As You Are!

Why the truest transformation is becoming who you've always been.

Hi. So glad you’re here… as yourself!

As we move through Pride Month, I hope you’re enjoying the celebrations, the loud love, and the bold self-expression. I personally think there’s something very beautiful about seeing people live openly and freely.

But what I really want to remind you of is this: Pride is about being yourself.

Not a version that hides, shrinks, or apologizes. Not a version of yourself that makes others comfortable. Just you.

Don’t you prefer spaces where you feel free to be your most authentic self? I know I do. And if we prefer that for ourselves, I’m sure you see that this demands we prefer that for others too.

It comes down to this:

Whether you celebrate loudly and boldly or in a quieter, more personal way, there’s no wrong way to show up as yourself. You don’t need to fit into anyone else’s version of what Pride “should” look like.

Because Pride isn’t a performance. It’s a declaration that who you are is worthy of dignity, and belonging, and love.

If you’re someone who still feels hesitant about fully stepping into who you are, maybe this month can simply be a reminder that you deserve to take up space too. As yourself! Not because you’ve earned it. Not because you’ve proved yourself. But because your existence is enough. Just being means you should BE.

(Sophia “Metamorphosis” Print)

That’s why I wanted to share this Sophia piece with you. To me, Sophia Metamorphosis is about becoming. It’s about transforming from a manufactured, acceptable way of being you, to becoming your genuine self. That’s the truest transformation. It’s about shedding expectations, fear, and shame, and stepping more fully into who you’ve always been.

This is one of the miracles of art: once I created Sophia “Metamorphosis”, it becomes its own entity. Little did I know, when I drew it, that this Sophia drawing would experience its own transformation. I didn’t realize it at the time, but later I noticed, and others did too, that the closer she is to the ground, the more colour she has. I guess my own deepest self was trying to convey that the more grounded we are in our own authenticity, the more joyful and meaningful our lives become. It’s a metamorphosis from the drab black and white of tightly controlled living to the diverse and colourful life of freedom.

(Timber “But This Is Me Now”)

My Timber piece conveys the same message. Timber, But This Is Me Now, is about the confident declaration to the world that you are not what others claim you are. You are who you are, and you have the right to know what, that is. No one knows you like you do. And, like Timber, on the brink of the cliff of decision, you can now assert… THIS IS ME! Take me or leave me. But this is who I am. Deal with it!

This, to me, is an important part of what Pride is about.

It’s about being seen, loved, and accepted as you are. And becoming more and more yourself every day. Whether people like it or not.

But what I’m finding… from my own life and from the testimony of others, is that when people love you for who you really are, then you find out what true love is, and this is where you find life-giving relationship.

I hope you have it now. And if you don’t, I hope you find it soon.

With love,

david

P.S. Don’t forget about my 3-for-2 sale on all prints! Use PRIDE26 at checkout.