Unexpected Art, Unforgettable Love: A Mother’s Legacy
Angela’s art project, Gifts No One Asked For, turns grief into love one small painting at a time.
These days, the news cycles of shocking headlines can be a constant source of anxiety and uncertainty. It’s incredibly heartwarming to discover someone putting positivity out into the world who asks nothing in return.
Meet Angela, an artist from Utah and the woman behind Gifts No One Asked For. She has transformed her grief into a mission of spreading joy in her mother’s honor by gifting people unexpected art.
I discovered her work as I was helping
set up for Live event. Aransas handed me an envelope filled with miniature paintings. She asked me to display them at the check-in table—each attendee would be able to select one to keep.
With the pieces laid out on the table in front of me, I held the empty envelope. Should I throw it away or hold onto it for Aransas? I glanced down and saw the return address. Ogden, Utah. I couldn’t believe it—what were the chances? My daughter, Carolina, was born in Ogden. It felt like a sign from the universe that I needed to learn more about Angela and her work.
Since then Angela and I have emailed and met over video and cannot believe how much we share in common beyond our mutual connection to Utah. This week, I bring you an interview with Angela PLUS an invitation to nominate someone in your life who needs some extra love to receive art in the mail—for free!
Q: You started your project after your mother died. Can you tell us more about her and why her passing inspired you to do this?
A: My mother was my person. She was my first call if I got good news, bad news or wanted to share the details of my day. She believed in me and my abilities and always encouraged me. Her loss was profound—I felt like I was floundering once she was gone and didn't know how to fix the gaping hole of time and love she once filled. I tried several things, and this one felt right and natural to me.
Q: How does it feel to you when you prepare and send art?
At first sending out my art was terrifying, now it is so exciting. I love thinking of what to paint each week based on information I have received from the people who have requested art. It is like the best natural high!
I also LOVE going to the post office. I have made friends with two of the workers there and they’ve become invested in my project. They’re always happy to see me and curious to know where my mail is going.
Q: Your instagram handle is Gifts No One Asked For. Tell me about that.
A: I started painting about 2-3 years ago and really got into it—I mean REALLY into it. I created so much art that I began gifting it to family, friends, and neighbors. I even sent out postcards I had painted anonymously. Whenever I gave someone my artwork, I would laugh and say that if I ever started a business, it would be called "Gifts No One Asked For" because no one ever requested my art, but I kept giving it anyway.
Around Christmas, my sister, my dad, and I discussed the idea of setting up a booth at our local farmer's market to sell some of our creations. My dad has Alzheimer's, which is really tough, but he loves going to pottery classes with my sister and me every week. As a result, my art collection kept growing! When New Year came around, I remembered that I had promised myself never to turn a hobby I loved into a source of income. So, impulsively and without a solid plan, I launched my idea on Instagram and began sending free art to people who requested it.
Q: How has this project helped you grieve?
A: Painting helps me slow down and focus on the present moment. I spent months running from my grief. Creating art compels me to confront the loss of my mom; it forces me to embrace the messiness of emotions and accept that I can't always be in control.
I once heard grief described as a bruise, and that resonates with me. I try to avoid touching or poking at it, but I can handle my grief in small doses, which is what painting allows me to do.
My mom was the embodiment of sunshine. She was everyone's cheerleader, and this is my way of honoring her legacy.
Q: You've sent art to almost 300 people now. What are the themes you see in the requests that come to you? Was there any request that really moved you?
A: There have been many meaningful experiences, but one story stands out. I was asked to send some artwork to a mother who needed a boost. I didn't know much beyond that.
After receiving my paintings, she followed me on Instagram and became one of my biggest supporters. A couple of weeks ago she sent me a picture of four painted circles with positive sayings clearly written by a child. She told me that her daughter was inspired by my art and wanted to make her own circles to give away. I don't think I have ever felt so appreciated!
Q: How did your relationship with your mother shape your understanding of creativity and compassion?
