Embrace the Journey - A Tribute to My Mom
It’s been a while since I last shared an update. Life has a way of shifting in ways we don’t always expect, guiding us through seasons of growth, reflection, and sometimes……deep loss.
My last blog post was on October 4, just a few weeks before my world changed in a way I wasn’t prepared for - my mom passed away unexpectedly.
In the months since, I’ve been navigating the heartbreak of losing my mom. Grief has a way of unraveling you. It steals your sense of time, your sense of self. There were days I felt like an orphan, navigating a world that no longer made sense without her in it. It’s a loss that still feels surreal, and grief has moved through me in waves—some gentle, some overwhelming. Through it all, I’ve been holding onto the things that bring me peace: my art, my memories of her, and the quiet reassurance that she’s still with me in so many ways.
A Tribute to My Mom
❤️ My mom was one of my biggest cheerleaders - and well, she was THE BEST MOM. No matter what I was creating, she shared it with such pride, always boasting about how her daughter was an artist. She never questioned my path—only encouraged me, always believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. Her unconditional support always helped me push forward, shaping not just my art but the way I move through life. She wasn’t just my mom; she was a creator too. Creativity ran through her veins. She was always creating something— crafting, decorating, making videos and above all else - creating memories. She had a way of turning the ordinary into something beautiful. I grew up watching her pour love into everything she touched, and in so many ways, she was my first inspiration.
I’m incredibly grateful for the time we spent together before she passed. Without realizing it, we landed at her place in our RV exactly when we needed to. Those months with her were a gift—one I didn’t fully understand in the moment, but now treasure more than anything.
She may no longer be here physically, but I feel her presence in the brushstrokes of my paintings, in the moments of quiet encouragement when I doubt myself, and in the deep knowing that she wouldn’t want me to stop creating. So, I won’t. 🎨🖌️
A New Chapter for Keri Englehart Fine Arts - Studio Space!!!
So much has shifted in my world, and with that, I’ve re-centered my focus. While I’ve been balancing my full-time job, I’ve also been pouring more of my energy into Keri Englehart Fine Arts. Recently, I secured a studio space in Old Colorado City, a place where I can create, share my work, and connect with others during the First Friday Art Walks. I will be sharing more on this in the weeks to come!!
Beyond that, I’m exploring new ways to bring my designs to life—on prints, apparel, and other merchandise—so I can share my work not only in the studio, but also at art fairs, markets, and beyond.
Honoring the Journey
This past year has been a mix of loss, growth, and transition, but I’m reminding myself that I don’t have to have it all figured out today. What matters most is showing up—whether that’s through my art, my business, or simply making space for the things that bring me peace.
While my mom was in the hospital, surrounded by my sisters and me, she looked up with wonder in her eyes and said she saw dragonflies above each of us. We don’t know if she was hallucinating, or if maybe—just maybe—she was catching a glimpse of something beyond this world.
We later looked up the meaning of dragonflies and were stunned by how perfectly it fit: transformation, light, and embracing life’s changes. It was like a message from her soul to ours. ❤️ Something we’ll hold on to until the end. With that - we each went and got a tattoo of a dragonfly. 🥹
Mine says “Embrace the Journey.”
It’s a reminder of everything I’ve walked through personally— my own spiritual journey, my love for travel and exploration, and the way art connects it all - allowing us to see the beauty around and within us. It’s also a reminder to pause—really pause—and take in all that life offers us: the joy, the challenges, and even the heartbreak. Every moment, no matter how small or difficult, is a building block of who we are becoming. To embrace the journey is to honor every step that shapes our future self.
My mom always encouraged me to keep going, without judgment, without pressure—just love. So this next chapter is for her.
Thank you for being here, for your patience, and for continuing to support my journey. And….. if you’ve been navigating your own seasons of change, know that you’re not alone. We’re all finding our way, one step at a time. ✨
If you’ve ever lost someone who believed in you, I see you. And if their love still guides you, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s honor them together.
Thank you for being here. It means more than you know.
#ForMom #GriefAndCreativity #ArtistJourney #LifeAfterLoss #ArtAndHealing
“A whisper in the quiet air,
A dragonfly beyond despair.
Wings of light in fleeting flight,
A soul still shining, soft and bright.
She told me, “Create. Keep going, see—
The path ahead was made for thee.”
Through every loss, through every yearn,
There’s love in every twist and turn.
So here I stand, with brush in hand,
No map, no plan—just heart, just land.
I’ll paint the sky, the stars, the sea…
And learn again to just be me.
Not every step is clear or known,
But I don’t have to walk alone.
With every breath, with grace and mercy—
I’ll rise again,
and embrace the journey.”
