There are plenty of reasons to make art: to process emotions, to explore beauty, to tell a story, to make sense of the world. But lately, I keep coming back to one guiding force that feels more important than ever: wonder.

Not perfection. Not productivity. Not even purpose. Just wonder.
That wide-eyed sense of "what if?" That spark that tugs at your sleeves and says, "Look at this! Try that!"

For me, wonder is a compass. It's how I decide what project to start, what marks to make, which mess to lean into. It’s what gets me to pick up the brush—or to sit with a scribble or a stain—and say, "Let’s see what’s here."

One of my favorite ways to play with wonder is through something called pareidolia—that delightful moment when your brain sees a face in the clouds or a creature in the coffee rings on your desk. I’ve come to love making a quick, random scribble on paper and then pausing to ask, what do I see hiding here?

Sometimes it’s silly. Sometimes it’s surprising. But it’s always an invitation into a playground of curiosity.

I'll share an example below. On the left: a simple, spontaneous scribble. On the right: a little something I saw when I stepped back and let my imagination wander.

You don’t have to know exactly where you’re going. You just have to follow what’s tugging at your heart. That’s what wonder does. It leads you—not with a map, but with a magnet.
Some days, it takes the form of a flower petal curling just so. Other days, it’s a child’s laugh or a smudge of color on your fingertip. And sometimes, it’s a strange little creature peeking out of a blueberry stain.

I’m learning to trust that pull. Even if it doesn’t seem practical or polished or productive. Because every time I follow wonder, I end up somewhere real. Somewhere that feels like home. For example, these two little scribbles I made really quickly without thinking—just letting the pen dance. Then I stepped back, took a breath, and noticed a character starting to appear - a girl looking back over her shoulder. Maybe she's imaging bugs flying around her - those spots where my pen just lightly landed randomly! Pareidolia is like that—letting your imagination lead, and trusting that wonder will meet you in the mess.

So this is just a gentle nudge—from me to you: let yourself follow wonder a few moments today.
Just make a quick scribble on a scrap of paper, step back, and see what you notice. No art skills required—just your imagination and a sprinkle of curiosity. 

Even if it’s just for five minutes.
Even if it leads you somewhere beautifully odd.
Even if it doesn’t make sense yet.
Wonder knows the way....to put a smile in your heart.



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There’s a quiet, soulful practice I return to often, especially when life feels unpredictable, messy or chaotic. It’s something playful, a little odd, and deeply meaningful to me. It’s called pareidolia—the phenomenon of seeing familiar images in random patterns. Think clouds that look like elephants or coffee stains that suddenly resemble faces.

But for me, it’s become more than a curious visual game. It’s a way to listen to my soul.
I like to think of pareidolia art as a gentle invitation. When the world feels noisy, and my mind is whirring too fast to catch its breath, I sit down with something simple: a teabag stain, a coffee drip, a squished blueberry, or even a bit of ink spilled on a scrap of paper. Something messy. Something imperfect. Something real.

I slow down. I look. I breathe.

And then, gradually, I begin to see.

Maybe a dancing slug (as in this one). A shy fox. A floating angel. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense. What matters is what it stirs up inside me—a memory, a question, a whisper of hope. This practice has become a kind of symbolic ritual for me, a way to honor the truth that life rarely goes as planned. There are twists, spills, tangles, and tears. But there are also hidden treasures, if we pause long enough to notice them.

That’s the heart of why I make pareidolia art.

It isn’t about perfect technique or polished outcomes. It’s about making space for inner reflection. It’s about welcoming surprise. It’s about looking at the messes—both on the paper and in life—and saying, “What message might be hiding here for me?”

This is just one of what I hope will be many little explorations of pareidolia in my creative life. Some of these pieces will come from teabags. Others from coffee rings or berry splatters. But all of them will be rooted in this tender practice of finding meaning in the midst of the mess.
And I hope, in some way, they invite you to do the same.

What do you see?

