Art Diaries: The Story Behind "Intertwined"

Hello, art Babes <3

I hope you are being kind to yourselves this week.I'm so excited to finally share the complete story behind my most personal art print to date—"Intertwined." I've had this work of art in my heart for months and showing it to the world feels pretty scary but also incredibly liberating. Have you ever created something that made you feel like you were showing a piece of your soul to others? For me it feels pretty much like this right now! ♥︎

Creating "Intertwined"

When I first sat down to create this piece, I honestly didn't have a plan or a concrete vision. Sometimes the most beautiful art comes from just letting your feelings guide you, you know? I remember sitting at my desk one foggy afternoon, feeling overwhelming emotions about my relationship dynamics, and just letting my pen glide across the paper without judgment.

First, the central figure emerged—a dreamlike, surreal figure that captured my feelings exactly. As I continued working, two more shapes began to form around it, and I realized that my subconscious was processing my experiences through these intertwined figures. It felt magical. They just appeared without me being entirely sure why.

Does your art ever surprise you like that? When you start creating without expectations and suddenly realize you're making something much deeper than you initially planned? Those moments are what keep me creating, and it's so much fun.

Personal Journey in Ethical Non-Monogamy

I've been hesitant to share this part of my story, but it feels important to the context of this artwork. For those who don't know, I've been navigating an ethically non-monogamous relationship after we opened up our 8-year partnership. When my girlfriend first connected with another partner, I discovered there are sooo many more nuances to jealousy than I ever realized.

What surprised me most was finding that I didn't experience the possessive "she's mine" feelings that jealousy is often portrayed as. Instead, I felt something much more complex - I admire her deeply, and what I felt was a new kind of fear I hadn't experienced before: fear of loss and fear that I wouldn't continue to grow and develop as a person.

The three figures in "Intertwined" represent this dynamic - how we can be connected to others in ways that bring both challenge and joy, but always growth. The flowing, melting quality of how the figures blend into one another represents how our emotions and energies are constantly shifting and merging.

During this time, I realized I had very few close friends of my own, which was something I needed to work on. Now I'm sooo happy to have my own meaningful connections and so much love from friends! I've learned that I'm allowed to have feelings for others if it happens that I might fall in love, without the fear of losing my girlfriend or having to hide those feelings forever. ♥︎

My girlfriend and I attended couples therapy together, which helped us tremendously. We share so much more now than before - we talk openly about our crushes and comfort each other through heartbreaks. I don't want to praise non-monogamy or monogamy - I truly believe there's no right or wrong relationship style as long as everyone treats each other with kindness, support and love.

What I've learned through this journey is that my biggest fear stemmed from struggles with self-worth, and now that I understand that, I'm not so fearful anymore. I've even discovered that I deeply love my friends and treat them with the same care as I would my partner, just on a platonic level.

Have you ever found yourself growing through something that initially brought anxiety but led to beautiful self-discovery? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments <3

The Artistic Process Behind the Print

Let me walk you through how this piece actually came together:

I started with loose sketches in my journal, just emotional scribbles really. When the concept began to take more shape, I moved to my iPad and used Procreate to refine the composition. I knew I wanted the piece to have this dreamy, fluid quality that mimicked the way emotions flow between people.

The color palette came to me unconsciously as I worked. I found myself drawn to browns and low saturated greens, with touches of pink and red to guide the viewer to the characters' personal connections, even if they're indirect. These colors just felt right - they just spoke to the feeling I was trying to capture.

In the final piece, the three figures are connected in some way - they're merged together at certain points but still remain separate entities. This tension between connection and individuality was sooo important to the meaning of the piece.

I actually scrapped the whole thing twice before arriving at the final version! That's something I don't often share - how many "failed" attempts happen before the final piece emerges. But I think it's important to normalize the messy parts of the creative process. Nothing worthwhile comes easily, right? still I'm a fan of the 80/20 rule.

The Deeper Themes of Connection

Beyond my personal relationship experience, "Intertwined" explores something I think about constantly - the invisible threads that connect us all to each other.

Have you ever locked eyes with a stranger on the subway and felt this moment of strong connection? Or noticed someone's unique style and felt this rush of appreciation for their self-expression? I've made it a habit now to actually compliment those people and tell them how gorgeous they are, which feels soooo good! Maybe you've been comforted by the presence of someone you don't even know during a difficult moment. Maybe in everyday situations, someone was so excited about your appearance but never communicated it.

These fleeting connections fascinate me. We're all constantly affecting each other in ways we might never fully understand. The melancholic quality of "Intertwined" speaks to the beauty and sadness of these momentary connections - how we can be so profoundly touched by others yet remain separate in our experiences.

I wanted the composition to reflect this duality - the figures are clearly distinct yet impossible to fully separate from one another.

Finding Meaning in Vulnerability

Creating "Intertwined" taught me so much about the value of vulnerability in art. For the longest time, I was afraid to put my most personal experiences into my work. What if people judged me? What if they misunderstood what I was trying to say?

But I've realized that the art that moves people is the kind that comes from an authentic, vulnerable place. When I share my truth through my work, it creates space for others to connect with their own truths. And that's the sweet thing i'm searching for through art.

This piece specifically helped me process my feelings of jealousy and insecurity in a way that talking about them never quite could. There's something about externalizing emotions through visual representation that helps me understand them better. Art for me has always been the best tool to work on myself and understand my feelings better, in addition to therapy. Do you find creative expression helps you process your emotions too?

How "Intertwined" Has Resonated

Since soft-launching the print, I've been completely overwhelmed by the responses. So many have reached out to share their own stories and feelings of connection and disconnection, and how the imagery spoke to something deep within them.

Some shared that it made them think more about their connections - with friends, pets, and how they're supported through love. Some saw their favorite hobbies and activities reflected in the figures, showing how these passions help them through difficult situations.

This is exactly why I create - to form these bridges of understanding between my experience and yours. When art can make us feel seen and less alone in our complicated emotions, that's when I know I've created something worthwhile. ♥︎

Looking Forward: My Creative Evolution

"Intertwined" marks an important evolution in both my artistic style and my willingness to share my personal experiences through my work. I'm so excited to see where this new approach takes me as I continue to explore these topics of connection, vulnerability, and the complexity of relationships.

With all of you wonderful people who support my work and find meaning in what I make, I'm so excited to continue this journey. Your messages and comments inspire me in ways I can't even express.

The "Intertwined" Art Print

If this artwork speaks to you, I've made it available as a high-quality art print that would make a beautiful addition to your home. Each print is produced using quality inks on Hemp Paper, so that the subtle color transitions and the fine linework are perfectly captured, and friendly to our Planet.

Closing Thoughts & Invitation

Thank you for allowing me to share this personal work. Art has always been how I make sense of my world, and sharing this process with all of you makes the journey so much more rewarding.

I'd love to hear what has resonated with you about "Intertwined" - or if you have experiences with connection, relationship dynamics, or emotional growth that you'd like to share. The comments section is a safe space for all of us to connect, and I read every single one.

Until next time, remember to be gentle with yourself. And notice the beautiful moments of connection all around you <3

Love,

Sookie