Peace peace peace! How have you been? How was February for you?

I have been good. Tired but good overall. I’ve been doing a lot, but what’s new, right?

February is a shorter month however it felt long as hell to me. It was definitely a full and rich month.

Highlights from February:

• I began taking swim lessons, which has been a bucket list item for years. I started as a beginner, beginner and now I am in the L2 program with Evolutionary Aquatics. I’m learning how to tread and gaining confidence in deeper water. I jumped into the deep end for the first time ever this week!

• As a result of taking swim lessons, I find a new level of fearlessness being unlocked and opened to me. My scope of what is possible is expanding.

• I curated an exhibition for QC Family Tree that is in two locations! Held In Bliss is a group exhibition currently showing at Myers Park United Methodist Church and the Arts Factory, both in Charlotte. If you have time, please go check out this show while it’s up. There are some deeply beautiful works there. And the artists are all so talented. We have an artist talk featuring artists from both locations coming up next Wednesday, March 19 at the Arts Factory 6-8:30pm. RSVP here.

• Great food and even better company

• I attended a dope event at SoulHaus Gallery in Columbia, SC. The co-owner, Preach invited me to come vibe and check out the space. I’m looking forward to continuing to cultivate this wonderful connection with this space and their team. And hopefully I’ll be showing work there sometime this year :-) I’ll keep you posted.

At this point, I’m sure I’m forgetting to mention some other highlights from February but it’s okay, so that’s it for now.

I know this love letter is coming later than usual, and I apologize. It seems like I have more going on than usual, if you can imagine. Finding a balance between all of the things has been a (mostly) welcomed challenge lol. Sometimes I feel a bit frazzled and I worry that I’m dropping the ball on some things. In fact I’m sure I have, which makes way for disappointment in myself as well as some self-doubt about whether or not I actually CAN do the things. Grace is a major part of my practice these days as a result. I do what I can, when I can, to the best of my ability or what my capacity will allow. I appreciate the folks in my circles who also show me grace and much patience. I am circling back to folks this week and next to hopefully pick things back up and get back on track. It’s mainly responding to emails.

Speaking of emails, I realized at the beginning of this month that I hadn’t been receiving emails in my business account (this email address) for most or all of February! Oh my goodness! I finally figured it out after rabbit-holing late into the night one night.

One day I’ll have the resources to comfortably hire someone who can keep track of and resolve stuff like that. As a solopreneur, I have had to gain working knowledge of so many things. Geez… I am grateful for this life I am choosing though and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it. All of the headaches and the occasional tears are worth it. Anywho, my email issue is resolved. If you sent me an email to connect@lovetiyacaniel.com in February, I am so sorry that I didn’t respond. I never got it :-/

I am currently hosting my first guest artist, Chalice Meikle inside my gallery space for her first solo show of 2025! The collection is called Violent Positivity. I believe I told you about it before. We just had her opening reception on Saturday. Check out the photos and videos from the reception below.

What a wonderful experience! I am so happy to be able to hold space for my friend and fellow artist Chalice. I feel honored that she so enthusiastically wanted to work with me and show her vibrant works inside my space.

I really look forward to hosting more artists and their works inside my gallery space throughout this year. In the meantime, schedule time to come by and see Chalice’s work! It will be up through mid-April. Schedule your gallery visit here.

I’ve begun working on a series of integrative workshops that help folks explore the chakras through yoga practice/teachings and art-making called Body | Mind | Canvas. Spots for my first workshop are open now. This offering will center the root chakra, which is the energy center that governs our feelings of safety and security, encourages us to examine family traditions/culture/beliefs, and cultivating deeper & loving connection with our bodies, among other things.

You can read more about it and reserve your spot here. This intimate and highly curated in-person experience has very limited space with only six spots. Art-making supplies will be provided, along with food and beverages.

I hope you will join me! I just know this experience will be super nourishing. You will come away feeling more grounded, connected with your bliss, and with applicable knowledge of how you can work with your root chakra energy in simple, sustainable ways to enhance your overall wellness. Plus, you’ll make your own artwork to take home!

Okay, I have one more thing coming up this month…

I have my own solo show opening this Saturday at Not Just Coffee in Atherton Mill in Charlotte, NC. RSVP here. I hope you can make it! Come see and buy some of my art. I’ll have a table set up with artwork and prints for sale as well. There will be some familiar works on display along with some newer ones too! It’s free to attend. RSVP’s are greatly appreciated. See you there!

As this letter comes to an end, I’m feeling more grounded and less stressed. I believe this is because getting this letter out to you has been a pressing to-do for the past week or so. I’ve been wanting to reach out to check on you and tell you about what I have going on so you can stay looped in. I’m happy to have finally made the time today.

Thank you so much for being here. If you are a person who subscribes to my newsletter, thank you. If you are someone who has bought things and come to any of my various offerings over the time you’ve known me, I thank you. Thank you for your business. If you are new to my world, welcome and thank you for sharing this space with me. I really do appreciate all the ways you have shown me support.

As always, I wish you peace, love, ease, balance, liberation, and eternal bliss,

Tiya