Friends,
We’re celebrating our one year anniversary of moving to Portugal! 🎊
One year in and it’s finally starting to click, just how huge this project of moving was.
On top of figuring out the logistics of moving countries, there is the super uncomfy, liberating, and long emotional work of figuring out who you want to be in a new place where you don’t know anyone and no one knows you.
Fish and human friends
Last summer, I convinced myself that I could process all of these emotions alone. Since I was a kid, I’d work through sadness by talking to non-human beings like trees and birds or create safe worlds through drawing. 🖌️
Dipping into that comfort again, I cut leftover cardboard from an unpacked box and “made” my first friend in Portugal: a smiling fish.
Yeah, I cried a lot making this fish…
Looking back to that bumpy start, I embrace that cute fish and that version of me from a year ago. And it’s not just me who is embracing them. It’s me with my growing community of friends holding hands and dancing around them!
🐟🐟🐟
My first art show in Lisboa
Speaking of community, I will be releasing a limited edition Riso print this week with IT’SFFFRESH, a popup gallery at Black Sheep, a local Portuguese wine bar. Here’s the invitation I created for the event:
As I was painting this invitation and sending it to friends, I realized just how special it was, to have new friends I could reach out to and say, “Hey, I’m having a thing. I’d love to see you there.” It sounds so simple, but that soft, sweet kind of love exchange is something I really enjoy sharing with folks.
P.S. I will be sure to share the poster with you once it’s available on the gallery’s online shop in a few days! Perhaps it’s just what you need for your home or a little gift for a buddy to brighten their day.
P.P.S. I have a super sweet offering I’m working on now and can’t wait to share it with you in T minus 2 months!
Stay tuned. 🗞️
Soul spark ✨
What’s been inspiring me lately
This soundtrack, as I hang my laundry in the sun.
Stay cute and support all the amazing university students who are protesting around the world! ✊
Haruka
Dear Haruka,
Congratulations on a decision well-made! It was really wonderful to see you in LIsbon almost a year ago and I am really glad that I had a small part ( a few hours) of your first year in Portugal. For me, it was a memorable visit ( and lunch!) and so good to see you in total "thrive mode". Now that you have moved to a sunier location, it seems that each day you are living out your dream of the artist-in-progress with total immersion for your passion. Brava and much love!