Healing from loss has required tapping into resources I never knew I had. I often found inspiration in unexpected places. Clinging to the idea of hope in the essential goodness of life and the positive flow of healing was not easy, but I found even my darkest moments held promise if I remained open to possibility. This uplifting poem by Emily Dickinson expresses the universal quality of hope. Hope Is the Thing With FeathersHope is the thing with feathers –That…
Where I live, it’s cold, windy, and grey. The days are short, and I prioritize seeking light and warmth.Bare tree branches, delicately etched against the winter sky, present a stark beauty that mirrors the experience of grief. When the forest branches are bare, they reveal vistas that often go unnoticed when covered in foliage. Similarly, allowing ourselves to be open to grief can bring to light previously unseen aspects of ourselves as we heal. Recognizing my growth, despite the loss…
I composed my artist’s prayer several years ago while struggling to balance my career with my passion for art. This has always been a challenge for me. Looking back, it reminds me of my struggle to balance life with grief. I seek light, insight, and peace while accompanied by the sorrow of missing my husband and partner. I studied the body’s chakra system or energy centers when I created this piece. The seven colors of the rainbow represent the main…
As we approach a new year, I look back on the past and forward to the promise of the future. I reflect on the life I once enjoyed with my husband, which is so different from the life I am now creating for myself. Yet, each has its unique challenges, joys, and direction. I found myself sorting through a collection of greeting cards I’d designed many years ago. This one, created circa 1988, spoke to me this year. I had…
As the holiday season begins, I am reminded of the importance of focusing on gratitude and the positivity that being thankful brings. Although this season sometimes reminds me of the things I no longer have, focusing on hope, optimism, and gratitude is an emotional antidote to the sadness of longing for the past. I created this piece years ago after my husband’s diagnosis. We found ourselves in a lush field of sunflowers under a blue summer sky. I felt fragile…
I designed this larger canvas some years ago after my husband’s cancer diagnosis. I drew inspiration from my original piece, “Believe,” which I had created at least 30 years earlier. If I were to assign a logo representing my life philosophy, the original “Believe” would be it. I published a post about the original piece in June 2024. It makes sense that I would turn to it for inspiration during such a difficult time. Finding a way to believe in hope, possibility, and…
The background of this canvas, painted in blotchy shades of blue, tells how I felt as I cut and stitched a heart from a grey felt. It was a day when I had to dig deep to believe in hope and possibility. My collection of colorful gems and crystals glittering from their storage jars on a shelf in my studio inspired me. This piece represented looking beyond the bleakness I felt to the treasure trove of inner peace and inspiration…
We often need to draw on our inner strength and resilience to face whatever life brings our way. I have discovered that creating art and leading a meaningful life after a loss requires me to “show up,” whether confronting a blank canvas or any other challenge. It involves being receptive to the whisperings of my heart and remaining open to inspiration, even when it seems elusive. Sometimes, it consists of sifting through uncomfortable feelings to find a tiny sparkle of…
I’ve always wanted to listen to my heart, but it wasn’t until I began to heal from the most traumatic loss of my life that I truly started to hear what my heart was telling me. Now, I’m following a path guided by its messages. Although the path is not clearly defined, an essential part of being the queen of my heart involves taking the time and giving myself the space needed to figure things out. This means practicing self-compassion…
This miniature canvas emerged from my quest for my unique true north. During this journey, I discovered I can honor and care for myself without needing permission or relying on anyone else. Initially, I viewed self-care as well, just plain selfish, but I began to realize it was essential for healing from loss. Instead of associating self-care with being self-absorbed, I eventually understood that I could better connect with and reach out to others by taking care of my own…
“True north is guidance, your orienting point, your fixed point in a spinning world that helps you stay on track. It’s your internal compass unique to you and only you, representing who you are at your deepest level. True north is a sense of being at home within yourself. What feels good to you at your core is your true north. When you find your true north, you discover your authentic self. It’s a combination of your purpose and your beliefs. You…