This love story begins somewhere in the middle...

It was mid-October 2025, when Gabby and Justin shared their wedding photos with me; after an earlier conversation with expressed hopes and wishes for the art I was asked to create, to celebrate their newest chapter together. As briefly as introductions go, sometimes love [not easily, but rather pointedly, naturally, intuitively] is deeply felt: I summed up my first encounter with Gabby and Justin in one fully-inspired photo collage and began creative steps over the next several weeks.

But first, allow me to rewind to July 2025 when our friends, Sydney & Delilah [our mutual life connection] asked me to create art as a wedding gift for Gabby & Justin. To sum up, I completed the request on August 22, shipped it to New York City... in time for the September 6th wedding, For Gabby & Justin... [HYFA blog posted Nov. 11, 2025].

After hearing from the happy newlywed couple[s], the excitement of receiving wedding flowers from Gabby & Justin -- carefully packaged and shipped overnight -- on September 12, 2025, I began working and photo documenting with the belief that each step of my creative process is a moment worth capturing yet, as you scroll process photos, I have opted for a selection with brief captions to include dates and some details as the simplest way to highlight what I do. 

On and off during the fall/winter holiday season, I was more than delighted to work on Gabby and Justin's art request and focused on their expressed heartfelt wish to reference the importance of family, "from generation to generation" L’dor V’dor (לְדוֹר וָדוֹר) in Hebrew and with Gabby's grandmothers' names, Harriette Rose Katz and Dr. Iris L. Gair hand-scripted, in the middle of it all. 

For Gabby & Justin, art request [2 pieces]
​16" x 16" x 3/4" mixed media on panel, bronze floater frame, signed GYang

Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this moment in your life. ​
The love you have for your father, Mr. Oscar Wade Simmons and your family,
was deeply felt throughout this process
and truly apparent in the details you chose to commemorate.
With your permission and trust, it is an honor that I share this art request here.
Kindly yours, ​Grace

 
​Dear Gabby and Justin,
To celebrate you and your wedding, your connections with friends, families, and faith, the process of creating this art request was guided by the love of our mutual friends, Sydney and Delilah. It was their love for you and their wish for me to create art for you that inspired me to envision not just one, but rather two side-by-side pieces, created simultaneously with all of you in mind. 

Sydney & Delilah, Gabby & Justin, Friends & Families
S & D art request, Gabby & Justin [wed September 2025]
Hashkiveinu, peace prayer - Left [1st of 2] & Right [2nd of 2] 

From the photographs of you that Sydney and Delilah shared with me
the proposal: Gabby holding the umbrella and Justin down on bended knee
the engagement: white dress, sunglasses, a dapper main squeeze
I began painting with a grounded belief in the significance of
a collective love for one another as friends, families, and yet-to-be friends
the kind of love that embraces and inspires growth
and I am grateful to know that you are in my life.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this special moment.
My wish for continued good health, happiness, love and peace for each of you,
together for both of you, and for the ones you cherish dearly.
Kindly yours, Grace

​Thank you, Ms. Linda for trusting me to fulfill this uniquely wonderful art request. 

Earlier this summer, Ms. Linda introduced herself to me as Lisa's mother and asked if I could make art for her daughter -- to include ladybugs [Lisa's favorite] and "faith and hope" --  I remember feeling pure joy, the love between mother & daughter and accepted without hesitation. While speaking with Ms. Linda, we reflected on our mutual connecting person, Lisa and her remarkable presence in our lives, and I could not have imagined a more heartwarming full-circle moment.

** Lisa and I met a lifetime ago while working at the medical clinic, and over the years she has remained a shining light in my life. It is worth noting [as I believe many people in our community have come to know] that among her strengths, Lisa is compassionate and I am deeply grateful for her brilliance, kindness, and friendship **

A few weeks ago, during our in-person delivery of Ms. Linda's art request, Lisa shared with me the strength behind the Ladybug... faith & hope [A: 2 ladybugs].
In return, I shared my story behind the sister art piece [B: 4 ladybugs]... love is kind.
For each and both, in memory of Loves in our lives. 
For Linda and Lisa, I am thankful for you in my life.
With love and gratitude, Grace