Art isn’t just something I do; it’s something I live, I breathe, and I need. For me, drawing and painting aren’t about the outcome but the process itself—the quiet magic of putting color on paper, one stroke at a time.
Here’s why I create, and maybe, by the end of this post, you’ll find your own reason to pause and let beauty speak to you.
Healing Through Creation
I don’t remember the exact moment I discovered that art was my therapy. Maybe it’s because I grew up with parents who knew how to channel their struggles into something positive. My dad ran—marathons, relay races, weeks-long challenges—transforming stress into miles. My mom would dive headfirst into bursts of creativity: sewing, crafting, painting, dancing you name it.
Somewhere along the way, I picked up my pencil and found my own outlet. Art became my healthy coping mechanism, my sanctuary when life felt overwhelming. It became my way of healing with art.
I still remember my first job after returning from China. I was in a new city, new job, with new responsibilities. It was lonely, stressful, and, frankly, I felt pretty miserable. Every evening, I’d come home, pick up my pastels and draw until my hand and my eyes hurt. The pressure of my day poured out onto the paper—the pain, the anger, and the frustration externalized, captured, and, eventually, neutralized.
Now, when I look at the pieces I created during those hard times, I don’t feel the sting anymore. Instead, I see growth, resilience, and a reminder that art helped me transcend what could have otherwise consumed me.
Philippe Solers. Bordeaux 2009 (Soft pastels)
One of the drawings that helped me go through...
The Universal Language of Art
I’ve always been a thinker—and not the linear kind. My brain feels like the Fourth of July: one idea explodes into a hundred more, all firing off at once. Organizing my thoughts into words? It’s exhausting. Trying to explain myself? Don’t even get me started. The blank stares, the "Wait, what? You lost me" reactions—they’re enough to make anyone give up.
But drawing? Drawing speaks for me when words fall short. It’s my first language, the one everyone can understand without translation. It’s my way of saying, This is how I feel. This is what I’m trying to say. There’s no “What? Huh?” when you’re looking at a piece of art—it’s there, tangible, and universal.
When I draw, the chaotic fireworks in my brain settle into something quieter. Art forces me to focus, to step into the moment, and to create clarity out of the mess. It’s mindfulness disguised as making something pretty—a meditation where the only thing that matters is the color in front of me and where it’ll go next.
Detail of an unfinished one. Soft pastels. 2009.
This one ended up in the trash...
Turning Struggles Into Connection
Art connects us because it doesn’t need words. It’s raw and honest. You don’t have to explain a painting of sorrow or joy because it’s already there, speaking volumes on its own. It becomes a shared experience, a bridge between the artist and the viewer.
At Nanat Baby, I channel this connection into my work. Every cute baby blanket and unique watercolor illustration for the nursery carries a piece of my journey—a reminder that even small moments of beauty can make a big impact. I’m proud to design unique baby blankets that nurture creativity and connection while staying true to our ethical roots.
Portrait of an old lady. Soft pastels. 2009.
Why It Matters
In a world that’s always shouting about productivity, art lets me rebel. It’s not about doing something “useful” or meeting a deadline. It’s about being in the moment, enjoying the act of creating for no other reason than the moment of doing.
It’s also about finding peace. The process of making—choosing colors, layering textures, letting the work evolve—forces me to slow down and reconnect with myself. It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t in the rush to finish but in the joy of simply being and making. And what’s more beautiful than creating pieces like nursery art prints or Pima cotton baby blankets that bring a sense of calm to a home?
Mouth detail, Philippe Solers.
What About You?
So, why does this matter to you? Because maybe, like me, you’ve felt overwhelmed by the noise of the world. Maybe you’ve been looking for something—anything—to quiet the chaos or process the emotions you don’t have words for.
Art doesn’t have to be “your thing” to matter. You don’t need to pick up a pencil or a paintbrush. But maybe there’s something else: a walk in the woods, a song that speaks to your soul, or a cozy evening with a beautiful Pima cotton blanket to remind you that softness and warmth are their own forms of art.
If you’ve ever felt that pull, I invite you to try. Let yourself create—messily, imperfectly, joyfully.
Ready to Connect?
Explore my latest collection of prints and blankets—each one born from moments of healing, happiness, mindfulness, and connection. Whether it’s for your home or your heart, something is waiting for you. Let’s make the world a little more beautiful together. Let’s teach our kids a peaceful way to be with the world. Together, we can embrace mindful parenting and discover how art matters in our daily lives.
xo,
Melanie
