🎨 Hello!
How do we continue to shine our light in times of darkness…in our creativity, in our relationships with others, in our relationship with ourself?
I can’t comment here or on my social media accounts about the situation happening now in the region where I live - the Middle East. And what I mean by that is: I’m not legally able to comment on politics. But I can’t stay silent, either. So what can I say?
I can say that my heart is breaking. My heart is breaking.
I can say that when thinking about what to write to you, my creative community, this week…I kept coming back to the image of a candle shining a light in the darkness. I’d like to share this quote by Marianne Williamson:
Light is to darkness what love is to fear; in the presence of one, the other disappears.
What can we do as a creative, perhaps highly sensitive and deeply emotional person during times when it feels like the world is falling apart right in front of us? We can use our creativity to bring light to others.
We can use our sensitivity to shine a light on others. We can use our deep emotions that we’ve been blessed with to keep the candle of humanity burning.
Whatever expression of love your creative soul has been working on during these difficult times, keep going with that love creation. Keep shining your beautiful light. Keep amplifying the light of others. I’m sending love to you.
Good journey,
~Emily Lupita
🌸 An Amazing Painting by Charlie Ozan
When my son, Charlie Ozan, was first diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, he was only 18 months old. This was the earliest possible time that a diagnoses could be made at the time. The specialist (a respected pediatric neurologist) told me that Charlie would most likely never speak, never attend school with his peers, never live outside the home, never work, and never have a family of his own. He cautioned me that I would most likely still be changing Charlie’s diapers when he was a teenager.
And, he said that I would eventually need to make the difficult choice to institutionalize Charlie as an adult because I wouldn’t be able to meet his very significant special needs. The doctor said all this as Charlie spun him around and around in his chair…Charlie giggling and enjoying every moment of one of the worst memories of my life.
Now Charlie is 8 years old. He has very significant challenges in his daily life. And he’s had incredible success. Like starting to speak and learning to use the toilet…and now he even attends school with his peers (part-time and with a one-to-one therapist by his side). And so many more things…like this incredible painting that Charlie Ozan made during our Sunday art time together. What a gift to see him drawing and choosing the colors so carefully. As an artist, yes. And as a mother, too.
And the most wonderful part of the whole morning was when Archie Zafer saw his brother’s new artwork and got so excited and thrilled about what Charlie had made. Archie held up Charlie’s painting and wanted me to take a picture. He was so incredibly proud of his big brother’s work. What a beautiful, shining moment for us.
🌈 Charlie’s Painting Video
A video about Charlie’s painting and my big project launch, happening now…
The book I show in the video above is the first book in the Autism Brothers Book Series. It’s about Charlie & Archie visiting Cappadocia, Turkiye.
🦋 My Mission
I am creating the Autism Brothers Book Series because I want my sons to see themselves in the books we read. Representation matters. I want Charlie & Archie to see themselves going around the world on travel adventures…if not in real life due to their specific exceptional needs, then in these stories and paintings made with love by their mom.
I want this for others, too…for all the Autistic individuals and their families out there who deserve representation in children’s books (and everywhere else, too).
💙 Thank you!
Thank you for your encouragement and support of this very special project. It’s so close to my heart. Please consider sharing with your family & friends & local Autism awareness organization. We have 19 backers and are 25% funded with 7 days left.
I have a goal to post my new portraits and videos up on my Instagram account as they flow out. I hope to connect with you there as well. @EmilyLupitaSeries
🙏🏼 A Prayer
❤️🔥
Thank you for this, Emily. I so feel this same thing. I know I cannot do anything in the large world except to vote for and support kind people who will do the right thing. BUT...in my own little snow globe of a world I can try to be peaceful and bring joy and love to those around me. Where we can share that in our own spaces. Peace and love to you and those around you...