A Gift of Free Art
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BONUS: In the audio version of this post, we feature a song written about Welcoming by one of our community members, Vale Tubert.
Have you ever noticed the Welcoming Way logo?
In this day-of-digital, it could be easy to miss that this little gem was hand-painted with watercolor and love.
It is a Ryan Stover original.
Ryan started his official art career at the same time he used his artistic talent to help launch The Welcoming Way.
These two co-incidents are no coincidence. Ryan began practicing Welcoming as one pathway to help him become the artist he is today.
Over the past two years, I have watched Ryan use Welcoming to courageously tend to his inner landscape. He’s moved toward his own doubt, insecurity, fear, and, at times, overwhelming enthusiasm, in order to step into his new vocation as an artist.
On his live-stream, he paints publicly while narrating how Welcoming can support the creative process.
What I love most about Ryan’s journey over the last couple of years is that it exemplifies how Welcoming happens inside of us and, at the same time, the effects have outward expressions.
It’s like enriching soil; better soil equals better veggies. A great farmer doesn’t work on the plants themselves, but on their environment, knowing that this tending (which comes from the same root as “tenderness”) will yield a better bounty.
I’m writing about Ryan today for two reasons.
The first is to paint a picture (ba-dum-ching!) of one possible outcome or application of welcoming. Welcoming isn’t just about feeling better, although, thank goodness for that. It’s also about braving territory that has been so off-limits that we never got to explore our potential beyond the forbidden land.
The second reason I’m writing about Ryan today, is that he is GIVING AWAY FREE ART.
As he steps more fully into his artist identity, he is announcing his arrival by sharing his work for free. Yes, his goal is to grow his art business to help sustain himself and his beautiful family. But as a close friend, I can say without reservation, Ryan would give away all his art, if he could.
He’s just that kind of person.
If you’re moved by the art you see here, consider ordering a free print as a gift to yourself or someone else.
Ryan, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for helping to make the dream of The Welcoming Way into a reality. While I’m so grateful you’re still part of this project, I wish you all the success your art and your heart deserve.
With Love,
Leah