This painting was made in 2018 in Asheville, NC with locally foraged black walnut ink. It is also hand embroidered on cotton fabric.

Dimensions: framed. 55” x 55”

This painting is a portrait of my friend Kris who inspires me so much with her beauty and wisdom and softness. She is an incredible portrait artist herself and paints with free expression and creativity.

The title for this painting came from a simple phrase that came to me one day several years ago when I began to embark on the journey towards becoming an artist for a living. The phrase was just this, “It’s about being who we are, not who we think people want us to be.” It was so clear in my mind, that I wrote it down on a little slip of paper and pinned it to my wall. I kept it up there for years. Sometimes, I’ll admit that this is hard for me and I get caught up in trying to be what I think people want me to be. But, of course, I can never really be anything other than myself. Giving up on trying to be anything else and surrendering to this is a beautiful reality. It is, in fact, Heaven. And I don’t mean that metaphorically. I’m so grateful for the self I’ve been given and for the truth within me that allows me to know it and feel it. May you tune into your true self today as well and surrender to the joy that is you. Much love, Suzanne.