If you like it, Keep it!

"If You Like It, Keep It!" is a personal project of mine, inspired by a serendipitous moment at a coffee shop. While I was working, I noticed a woman sitting nearby, quietly sketching. When she left, she abandoned her artwork on the table. Intrigued, I took a closer look at her piece—a beautiful doodle portrait on a small canvas. At the bottom, it read, "Keep it if you like this art."

I liked it. But I didn’t take it. The artist had already given me something far more valuable: an idea and inspiration.

That encounter sparked a thought—I wanted to share my photography in a similar way. But I wanted to add a personal touch, something meaningful. When I printed my photos at Staples, I realized that while the images were vibrant and expressive, the blank backs felt unfinished. What could I add?

Then it hit me: a handwritten letter. I often keep my thoughts to myself, but this felt like an opportunity to open up. It became the perfect balance of art and self-expression—a way to share not just my work but also my voice.

Since then, every time I visit a coffee shop, I bring a print of my photography. I sit down with my coffee, pull out a random print, and start writing. I never plan what I’m going to say—I just let the words flow. When I’m done, I leave the print on the table and walk away.

What happens to it once I leave it? I have no control. Maybe it gets thrown out. Maybe someone picks it up, reads it, and feels a spark of inspiration. As an artist, my job is done the moment I leave the piece behind. The universe decides the rest.

I can only hope my words find their way to someone who needs them.