Finding HOME within Myself
Drawing the Home Frequency and Making Home a Little More ‘Portable’
I remember a balmy day in Santa Monica when I was sitting at a bus stop drawing in a small sketchbook. A gentle-looking man came and sat beside me and said, “It helps, doesn’t it?” He had so much compassion within him that tears welled up in my eyes. We had a short conversation and agreed that drawing is a kind of life preserver—it helps keep us afloat when the seas get choppy.
In that simple exchange, there was so much truth. Art making can be many things for me, but the act of drawing has helped me navigate some of the most difficult situations in my life. It connects me to the unseen and greater clarity naturally follows.
…rewinding a bit to the summer months—in early June I found myself at a rather disorienting crossroads. I was navigating the second relationship breakup in 13 months, and I felt very far from my familiar Vancouver community having moved to the Okanagan last December. I again turned to drawing to help myself find equilibrium.
I decided to pair up two of my favourite activities: travel and drawing. I took myself on drawing dates to various new-to-me places in the Okanagan. My first drawing date was at Linden Gardens, and the resulting image was so lively!
The shapes reminded me of vocal frequencies—it was as if water spirits from this little lake were excited that someone was finally listening to their chorus. I left Linden Garden feeling like I had made contact with a sort of home that I didn’t even know existed.
This uplifting experience led me to continue the drawing dates. Next I visited Kaledan Hotel Park and while I was drawing, I saw a robin doing something curious.
The robin would hop along and then lower its head toward the ground, as if it could hear something happening underground. I later learned that when robins turn their heads, they’re actually using their strong eyesight to look for bugs and worms. After a moment of watching, it would quickly pluck a bug or worm out of the ground! My robin friend repeated this behaviour over and over again. It was like that robin was reminding me to have patience, watch, and all would be provided.
Over the next several days, I visited an old cemetery and sections of the KVR trail. I tried out different cafés that were just opening for the summer season, and in the evening I continued drawing on my couch.
I went back to Kaledan a second time because I liked how the thick green vines had claimed the shell of the old stone building there. This time, I could feel my inner strength returning and a new drawing arrived.
It felt like hopefulness and balance with a dose of love and compassion thrown in for good measure. It too was a frequency of sorts—it felt like my inner home cradling my heart.
I made about a dozen drawings in this series, some exploring grief and anger, but mostly, each drawing reflected how the energy of the places I visited was making tiny shifts within myself.
I kept returning to these drawings as a source of comfort and connection. In sharing the work with other people, many folks recognized the forms as frequencies, and someone eventually suggested that I put my favourite drawing onto a t-shirt as a kind of beacon of solidarity with other folks who are also seeking truth and home within themselves. Sometimes it’s nice to have a portable, physical reminder that you are creating home for your own self. Thus, I introduce the Home Frequency t-shirt, now available in my online shop.
I tested out different t-shirt companies, and found an excellent balance between quality and price point. I’m currently offering the t-shirts in a slightly more fitted women’s style as well as a classic unisex cut. The t-shirts are 100% cotton and the printing is super soft to the touch. As an added bonus, each shirt is made on demand so there is no overstock or waste.
If you’re looking for a unique Holiday gift, please keep in mind the following shipping cutoffs:
If the shirt is shipping to an address within Canada, please order before Dec 12th
If the shirt is shipping to an address within the US, please order before Dec 10th
*Please note, this item is not available for local pickup as the t-shirts are produced on demand outside of my studio.
Holiday Giclée Print Sale
While visiting my online shop, you’ll notice that I’m now offering a more fulsome array of giclée prints, including some adorable mini prints for gifting!
For the next two weeks, I am offering 10% off all of my giclée prints. The discount will automatically be applied in your cart between Nov 17th and Dec 1st, 2024.
You might be wondering what makes giclée prints different from other kinds of prints. Giclée prints are made with archival ink and printed onto beautifully textured 100% cotton paper which is naturally acid free. It is the acid in tree pulp that makes regular paper yellow and break down over time. The combination of archival ink with acid free paper allows the prints to last for about a century! These prints are extremely high quality at an excellent price.
Giclée Print Shipping Cutoffs:
If shipping within Canada, please order before Dec 15
If shipping to the US, please order before Dec 10
Local pick up is possible for folks living in (or passing through!) the Okanagan until Friday, Dec 20th. Message me here to arrange purchase and local pickup.
*Please note, Canada Post began a national strike as of Nov 15th. I will be using alternative carriers to deliver your orders. If you have concerns about your order reaching you in time, please message me here and and we’ll get it sorted!
Thank you friends. Keep looking for beauty. Keep fueling yourself with joy. And thank you for supporting local, living artists!
Take good care 🧡
-K