Thanksgiving has never been just about the holiday for me, but rather about the people who I choose to spend my time with. The holiday holds a personal significance shaped by years of finding connection wherever life places me.
My relationship to the holiday began long before I became settled in Kentucky. Since my husband is in the military, going home for the holidays hasn’t always been possible. If a soldier couldn’t travel or didn’t have anywhere to go, the community on base would simply create a celebration together. No one was left alone. That sense of chosen family and showing up for each other because you can has always stayed with me.
My earliest memories of Thanksgiving also came from the kindness of a childhood friend and their family. The way they opened their home, shared food, and made space for me shaped the standard of what a holiday could be. Now, as an adult, I carry that forward in my own way. Friendsgiving usually becomes the version of the holiday that matters most to me, as I get to help host, and give back to those in my life.
In my professional life, Thanksgiving has become a kind of resting place. The busy holiday rush starts immediately afterward, so I use this weekend to slow down, step away from seasonal markets, and just be with my husband and friends. It's a moment to return to myself, not my to-do list. I focus on my needs as a person, not just who I need to be as a business.
This season always asks me to find balance: to honor my creative life without burning out, and to let the quieter parts of living matter just as much as the big, loud moments.
I’m deeply grateful for the friends and families who shaped what celebration means to me. I’m grateful for the artists who’ve poured into me, taught me, and helped me grow—many of them long before I ever called myself a professional painter. They’re a big part of the reason I chose this life. My art is layered with their care.
At its core, gratitude has always pulled me back to the people who feel like home. My chosen family. My community. The ones who celebrate with me, even when the holiday looks different every year.
A Small Thank You: Black Friday Gift
As a thank you for being part of my community—and for supporting my work in ways big and small—I’m sharing a special Black Friday discount code.
Use code: TURKEY
30% off all Stickers & Prints in my shop | Valid through December 4th, 2025
It’s my way of giving a little bit back to the people who make this journey possible.
Wishing you warmth, connection, and a season of gentle balance.
Yours Truly,
Makara