Hearts. So cheesy, so sticky sweet. I hated that I loved painting them, over and over. I encouraged myself  to search for more serious or meaningful subjects, but I felt a nagging urge to paint hearts. One February, with the pretext of Valentine's Day, I let go and fully indulged my desire to paint hearts. It felt amazing! I realized I had no business judging or criticizing what my soul wanted to express. And curiously, I find that people actually like hearts. Why wouldn't they? They are cheerful and jubilant! As an artist, painting hearts is comfort food for my soul. Likely the first symbol I learned to draw as a child and doodled on countless notebooks throughout my school years, the familiar task of drawing them is both soothing and uplifting.