About Art from the Heart
It began with a simple, quiet feeling — a tug at my heart every time I crossed paths with someone who seemed unseen, unheard, or overlooked. Whether it was a stranger waiting for the train, a friend hiding behind a practiced smile, or even reflections of my own past struggles, I kept sensing a shared thread: isolation.
The world can feel impossibly big when you're struggling. And in those moments — lost in grief, anxiety, identity, or just the weight of being human — what we crave most is connection. Not solutions, not fixes. Just someone to say, “I see you. You’re not alone in this.” This became my purpose: to create spaces and build connections that bridge the gaps between people. To build community rooted in empathy, where no one has to face their pain in silence. I’m driven by a deep desire to reach those who feel marginalized, forgotten, or misunderstood — and offer them belonging, hope, and healing.
What started as a quiet urge has grown into a movement of connection and art gifting — one story, one conversation, one shared moment at a time.
Art has been described as a universal language often becoming more meaningful through the act of sharing. One encounter with artistic creations has the capacity to transcend barriers. The process of creating art or the simple act of appreciating creative expressions can facilitate growth within our hearts and our minds. Whether the purpose is to share beauty, enlighten with ideas, make a statement or to capture a moment, place or person; art bridges the artist with its viewers. Often described as an enriching process, self-discovery and the messages carried through art can be extraordinary.
This Art Is For You
If you — or someone you care about — are walking through mental health challenges, addiction, grief, loss, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life’s weight, know this: you are not alone. Each piece of art in this collection was created with you in mind — as a quiet offering of hope, healing, and connection.
If a piece speaks to you, we invite you to request it. Let us know your first and alternate choice, and, if you feel comfortable, share a bit of your story or what drew you to the piece. Your words matter — they help us connect in deeper ways. This is more than a gift. It’s a reminder: you are seen, you are valued, and you belong.
Leona
Leona’s journey with art began in childhood, where she first encountered its quiet magic in the halls of her school. She remembers feeling a deep, almost spiritual connection when viewing artwork — a sense that something meaningful lived in the colors, shapes, and stories held within the piece.
Drawn to the elegance of Art Nouveau, the softness of Impressionism, and the emotional depths of Abstract Expressionism, Leona’s appreciation for art evolved into a personal love story — one of healing, expression, and quiet resilience. In moments when words fell short, creating became her way of speaking truth.
For a long time, Leona tucked her creativity away — quite literally — painting in a closet, unsure if she could call herself an “artist” without formal training or natural-born talent. But over time, she discovered something more powerful: a flow state, a meditative, freeing rhythm that made space for honesty, presence, and joy.
Leona knows the ache of isolation, of feeling unseen or disconnected. That’s why she believes deeply in the power of safe, nurturing spaces — especially the kind we create around us. Through her art, she decorates not just walls, but lives, offering comfort and reflection.
Today, she finds joy in creating not just for others, but with others — celebrating the process, the play, and the connection that unfolds when we make something together. Art, for Leona, is both a mirror and a bridge — a reminder that even in silence, we are never truly alone.
Eric
Eric creates art as a way to connect — with the world around him, with Leona, and with his own inner self. For him, making art is a grounding, healing experience. It brings calm, clarity, and the quiet joy of seeing something beautiful emerge from uncertainty. He loves the magic of not knowing exactly how a piece will turn out, and the feeling of uplift when it finally reveals itself.
Art is also a way for Eric to express thoughts, ideas, and emotion, and to share them with both loved ones and complete strangers. He believes creativity is meant to be shared, not tucked away.
Eric works exclusively with palette knives and fluid acrylics. His fluid art demands patience and presence — a willingness to let go and allow the paint to move freely. Palette knives, on the other hand, offer him tactile satisfaction — their texture, weight, and rhythm giving shape to his expression in bold, intuitive strokes.
At his core, Eric wants art to be accessible — not something confined to pristine galleries or unreachable ideals. He believes everyone has a spark of creativity within them, and he loves encouraging others to explore and rediscover that part of themselves.
For Eric, art isn’t just something you make. It’s something you live, share, and offer — a gift, a release, a quiet act of connection.
Leona & Eric Collaborative Pieces
A Love Story Through Art
Their story began the way all great love stories do — with a spark of beauty and an unexpected connection. Leona had just shared an abstract painting on Instagram — swirls of red, blue, and turquoise, full of emotion and movement. Somewhere miles away, the piece caught Eric’s eye. He messaged her simply:
"What do you call this piece?"
Leona replied, "I usually don't name my pieces. What do you see?"
Eric answered, "A red dahlia."
Leona smiled and said, "Then that’s what I'll name it."
From that small exchange bloomed something extraordinary. Both felt an instant, indescribable pull — a cosmic connection. It wasn't long before Eric drove over 11 hours, through a snowstorm, just to meet Leona in person. From that moment on, their lives — and their art — became intertwined.
Creating together came as naturally as breathing. In the early days, they painted side by side, each immersed in their own work. Eventually, they began sharing canvases, painting in tandem, layering color and energy in beautiful, collaborative harmony.
Eric had a habit of repurposing old art and gifting it to others — not for praise, but because it made him feel good to give. Leona admired this deeply, and soon found herself offering pieces to friends as well. Gifting art became part of their shared language — a way to express love, empathy, and connection with the world around them.
Together and individually, Leona and Eric create from the heart, offering their art as a gentle reminder: love is real, creativity is healing, and sometimes, the universe really does conspire to bring two souls together — one brushstroke at a time.
Other Artist Contributions
Calling All Artists
If you would like to contribute a piece of your artwork to Art from the Heart, or if you’re interested in joining one of our art parties to create alongside us, we’d love to hear from you!
Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love to create from the soul, your work can become a powerful offering of hope and healing.
To donate art or learn more about upcoming events, please contact us at:
Let’s create something beautiful together!
The Act
"When we give from the heart, we create a ripple far beyond what we can see."
-Unknown
The Movement
"One act of kindness, one shared story, one offering of beauty can shift the weight of the world."
-Art from the Heart
"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit."
-E. E. Cummings