Close to your soul (plus: art in the shop, UncommonGoods, and more)

“I will always lean my heart as close to your soul as I can” (Hafez)

As the past two weeks unfolded, most of the experiences I had focused down to one simple point: connection keeps us going.

Then I came across this Hafez quote and it spoke so directly to the mission of my art business, to the person I try to be on a daily basis.

I will always lean my heart as close to your soul as I can. 

Chills! I love this so much.

I’ve had a number of conversations lately with friends about how much easier it can be to see the successes, joys, talents, and gifts in other people’s lives than to see the same in our own. Do you ever struggle to acknowledge how beautiful and wonderful you are?

Let’s take a moment now.

You are amazing.

You are needed.

You are enough.

Thank you for being you! 

Every day I work on acknowledging my own joy and gifts, but sometimes I feel unsure and tired and my self-love doesn’t cut it. On those days it’s the people in my life who bridge the gap and remind me how special I am.

Who makes you feel loved? and connected? and full of hope?

Reach out to those people today. Connection keeps us going.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Here’s a screenshot of a recent article I wrote about kindness for the website Enlightment is Sexy. Self-love and care are often the first lines of defense when we’re feeling down, and I share an exercise I use to replace my internal criticism with compassion.

You can read the article here. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Some of my most recent paintings are now available in the shop as art prints and note cards. I love these two designs so much for their messages of love and connection.

Always. Available unmatted and matted and as a note card (click on the links for details)

Wherever we go. Available unmatted and matted and as a note card (click on the links for details)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Exciting news! 3 of my art prints are now available through the online retailer UncommonGoods. I’ve been working with their team since the early summer to hammer out the details, and my work is now live on their website.

Check out their website – and more about my prints – here. 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Last but not least, I have pictures from my most recent event, the Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts festival.

The festival was so wonderful (though a bit stressful leading up to it, as we weren’t sure if a hurricane would hit – the day turned out a bit chilly, but dry). We met a lot of people, had more practice setting up the booth (and learned some good lessons along the way!), and my art made its way to so many new homes. With two festivals under my belt for this season, my next in-person event likely won’t be until Spring 2016. Stay tuned!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

The weather is beginning to turn cooler and the leaves in Philadelphia have started to turn (have I mentioned how much I LOVE Fall?). In the midst of my business growth over the past month (isn’t it the truth that everything happens at once?), I’ve been doing my best to make time for non-business life. 

There was LOTS of birthday celebrating this past weekend.

I also soaked up the little bit of time I had outside. Look at this beautiful shot that Eric took in my parents’ garden.

I’ve been reminded through it all that we’re all navigating our own journeys and that we all need kindness and love (even when that’s not apparent from the outside). If we keep showing up for the moments that really matter – the conversations and celebrations and milestones and tears – our connections can (and do!) help sustain us.

It bears repeating: who makes you feel loved?

Who lives close to your soul?

With love,