Author’s Note

About Heart Studio.

I supported myself as a professional artist, designer, and art teacher for many years.  As I shifted into the retirement season, my desire to create art was often overshadowed by my internal pressure to “make it right… good enough to sell.”  My heart yearned to abandon my focus on performing well and move toward joining my heart with the divine Artist.  I mentioned to my spiritual director that I felt a great sense of freedom and joy when I stepped into my art studio. He reminded me that crossing this threshold was a symbolic and physical movement toward God.  The image of entering a “heart” space when being creative has changed me deeply.  Stepping into my “heart studio” is now an outward and visible sign to cultivate the receptive stance of trusting God in every situation.  Instead of grasping and controlling, I am learning to release and receive.

—Wendy Bryant