Letting Go

Behind the Artwork

Close-up of hand written Let Go statements

A Daughter’s Story

More than one hundred participants submitted “Let Go” sentences to be collaged onto my ArtPrize Nine painting. But one woman caught my attention when she wrote this statement: “Mom, I’m letting go of my expectations of what our relationship should look like. I forgive you for the pain you caused, and I release you from any responsibility to heal me.”

Her profound statement, “I release you from any responsibility to heal me,” compelled me to contact her to see if she would share more of her story. She agreed. The following vignette shows her progression from heartache to healing. The Let Go journey is always difficult but never impossible.

Mom,

You said I shouldn’t be affected by your decision to divorce my dad. What you didn’t realize was that you not only closed yourself off from Dad, but from me as well. When you shut yourself away in your room and told me not to bother you, I learned that I no longer had a mother to depend on; I had to fend for myself.

When I left for work one day, you changed the locks to prevent my dad from coming in. But you didn’t realize—you locked me out too. Over and over, you chose your “freedom” and your “own” path over me. Your choices cut a deep wound in my heart.

One day, I realized you would probably never apologize; I needed to forgive you, or my bitterness would end up consuming me. I had to accept you for being you, instead of wishing you were some other mom.

Mom, I’m letting go of my expectations of what our relationship should look like. I forgive you for the pain you caused, and I release you from any responsibility to heal me.

Love,
Your daughter

This is one of the stories that inspired the Let Go exhibit.

Note: Some details have been changed to protect identities.

Join Our Team: Be a Part of Something Big

Behind the Artwork

What We Do

We create spaces where visitors feel personally cared for and validated. Our healing work has touched thousands of ArtPrize visitors—one person at a time (ArtPrize is a huge art event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan). Last year, 70,000 ArtPrize visitors participated with our soul healing artwork by writing Let Go notes.

Your Healing Stories

An ArtPrize visitor wrote: “I will be clean from crack cocaine sixteen years. Finally letting go!”

A mom wrote: “I want my son back. I feel like watching his internal battle is slowly killing me. I’m now choosing to let go of my lack of control. I need to take this step for my own emotional healing.”

A third grader wrote: “I am letting go of perfection because I want to be myself—the self that is not perfect!”

A son wrote: “Dad, you’re supposed to protect me from people like you. All I ever wanted was your love and approval. My heart longs for a real father.”

Our Next Challenge

This year’s interactive work will address bullying and school shootings by starting a Butterfly Effect—where one positive action impacts another positive action—to help better our world.

Make a Difference

We would love for you to be part of this journey. Since our art is very much collaborative and interactive, we would like to invite you to be part of our team for ArtPrize…and beyond. We would be so grateful for your help. Come join our team! Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Let Go: Forgiveness

Behind the Artwork

Several people have attested to the healing they experienced as they wrote their Let Go statements at ArtPrize. We challenged the audience to write a note and then to release the crumpled paper. As their notes symbolically became one with the painting—mixing with the waves and being carried out to sea, many experienced a new level of peace.

One man shared his experience of personal growth at ArtPrize. The Let Go exercise helped him to realize that he had buried a grudge for decades. But in writing the Let Go note, the tide finally turned, marking a new point for him. As a result, he experienced a tranquil place of soul healing—at an art exhibit.

How has letting go freed you? Share it #LetGo

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Let Go: Children Respond

Behind the Artwork

Life’s ebb and flow eventually may bring us to a healing place. At times, we may feel like we’re drowning in the sea of despair, defeat, or disappointment. But transformation can occur if we are willing to accept change.

ArtPrize visitors were invited to write a couple of words on the vellum paper to identify their struggle—the thing that was weighing them down—like control, fear, unforgiveness, etc. Many discovered that just writing a few words helped activate the healing process. Even the children got involved. Don’t miss some of the funny, but profound, responses from these kids.

What is one thing that you need to Let Go of? Share your story #LetGo

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Let Go: Releasing

Behind the Artwork

Many participants wrote Let Go statements about difficult relationships. Interactive healing art invites honest reflection. And as a result, many ArtPrize visitors experienced a new level of freedom as they begin to Let Go of the things that weighed them down or dragged them under.

Here’s a peek into one woman’s story:

“I am letting go of all the hurt my husband has put me through. I know he doesn’t mean it. But it still makes my heart bleed. Signed, your wife”

What is your Let Go story? Share your story #LetGo

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Join Our Team for ArtPrize Ten!

General

Butterfly paintings

Who We Are

We create spaces where visitors feel personally cared for and validated. Our healing work has touched thousands of ArtPrize visitors—one person at a time (ArtPrize is a huge art event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan). Last year, 70,000 ArtPrize visitors participated with our soul healing artwork by writing Let Go notes.

Your Healing Stories

An ArtPrize visitor wrote: “I will be clean from crack cocaine sixteen years. Finally letting go!”

A mom wrote: “I want my son back. I feel like watching his internal battle is slowly killing me. I’m now choosing to let go of my lack of control. I need to take this step for my own emotional healing.”

A third grader wrote: “I am letting go of perfection because I want to be myself—the self that is not perfect!”

A son wrote: “Dad, you’re supposed to protect me from people like you. All I ever wanted was your love and approval. My heart longs for a real father.”

Our Next Challenge

This year’s interactive work will address bullying and school shootings by starting a Butterfly Effect—where one positive action impacts another positive action—to help better our world.

Make a Difference

We would love for you to be part of this journey. Since our art is very much collaborative and interactive, we would like to invite you to be part of our team for ArtPrize…and beyond. We would be so grateful for your help. Come join our team! Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Let Go and Refocus

From the Heart

My dad on hand written Let Go note

Mental illness is rarely discussed. Yet a couple of different Let Go submissions dealt with this seemingly taboo topic. Art invites honesty. Within the context of art, we can say things that may not be as acceptable in another arena.

I’m so thankful for the honesty of the participants at the Let Go installation. They have inspired the rest of us to persevere through the difficulties we all encounter. Tell us your story at #LetGo. We would love to hear from you.

Mental illness is a horribly debilitating thing. But I’m letting go of my focus on the disease, and I’m refocusing on my journey towards wellness.
Signed, Camilla

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.