Sigue tu corazón – The Story Behind My Latest Painting

When I first picked up the Little Golden Book version of Disney’s “It’s a Small World” to read to my son — a gift from my sister-in-law for his 2nd birthday — I had no idea it would inspire my next big painting.

We were in the middle of a life-changing transition. My husband and I had decided to move our businesses fully online and split our lives between the U.S. and El Salvador. The dream was beautiful, but the reality was heavy with doubt, fear, and a million moving pieces.

As I read the story, following the journey of children from all over the world greeting one another in their own languages, my heart softened. It reminded me of my own journey — from growing up in El Salvador until I was 15, to raising my kids in a bicultural, bilingual world.

By the last page, I had tears in my eyes:

“And through our trip, we learned that kids all around the world are pretty similar to us! It’s a small world after all.”

As an immigrant, I’ve often wrestled with the question of belonging — feeling caught between cultures and beliefs. This little book reminded me that, deep down, we are far more alike than different.

I knew I had to paint that feeling.

Sigue tu corazón — Follow your heart — became my way of weaving together my worlds, celebrating our differences while honoring the deep thread of connection that runs through us all.

Though I couldn’t bring the original canvas to El Salvador, I’m now working on a digital version that will soon be available as prints on the Purposeful Dreamer store.

This piece is a reminder to me — and hopefully to you — to follow your heart, even when the path is uncertain, and to celebrate the beauty in what unites us.