of a screen with a stylized image of a brain. Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Láyla Messner

Autistic speaker and advocate with late-diagnosed, high-masking Level II autism and medium support needs (MSN).

My background includes an individualized Master’s degree from Goddard College and doctoral-level studies in psychology. I apply a polyvagal-informed lens to some of today’s most pressing issues—including autism, poverty, and mental health.Known for raising awareness about high-masking autism and invisible disability, I blend academic insight with lived experience as an invisibly disabled AuDHD trauma survivor with severe migraine disorder.Through vulnerable storytelling, authenticity, and a unique way of looking at the world, I bring clarity to complex topics and inspire audiences to think differently.

Interested in having me speak at your event?

Poverty and Mental Health by Layla Messner

Speaking Topics

1. The Brain is Part of its Environment

Our nervous systems are connected to and shaped by our physical and social environments. Diverse social issues intersect in our brains, including mental health, trauma, neurodiversity, invisible disability, and poverty. Discover how these connections influence mental health and well-being for everyone, with a special focus on autistic individuals.

2. This is what Invisible Disability Looks Like

I may “look fine” but as a Level II (MSN) autistic person, I would be dead without financial support from my family. From stigma, to pressure to harm ourselves, to denial of supports, discrimination impacts the lives of people with non-apparent disabilities every day. Discover why health is an invisible form of privilege and how you can stand against ableism.

3. Unmasking the Myth of Autistic Fragility

Autistic meltdowns, shutdowns, and burnout aren’t signs of dysfunction—they’re human survival responses to overwhelming, inescapable distress. This talk debunks the “low threshold” narrative in autism and reframes these states through a trauma-aware, polyvagal-informed lens. Learn what compassionate, environment-centered support really requires.

Audience Testimonials

“Layla is an impactful speaker that gets an audience thinking differently. She has a unique way of sharing her real life experiences to challenge systems that are no longer working and inspires us to explore new perspectives and innovative solutions.”
– Makaylah Rogers, Mental Health Advocate & Keynote Speaker, Co-founder Frankie D’s Donuts

“Layla Messner is a powerful advocate for the intersection of topics including poverty, neurodiversity, and mental health. She speaks with honesty and is able to help others understand different perspectives that needs to be heard.”
– Mich Lam, Graphic Designer/Queer Advocate

Interested in having me speak at your event?

Book a call to connect.

Contact

I love working with people and organizations who are passionate about neurodiversity and disability pride.Let's collaborate!

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Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of respect, truth, and reciprocity, I acknowledge that I live and create on the traditional lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, within the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta, as well as the Métis Nation of Albeta, District 4. This land, known as ‘Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi’ (Stoney Nakoda for ‘shooting at the willows’), has been home to these Nations for countless generations. I commit to living in right relations with this land and its peoples.

A brunette in a red dress next to a mountain face. Photography by Kelly's Perspective.

Having grown up on this land, as well as in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, Shuswap, Little Shuswap Lake Band, Adams Lake Indian Band, and Neskonlith Indian Band, I feel a deep bond with this land and the Earth as a whole. I honor Pachamama, the Earth Mother from my own Indigenous heritage, as a symbol of this connection.I acknowledge my responsibility to honor and protect this land, including the air, water, earth, mountains, plants, wildlife, and human instinct, recognizing that these are all interconnected parts of the sacred Earth.