​Well, something unexpected (and lovely) happened recently.
I had my series of whimsical animal prints up in an exhibition at Duke Hospital, and someone asked me,

It’s been a little while since I offered pet portraits, but the timing felt right. I’ve painted all kinds of furry friends over the years—cats in crowns, dogs with halos, pets with personality bursting from every brushstroke. And now, I’m officially bringing them back!

💛 Not ready for a commission?If a custom portrait isn’t quite the right fit right now, you can still bring a little joy home with one of my whimsical animal prints—available as wall art, pillows, mugs, and more.

​Each Painting Is A Gift of Nature’s Message – And A Chance to Bring Some Joy into Your Life (Or Someone Else’s!)

I've always been drawn to working in series. There’s something about having a creative path that continuously evolves that really excites me. It gives me a clear direction, yet still allows space for new ideas to blossom (pun intended!). A few months ago, I found myself pondering my next big focus. What did I want to dive into? What would feel meaningful and connect with people in a way that felt authentic?

That’s when the symbolism of floriography (flower language) really caught my eye. I had never looked at flowers in this way before. There was this quieter time, back in the day, when giving someone a particular bouquet of flowers had a deep meaning, a secret message. Sort of like how we send texts today, but much more poetic and beautiful! I love the idea that something so natural could carry such weight in its symbolism. And honestly, it just felt right to me.

Then, with 2025 being such a transformative year in my life, I decided it was time to create a series of paintings based on the birth flowers for each month. I want to share messages of love, hope, and beauty with the world—because, let’s face it, we could all use more of those things right now, right?

Flowers, to me, are nature’s little reminders to slow down and appreciate the present moment. They’re these tiny tokens of joy that pop up around us every day, often unnoticed. But when you stop and really take in their beauty, they’re incredibly powerful. So, this project is my way of not only creating something visually beautiful but also sharing a deeper connection to nature’s messages.

What’s even more exciting is that each of these paintings will be available for sale. Whether you're looking for a unique piece of art for your own space or a thoughtful gift for someone special, these birth flower paintings would make a perfect, meaningful gift. Every flower holds its own story, and I hope these pieces can help spread a little light and love wherever they go.
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I'm so excited for you to see them! Stay tuned for the series to unfold, and in the meantime, you can watch them blossom on Instagram at art_of_eleatta. I hope you’ll enjoy the magic of these flowers just as much as I have while creating them. Thanks for following along with me on this journey.


​#BirthFlowerArt #Floriography #FlowerArt #MeaningfulArt #NatureInspiration #ArtForGifts #SymbolicFlowers #LoveAndHope #ArtCollectors #GiftIdeas #FloralPaintings #FloralSymbols #CreativeJourney

I’ve been keeping a journal for years now, and I can honestly say it’s been one of the best tools for getting to know myself better. At first, I thought it was just about recording my day-to-day life, but over time, I realized it was more of a conversation with my own soul. When you sit down and start writing, something magical happens — the clutter in your mind starts to clear. Suddenly, the feelings that were all over the place start to make sense, and you get a little distance from them.

Unraveling my emotions on pages has helped me uncover things I didn’t even realize — like the way past experiences shape my reactions today or why certain situations trigger me in ways I didn’t understand before.

 I remember writing about a time I was feeling really frustrated, and as I let the words flow, I discovered that it wasn’t about the situation at all. It was more about feeling unheard and unappreciated in a larger sense, something I hadn’t been able to articulate until I saw it written out in front of me.

Journaling has a way of noodling out those deeper motivations to the surface, things that lie beneath the surface day-to-day thoughts. It’s like peeling back layers you didn’t even know were there. And when I look back at what I’ve written, I can see how much I’ve grown — it’s like holding a mirror up to your heart and realizing, “Oh, that’s why I acted that way!”
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It’s not just about understanding your feelings, either. Journaling has been a powerful way for me to reconnect with my hopes and dreams, even the ones I had buried long ago. Writing about what I want, what excites me, or even what scares me has helped me figure out what really matters to me, not just what society or others think I should want.

