Welcome to the Heart of Our Work

Virginia Freyermuth, M.F.A., Ph.D.

Welcome! Thank you for being here as we share our first Substack post!

As a mother/daughter team dedicated to work that is inspiring, uplifting, and beautiful, this Substack space is an extension of something deeply meaningful to us. For years, we’ve built a community around care and creativity through social media inspired by our beloved 3-pound therapy dog, Norbert, and through our art, writing, and educational efforts. This Substack is the natural next step: a place for deeper connection, gentle inspiration, and creativity that nourishes the soul. Our company, Polly Parker Press, may be small, but we believe you don’t have to be big to make a big difference in the world. We can each make a difference in our own way.

Why This Space, Why Now?

Here, among a like-minded community, you’ll find creative inspiration that arises from a mix of personal reflections, Nature-based experiences, art and writing ideas, behind-the-scenes glimpses into our creative process, and the unfolding journey of our work to spread smiles. We’ll explore what it means to live a creative life—one rooted in wonder, attentiveness, and care.

Some posts will come from me (artist and holistic art educator) with an eye for nurturing mind, body, spirit. Others may come from my daughter, Julie Steines, a warm-hearted writer and advocate for pets and people. We each bring our voices, our vision, and our stories—with a shared mission of making the world a little more caring and beautiful. We believe in giving back, so you will also hear about our philanthropic efforts.

What’s In It For You?

Ways to Your Art intends to help you find ways to follow your heart in positive and creative ways. If you’re an artist, a nature lover, an animal-lover, a creative, a tender-hearted soul, or someone who simply wants to live a little more intentionally, this space is for you. We hope our words and images feel like a breath of fresh air—something you look forward to, and something that gently nudges you toward your own creative path.

Each post will offer a simple takeaway: a prompt, an image, or a small idea to carry with you. Think of it as an encouraging companion, inviting you to explore ways to uncover what’s unique and brilliant about you.

We’re so grateful to walk this path with you. If you feel moved, you can subscribe for free, comment, or share with a friend who might welcome this kind of quiet encouragement in their life. (Be sure to add the subscription email address to your contact list). Feel free to visit our websites (in the About section) to learn more about us.

With warmth and wonder,
Virginia