| THE EPISTOLARIAN |
Thirty Truths
This week, as I prepare for my journey to Ireland, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible path we’ve walked together over the past few years. Below, I've outlined 30 things I've learned that I hope resonate with you too. Do let me know your favorites from the list!
When I first launched Kathryn Hastings, I was too shy to call myself an artist, even though that truth was within me all along. I only dreamed of one day sharing my art with others.
Now, more than four years later, so many of those dreams are unfolding. The first-ever Art of Wax Seals retreat is happening (with more to come!), the launch of the Art of Wax Seals course is live, and new heirloom collector seals are set to debut throughout the year. These milestones are not just mine—they’re yours too.
If you haven’t yet, I highly encourage you to enroll in The Art of Wax Seals. This course is designed to teach you incredible artistic techniques while helping you carve out space to explore and develop your own creative expression. This week, there's a brand-new section focused on highly detailed Chinoiserie seals—perfect for those who love intricate, timeless designs. Enroll here. You can access the course as it's best for your schedule.
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Also, if you’ve been eyeing a seal, now is the perfect time! Be sure to place your orders before I leave for Ireland. Any orders after this Wednesday will be fulfilled in early October. One of my personal favorites, the Gretna Green seal, is now available—this heirloom piece is not to be missed!
Of course, this art is not really about wax or seals—it’s about something much deeper. It’s about artistry, connection, and the joy of creating something meaningful. As I reflect, I’ve put together 30 reminders—life lessons I believe you’ll discover through my art and your own artistic journey. I’m so excited for what’s next, and I can’t wait to see you grow alongside me.
30 Life Lessons - Which is your favorite?
- You are more than your productivity.
Taking time away from normal "productive" tasks to create something beautiful is perhaps a better way to "produce." - Appreciate beauty every day.
Slow down, witness the world, and celebrate your existence exactly as it is. - Happiness doesn’t require more; it requires presence.
We don’t need excess to be happy—what’s essential is carving out space to notice and enjoy what’s already around us. - Make intentional choices about your space.
Curate your home/office environment with intention, focusing on beauty and meaning. What makes you feel good? - Create beautiful, thoughtful letters.
It’s not about quantity—focus on making meaningful, beautiful letters to share with others. - Beauty lies in the act, not the object.
Whether through paintings, wax seals, or letters, the value is in creating and sharing something meaningful. - Celebrate the transient nature of creation.
Once you create something, it moves beyond you—letters beautifully honor this process. - You are a part of history.
Letters and wax seals link us to generations past and future, reminding us we are part of a larger continuum. For those who collect seals, you know that the objects you hold will someday be in other's desks and they will think of you. - Celebrate and love YOUR handwriting.
Your handwriting is an expression of your unique self, deserving of appreciation and love. - Embrace your rich inner life.
Share the depth of your thoughts, experiences, and emotions through intentional, artistic expression. - The universe gets to show you how good life can be.
Allow the world to reveal its beauty and abundance in unexpected ways. - Creativity is a celebration of life.
Each act of creation reflects the joy, beauty, and meaning found in life. - You are connected to a timeless flow.
Your art bridges the past, present, and future, connecting you to all times. - Beauty is found in simplicity.
Grand gestures aren’t required for beauty; small, intentional moments can be just as powerful. Something as small as a wax seal is worthy of time and attention. - Letters are time capsules of emotion.
Every letter preserves moments of human connection for future discovery. - There’s power in sharing your creations.
By sending your work into the world, you invite deeper connection. - Slowing down enhances creativity.
The most beautiful work comes from taking time to reflect and notice details. - Your art is a gift to the world.
What you create touches lives in ways you may never see. - You are a custodian of beauty.
Your intentional creations elevate and inspire others. - Your artistic choices define your legacy.
Every work contributes to a legacy of beauty and meaning. - Celebrate the journey, not just the outcome.
The process of creating is as valuable as the final piece. - Your art creates ripples of joy.
The beauty you create sends waves of joy into the world. - Inspiration comes when you make space for it.
Clearing mental and physical space invites inspiration to flow. - Authenticity is your greatest artistic tool.
Creating authentically resonates deeply with others. Make things that interest you and see how others respond. - Art is an act of love.
Every creation is an act of love—for the process, the recipient, and life itself. - You honor your existence through creation.
By creating, you honor the way you experience the world. - Every detail matters.
Beauty is often found in the smallest details, whether in a letter or a brushstroke. - Letters are a way to express gratitude.
Every letter you write is an opportunity to share thanks and love. - You are part of something larger.
Through art and letters, you contribute to the collective human experience. - Art speaks in ways words cannot.
Your creations express what words sometimes fail to convey.
A Framed Kathryn Hastings Masterpiece
Have you ever dreamed of owning one of my pieces for your home?
I recently framed one of my favorite seals to date—a stunning hand-painted Three Graces seal, featuring an exquisite Chinoiserie design and a delicate 3D bird.
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The Three Graces—representing charm, beauty, and creativity—have long been a symbol of unity, joy, and the harmonious flow of life’s pleasures. In mythology, they personify the generosity of spirit, the sharing of beauty, and the grace that arises from the act of giving. This seal, with its depiction of the Three Graces, carries that timeless symbolism into a tangible form, reflecting the elegance and refinement that these figures represent. The art brings these themes directly into your home. 
The Chinoiserie design adds a layer of sophistication, blending Eastern and Western influences in a way that has fascinated collectors for centuries. The intricate, delicate patterns elevate the seal's elegance -- It's hard to show just how tiny those details are!
There is only one of these available. I have it signed and ready to send to you.
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Add the "To Gretna" Seal to Your Collection
I briefly shared this seal in my stories, and the response was immediate! If you know this seal belongs in your collection, be sure to order quickly for two reasons:
- I want to make sure you get yours before they sell out.
- I’d love to fulfill your order before I leave for Ireland.
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Color of the Week: Clementine
This vibrant sealing wax color embodies the zest and brightness of fresh citrus fruit, inspired by my time in Ojai, California, where I attended high school. Ojai, with its iconic orange and pixie tangerine trees, has always symbolized optimism for me—a feeling of renewal and discovery, much like the start of a new school year.
This radiant orange hue captures that sense of excitement and the promise of growth, learning, and adventure.
| Clementine Bundle |
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The Orange by Wendy Cope
At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.
And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.
The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.
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With love,