A: My mother loved me; I never questioned that. I was born into and raised in a very strict religion. My parents and family have found much love and happiness in this religion. Around 2020, I realized more and more (after about 10 years of struggling to stay in the church) that this religion was no longer a good fit for me and my values. I told my mom, and my mom met me with love and compassion, even though this was devastating for her. She told me she loved me because I was Angela, not because of my beliefs. That radical acceptance and compassion taught me to love with my entire heart.
My mom also LOVED my art. She was convinced I was the most talented artist who ever lived. She showed off my artwork to anyone who visited. She loved the creative side of me! When I was going through my parents' things to move them into an assisted living facility, my mom found artwork I had done in junior high, which she said I had tried to throw away when I was a kid. She saved it for decades! My mom always saw the best in me.
Q: What's the most memorable response you've received to sharing your art with others?
A: Many responses are simple yet impactful: "I really needed this today," "Thank you for brightening my day," or "Your art made me smile." My co-worker helped me understand that these statements carry more weight than I might realize. Bringing happiness or kindness into someone's life is a gift.
Q: Can you describe a moment when creating or sending art felt particularly healing for you?
A: I swear, every time I paint, I feel my mom or have these random forgotten memories of my mom pop into my head. Every time is healing. Whenever I address envelopes and select art, I also send a bit of my mom with it.
Q: What have you learned about human connection through this unexpected art gifting process?
A: So much! I have had people reach out and offer to share their art with the mission. I have had people who have gone no-contact with someone request art for the person who hurt them. It has been eye-opening. Also, the return on investment for me is a millionfold. I get so much joy and healing from every single order. Whenever I post about my mom, I get a comment from someone who was touched for good by my mom. There are no downsides to this business model! I have also learned there are so many good people in our world. Beautiful people who are spreading joy and building safe communities. It makes my heart so happy!
Q: What do you wish for this project to be a year from now?
I really want this project to grow! My goal is to get to 500 orders this year. I’d love to include multiple artists who are willing to share their talents. My sister has recently begun to contribute and a local stained glass artist reached out to me about donating her art as well.
The town where I love, Ogden, UT is going through a lot right now. Many people have been laid off from a local IRS location. This spring, once my flowers start blooming I’m going to start a free flower stand in my front yard. I am so freaking excited about this!
You can help Angela achieve her goal of sending 500 orders this year by:
Following @gifts_no_one_asked_for on Instagram and sharing this newsletter with your friends & followers.
Nominating someone who needs a little extra love by filling out the art request form: https://forms.gle/8efwLhuPv3LTQZjC7 or DM’ing Angela a name and address on Instagram .
In a world that often feels overwhelming, her art reminds us that love, creativity, and human connection can bring light in even the darkest moments.
PS: Angela will be a guest on an upcoming episode of The Uplifters podcast. You can subscribe to
Substack to hear about the episode as soon as it drops.Words of the Week
“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” —Mandy Hale
Photo of the Week
Before Carolina was born, my husband and I experienced devastating losses—our son, who was stillborn, and our daughter, who passed away shortly after birth due to a heart condition. As we waited anxiously for Carolina’s arrival in Utah, we spent our days planning local adventures to keep our minds occupied.
After a visit to the doctor with Marissa, Carolina’s belly mama, where we were assured the baby wasn’t arriving anytime soon, we took a road trip to Spiral Jetty—a striking land formation in the Great Salt Lake, created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970.
As we neared the lake, the road turned to dirt, stretching through a barren landscape almost entirely devoid of plant life. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, a cluster of sunflowers appeared at the edge of the road. We pulled over, and I captured this one in a photograph.
Angela and I share so many connections—through grief, through creativity, through finding meaning in what others might overlook. Like the sunflower in the Utah desert, Angela’s project is a reminder that unexpected moments of joy can take root even in the harshest of circumstances.
what an image;)
Thank you so much for this beautifully written piece. My heart might explode ❤️❤️❤️