What is "happy art"?

Someone asked me this question recently. And I love that they did. I think the answer is as individual and unique as we are. But this is what “happy art” means to me…

I will start by saying that the walls and shelves of our home are filled with art, whether that be a painting, a figurine, or a piece of pottery. Each one gifted to us, brought home from a special place, or discovered in the recesses of a thrift shop. What they all have in common is that they are place markers in our life. Memory keepers. This is why art fills our home. What is common to all of these pieces, is that each one makes me feel something hopeful. Each one warmly embraces me. I liken it to taking that deep breath to right oneself. This is what I consider “happy art”. And this is what I try to evoke in all of my paintings.