32 | APRIL 22 • 2021 continued from page 31 creating a colorful, joyous frame to what has become her reading room, akin to a man cave. She next turned her eye to a wooden bannister, which now dances with lively details. “I’m inspired by a lot of things, ” Levin says. “It could be a person that I love, a color, a texture. A lot of my pieces have repetitive black and white checks and dots on them. Creating repetitive patterns is very relaxing and calming for my mind as well. ” AN UPLIFTING HOME Now, over a year into the pandemic, Levin’s home has become a “living, breathing work of art, ” she says. “It’s not a gallery where pieces are hang- ing on the wall, but the home itself is the art. We live within the artwork, and it is so inspir- ing while life has been so chal- lenging. The process has been therapeutic and living with it is so uplifting. “I realized you don’t have to shut off part of your life or go into a different career path to realize that your passions don’t have to stop, ” she says. “You are your own individual person before you are a spouse, an employee. You are your own human being before you are any of your tasks. I am a coach. And I am an artist. ” She now sees her art as a safe haven — and wants others to realize their own passions, too. “If you have something you’re passionate about, find a way to do it. The world needs more people who are not scared to be honest about themselves, whether you gar- den, cook, paint, whatever, ” Levin says. “We need to tap into these things to express ourselves, even if you haven’t done it since you were a kid. Especially now, we need to tap back into our joy, and share it with each other. ” Levin creates commissioned pet portraits, tapping into the animals’ personalities with playful use of color and brushstrokes. HOME & GARDEN S P R I N G O P E N S T U D I O SAT. MAY 1 + SUN. MAY 2, 2021 | 10AM – 6PM Free, public event with live glassblowing demonstrations One-of-a-Kind Sculptures and Gifts Portion of the proceeds donated to the Michigan Humane Society Call 248.745.3786 epiphanyglass.com 770 Orchard Lake Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341 COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL Schedule A No Obligation Quote with Justin Bright Today! 586.630.5311 BrighterCleaningServices23@gmail.com Whether it’s your household or commercial space, we’ll always leave it a “Brighter” space Brighter Cleaning Services strives to provide our clients with a spotless cleaning experience. We will foster lasting relationships with each of our clients. We will fi nd every way possible to service the requests and needs of every family or business that chooses us. If you are not completely 100% satisfi ed, we will re-clean for FREE!