QUOTE THAT INSPIRED THIS PAINTING:

“Don’t trade authenticity for approval.”
— Brené Brown

MY POEM FOR THIS PAINTING:

She stopped performing the version
they applauded.

She chose quiet mornings,
ripe pears,
flowers that turned their faces to the sun —
just like her.

She no longer needed to impress.
She only needed to belong
to herself.

And in that belonging,
in that soft return,
her life began to bloom —
bright, golden,
and forward-facing.

Finally,
it felt like hers.

PEARS & HANDWRITTEN LETTER:
The pears represent the quiet beauty of her new life — unrushed, ripe, nourishing, and sweet.
The handwritten letter is a symbol of self-recognition: the moment she began writing her life as she truly wanted it to be.

HIDDEN KEY: Symbol (and reminder!) of your huge potential, your inner strength, your destiny

SUBSTACK - instalment of Evangeline’s story this painting relates to