Collage artist Stephanie Pierson is near and dear to my heart, and after listening to this episode, she will surely be to you as well. She has an interesting life story that led to her discovering a completely new side of herself later in life. Her story is one of love, loss, survival, healing, and blossoming. For most of her life, she experienced a stable and loving home life, raising two sons with her beloved husband,  Greg, who she met in her twenties.  As they neared retirement, she lost Greg suddenly and unexpectedly. From that point on, her life was never the same: she endured three types of cancer, and more unexpected heartbreak. Creating art was how she survived, and rediscovered herself. And it was thanks to a special person who lit a fire and a love within her,  that she was able to keep going. Tommy, an artist himself, was the special person in Stephanie's life who encouraged her to find that expressive part of herself.  And even though he is no longer with us, their connection will always remain, and she continues her art to honor him and the love they shared.

As her life was turned upside down, she began making collages, mostly of women, forging a new path, and getting to know this new woman she was becoming. As she transformed, so her art unveiled itself. She underwent surgeries, and magazines were torn up and reworked into intuitive female companions. Her work is an "exploration of the larger mystery of the female form." Each one of her paper dolls as she calls them, is a part of who she is, a shuffling around of her subconscious.

She is a strong and inspiring woman, and her story is one worth listening to if you need some motivation to keep going. At her lowest points, she didn't believe life had anything more to offer, and she is here to tell you it does, and that you are always more than you think you are.

She makes the point that we are all collages when we reflect on our lives. We have all had people who have been cut out of our lives, paths taken and redirected, paths cut too short. But in the end, we do our best to make that life beautiful. It's hard, it's a process, but it's worth it.

Stephanie credits her family and friends for helping her get through her hardest moments. She has faith that Greg, “would be thrilled” to see her art and witness this chapter in her life. When I think of Stephanie, I think of someone who knows how to build community, and Greg was absolutely half of that picture. As he said , “'Nothing in this life matters more than love and community and knowing we are not alone."

Connect with Stephanie Pierson

Website  ➡️   https://www.stephaniepiersonart.com/
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Gentle Finds was founded on the idea that each one of us plays a part in creating the world we live in through the choices we make. In our relationships, the work we do, and the products we buy, our everyday movements leave a mark, for better or worse, and Gentle Finds is here to help you leave a gentler mark. Every two weeks I find a gentle inspiration to share with you, with practical tips about how we can be nicer to ourselves, each other, our bodies, and our environment. Subscribe, follow, and start your gentle journey today!

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