The Big Stomp is an annual music festival produced by mental health nonprofit The Pete Foundation. My booth was located next to theirs and I offered the proceeds from my art to support their efforts to stomp the stigma and champion youth mental health and wellness.

I also printed my tagline “feel, better” on some plastic wristbands and handed them out at the festival. 

These two words, divided by a very intentional comma, offer both a directive and a hug. The hug acknowledges the pain we are all carrying on some level; the directive instructs us not to ignore our emotions, and to learn how to feel with more intentionality.  

I canvased the various stages, telling folks I hoped they would be supported in learning how to “feel, better.” My gifts were met with high fives, smiles, hugs, and lots of  “thanks, I needed this today!”

A year later, I still run into folks wearing the wristbands. One man let me know that the affirmation had become a link to his sobriety. Another said it helped him cope with the loss of a brother to mental health issues that had been exacerbated by substance abuse. Two simple words, and one powerful reminder that had impacted them profoundly.

Those two days back in 2023 mark the official launch of my “feel, better” campaign. 🩵