It’s so easy to get distracted by the noise around us, but journaling helps me come back to what truly lights me up. And, honestly, it’s given me the courage to follow some of those dreams, step by step, without the fear of judgment or failure hanging over me. I can’t recommend it enough — it’s like having a wise, loving friend in your own words.
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13 Ways to Help Your Emotions Age Gracefully

But there's hope! Psychologists suggest ways to keep our emotions rejuvenated and subtle.

Scroll to bottom for 13 Ways to Help Your Emotions Age Gracefully

Advice from a wife who's still in love after 40 years!
25+ Tips to help foster marriage harmony

Art by Eleatta
​Prints available HERE

​ Relationships require a commitment to continued tending. Beware of entropy. Never underestimate the power of doing things like being generous, showing appreciation, and saying thank you.

Artful reminder bellow to 'Love Always"
​Prints and frames available HERE:

 Life throws unexpected curve balls. Know the importance of flexibility and adaptability, remembering you and your spouse are a team. ​

Prints of 'Love Always' are available as :
Posters, prints, throw pillows, totes, shower curtains

 You and your spouse aren’t going to parent the same - you’re two different individuals. Expect differences and know that it is far better to accept them than to fight and hurt the relationship. There is so much we could simply let slide off our backs. Keep the big picture in mind. ​

 Let’s be honest. Sometimes in marriage “familiarity breeds contempt.” When you’ve been with someone a while it’s easy to focus on the things that bother you. But harboring feelings of resentment or animosity only sabotages your relationship. Make a conscious decision to notice all the things you love about your spouse instead of honing in on what frustrates you. Increase appreciation. Lower expectations. ​

 Here's even more great marriage tips!

45 Longtime Couples Share the Marriage Tip That's Kept Them Together
​There are good reasons these couples have made it so long together! And speaking personally, I can attest to the power of these principles. Know that your union can grow, thrive and enrich over time as well. 

9 Ways Empathy Improves Our Connections

Art by ELEATTA
Prints available HERE.

 Empathy is a super power. It's definition explains why:

Here's a great little video from The School of Life about empathy and its magical relational powers.
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Empathy is our bridge for greater connection.
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When you listen with empathy you get to tune in to another's emotional frequency.  You can get in touch with their needs and make them feel heard.

Empathic listening flings open a window to the other person's inner world. It creates a safe space where they feel they can share anything without having to worry about criticism.  
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When empathy is the bridge that brings two people together, words become less important. It proves that what matters most is the connection between them.

​Being an empathetic listener does NOT mean you have to agree with everything that's said. It only requires an effort to understand the other person's perspective. It just involves an attitude of respect.

Art by Eleatta
​Prints available HERE

 I'm certainly no Barbara Walters when it comes to fearless conversations, but I've come a long way! And developing my 'empathy muscle' has made my  progress enjoyable and rewarding. 

  Of these 9 ways to create more empathetic conversations, the ones I'm still working on are #8 and #9. It's sooo tempting to blurt out opinions and advice! And holding a space for stillness is tricky too. But, I'm determined to keep practicing. Practice makes...better conversations!   

 How about you? It it easy to hold your tongue? Are you comfortable with the pregnant, silent pauses? 

Less Clutter Means More Joy

Art by Eleatta.
Prints available HERE.

​ 
​My sweet mother-in-law just turned 90. She's been like a mother to me after losing my own mom to cancer. 'Nanny's' life has demonstrated so many admirable qualities I want to emulate. But I confess there’s one quality I’ll avoid modeling. She’s a bit of a pack rat. Having gone through her life habitually saving endless mementos and squirreling away countless ‘but-it-was-on-sale’ finds, every drawer, closet, shelf and storage bin is at capacity load. Downsizing for a small condo is now a monumental chore.

If you're considering counseling, there's great guidance in finding one HERE.

If you're interested in Jordan Peterson's 'Self Authoring' Course, you can find out more info HERE.

How are your emotional drawers and closets? If you find they're at maximum capacity, know you're not alone! 

​I hope these tips help inspire you on your own journey to clear out the cumbersome clutter make room for lots more joy.

Art by Eleatta
Prints available HERE.

So, how about it? Do you want to feel more joy? Join me in the adventure! Commit to doing one thing that brings you pleasure a day.  Let's see where it leads....​