When The Universe Gives You a Creative Family

I met him at the underground station outside Westminster in London…

Wait, wrong story. Though that one’s magical too.

This story begins twenty-eight years ago at an art school in a tiny village in the south of France.

Four women—Esther, Maria, Pilar, and myself—found each other as we found ourselves through art. We hiked together, laughed together, and talked about art and school gossip and dreams late into the night.

But you know how these stories go. When classes ended, we scattered.

Maria and Pilar and I returned to the United States. Esther went back to her life in the village. Time and distance had their way with us, and we lost touch.

Fast forward thirteen years later… I was working as an art dealer when something told me to go back to that place where I had felt the most creative, that tiny French village.

So, I did as I was told: I quit my job, sold everything, and jumped into the unknown.

Follow this... The Muse had whispered. I still don’t know how I’d found the courage to listen.

But courage doesn’t make the landing any softer. I was terrified, isolated, spending my days
in silence, wondering if I’d made a massive mistake.

“I’m lost,” I sighed. “Come on, Universe. I need a sign. I jumped – now what?”

Then I saw a flyer for an art exhibition at that same art school. “Human beings!” I said to
myself. “There will be human beings there. And free wine. My two favorite
things!”

When I stepped into that tiny gallery, I stepped back in time. Because there they were – Esther, Maria, and Pilar, standing before me as if no time had passed at all.

“Crista, what are you doing here?”

Here’s the thing that still gives me chills: though it had been 13 years, we’d all independently decided to return to this magical place in France at exactly the same time.

Maria had arrived one week before me. Pilar the same day. They’d quickly found Esther. Each of us had followed our own calling, each of us ready to jump into something new – by going back.

The Universe had caught me, all right. And then She’d surrounded me with this little family I called my friends.

We picked up where we’d left off – hiking, laughing, and dreaming. For months, we talked about art and creativity and love and magic. What was it that drew each of us back to this place? What benevolent force had brought us back together at exactly the moment each of us needed it most?

Now, another decade has passed. True to our magic, Maria moved to this little village permanently when I did after Covid – again, independent of one another.

We don’t need to stay connected because The Universe makes sure we always are. Esther was
born here and never really left. And this month, Pilar came to visit.

The three of them decided to host an exhibition together, calling it “28”– because that’s how many years ago we first met. While I’m deep in my own book project, I had the joy of witnessing these three artists at their peak:

Go to Instagram to see Esther’s stunning photographs (@esthersobin), Pilar’s exquisite ceramics (@pilcas), and Maria’s intricate ink on paper drawings (@airameeltsitra).

The show was extraordinary.

When we’re all together again, it feels joyful. As if no time has passed. I’ll bet you have friends like that, too. 

Over the years, each one of my friends and I has lost our way as artists at some point – stumbled, doubted, fallen back instead of falling forward. And these are the women who pick us up again.

Here’s what I want you to understand: this creative family wasn’t something I planned or networked my way into. It was something The Universe gifted me when I was brave enough to follow The Muse’s whisper, even when – especially when – it made no logical sense.

But magic requires maintenance. Creative relationships need tending, just like gardens.

Your Quest:

Think about your own creative family. Who are the artists who’ve walked alongside you, even if years or miles have separated you? Reach out to one of them today.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect words. Just show up. Share where you are in your creative journey right now—the struggles and the victories, the dreams and the fears.

Because here’s the truth I’ve learned after decades of jumping and being caught: The Universe is always conspiring to support your journey. But sometimes She works through the hands and hearts of other artists.

What creative relationship will you tend this week?

---