A Valentine’s Day gift for my clients only…
Is there such a thing as having a love affair with one’s home?
I think so. Let’s face it, our homes are the sanctuary where we can truly be ourselves. Having a love affair with your home is about a deep, emotional connection that makes you feel safe, comforted, and at peace. It’s like a relationship that evolves over time. It begins with infatuation when you find it, grows through shared experiences, and becomes a lasting bond that withstands the test of time.
Nearly all of you receiving my Valentine’s Day Client gift (sent by email) own one of my hand-crafted original custom house portraits of your own home or the home of someone you love. Not only that, your home is well loved and cared for.
What better way to remind you of this bond but with the famous quote “Home is where the Heart is.” It captures the essence of what makes a place truly feel like home, reminding you of the emotional connections and special memories. A house, no matter how grand or humble, becomes home only when it is filled with love, comfort, and a sense of belonging. And I aim to capture that feeling in every pen and watercolor home portrait I create.
I would like to offer the image you see below in a downloadable form which you can print in any size, frame in any way and hang upon your wall.
Download the Home Is Where The Heart Is high resolution file.
Alternately you can click on this link to be able to order the “Home Is Where The Heart Is”print through my online art store. This will give you the option of printing it on watercolor paper, wrapped canvas, metal, and even wood. It also gives you different matting and frame options if you so desire.
Remember you can print and frame it any way you wish. For example this simple white frame can fit in any room or be of any size and provide a welcoming message at the entrance of your home.
What does Home Is Where The Heart Is mean to you?
I started looking at what is this means to me personally and I became quite nostelgic in doing so. Many of your home portraits immediately came to mind. I pulled out just a few that I feel really exemplify this message.
One of the most fundamental aspects of the idea that “Home is where the Heart is” is the emotional bond we form with the people, experiences, and places that we hold dear. For many, home is not just a building, but a space that holds memories of family gatherings, childhood experiences, and personal growth.
For example, you may think of the extreme lengths you had to go to in order to get your boys back into the house to have dinner. . .
… or how much you enjoyed watching the neighbor’s cat stalk but never catch any of the birds that would frequent your bird bath.
The comforting presence of loved ones, the sound of familiar laughter, or the shared moments of joy and sorrow all contribute to the concept of home. When we are with those we love, or in a place that nurtures our soul, we feel at peace, grounded, and content. This connection is what makes any place feel like home, whether it is a cozy apartment in a bustling city or a cabin in the quiet countryside.
I reflected on some of the favorite porches I have relaxed on or painted for clients. I especially loved the indoor-outdoor spaces in the many homes I have lived in and fondly recall some of the friends and family who joined me.
For some, home is a physical location that brings comfort and stability. For others, it may be a temporary space—a dorm room, an apartment in a foreign city, or a transient moment in time where love and belonging take center stage. The affinity one feels with these spaces defines their experience of home. For example, my husband and I love sitting on our porch stoop with a coffee and talking to people who go by or simply enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.
For many others, interacting with the local community, makes their home special, such as having a little library stocked up with books for the neighborhood kids.
The love affair with your home and surroundings isn’t without its challenges, just like any relationship. Sometimes, it’s easy to take it for granted, especially when the day-to-day responsibilities start piling up. But it’s in these moments that we are reminded of the importance of nurturing our space. Just as in any partnership we need to care for our home—cleaning it, decorating it, fixing things that break, and infusing it with love and attention. Not to mention tending to the garden and maintaining the landscaping and property as a whole. This care, in turn, deepens the bond, making the home feel even more like a friend, ready to support and comfort us when we need it the most.
In conclusion, the idea that “home is where the heart is” serves as a reminder that home is defined by emotional connection rather than geography. It is the people, memories, and sense of peace that we find in a place that transforms it into a home. Home is where we feel safe, loved, and understood, and where we can truly be ourselves. Whether it’s the house we grew up in or a distant place that we have come to cherish, it is our heart that makes any space feel like home. Ultimately, home is not always a place, but a feeling—one that we carry with us wherever we go.
If you have made it this far, well done and thank you for listening! I’d love to know what makes your home so special to you.
And from my home to yours, I wish you, your family and loved ones an awesome Valentine’s Day! Don’t hesitate to get in touch and thank you again for being a wonderful client.
Love,
Leisa
