I had just gotten back from spending time with my sister and her family including my new little baby niece that was only like a week old. In returning to Rochester I was a bundle of emotions – and so I knew that I had to paint and get it out.

If you’ve been following us and our vlogs for a long time or if you knew me before I went to Korea, then you might know that I LOVE musical theater. I did 6 shows in grade school and a lot of broadway review type performances in college including songs from Les Miserables. I did however, get away from all of that when I went to Korea. But I will get back to that in a moment..

The other day I was rocking and singing to my niece and watched her face as she was dreaming. Like my heart, her face was a bundle of emotions as she dreamt. One of my biggest concerns about having kids and especially a girl is that the world is not really a friendly place to little girls. I held my niece and thought that I would give anything to protect her and give her a beautiful and happy childhood. The reality is, I know my sister is going to do a great job.. but she and my other niece will be growing up in the world as it is and as it will be. Perfect princess castles and lives do not exist. “And they lived happily ever after” only exists in storybooks. And she will learn that in due time. But for the moment I can sing to her from Les Miserables a song about wonderful castles that exist in the clouds filled with loving and kind people.

This artwork is a one of a kind piece hand painted by Stephanie Ishler of Hallyu Back. All artwork is for sale unless otherwise specified. If you are interested in purchasing this original painting, contact us here!