The Final Piece: A Masterpiece in Progress with Sylvia Wong
The Final Piece: A Masterpiece in Progress
As I spiraled down my daily TikTok hole, Kobe Campbell stopped me mid-scroll with this gem, "Healing is not becoming the best version of yourself.
“Healing is letting the worst version of yourself be loved."
I was in the middle of my latest collection, Let Her Be. It was inspired by the constant noise of society telling women how they should act, dress, live and show up in this world. Let Her Be in Her Power, in Community, in Peace, in Her Beauty, Her Freedom. I was trying to find the right words to describe my experience and journey as a woman who is constantly trying to be all things at once.
I'm not perfect. But, what I do know is that letting go of the shame of having made mistakes or being imperfect allows me to be free. It frees me up to just live and love in this moment, without worrying about what people think of me. It's a collection that is meant to be for us to be in solidarity with one another, as we seek freedom from the confines of what society tells us we should be.
When I saw this post, I was in a season of overanalyzing everything in terms of my healing journey. Feeling as if I needed to get to the end of this, to change, to be the best version of myself. Kobe's voice was what I needed to hear in that moment and is the reason that I created In Her Healing. We are ever changing, evolving, learning and adapting which means this healing thing is constant and that is okay.
A Conversation with
Sylvia Wong
Meet Sylvia, the creative force behind Via Calligraphy and a testament to the power of authentic creative expression. "I've been a calligrapher for seven years now," she shares, balancing her role as a marketing director with her creative pursuits. "I have learned that I just always need to make something. I have to make something at all times or have some kind of project or something that I'm looking to create or thinking about creating that is really like nothing to do with trying to make money and make a living."
The Power of Community Over Capitalism
#TheJustMarriedJacket
Sylvia's journey began with what would become the iconic #JustMarriedJacket project. "Essentially my first project as a beginner calligrapher was to write Just Married on the back of my favorite leather jacket for my small intimate wedding," she recalls. Rather than monetizing the concept, she chose a different path: "I put it up on a barter site in which you don't ask people for money for anything, you trade."
This decision led to something remarkable: "The jacket because I kept it like a pure project... it's been to over 200 weddings in Toronto." The project expanded globally, inspiring similar initiatives in London, New York, Hong Kong, and beyond. "It's the side of me that's like, I like community and connection and whatever comes out of that," she explains.
The Joy in the Process
For Sylvia, the creative process is all about embracing risk and learning from mistakes. "My favorite parts are the risk and the trial," she shares. "The risk of error puts you into places where you end up trying new processes... In every mistake you can make, there's something to be learned about the process or what you can do."
The Art of Becoming
Listening to Sylvia's story about embracing risk and finding joy in the creative process reminds me of my own journey with healing and art. Just as she discovered that mistakes in calligraphy can lead to unexpected beauty, I've learned that the parts of ourselves we try to hide often hold the most profound stories.
When I started creating the Let Her Be collection, I thought it was about empowering others. But as each piece emerged, I realized it was also about my own permission to exist exactly as I am. Like Sylvia's Just Married jacket that traveled to 200 weddings, sometimes the most meaningful art comes from a place of pure intention rather than perfect execution.
This journey has taught me that true healing isn't about reaching some final destination of perfection. It's about embracing every step of the process, even the messy parts. It's about creating space for both our masterpieces and our rough drafts. When we give ourselves permission to create without judgment, to heal without timeline, to exist without explanation – that's when we truly begin to flourish.
Your Creative Invitation
You know that you are a masterpiece, right? I believe that a self portrait is one of the most intimate ways to self reflect. I've done it a few times. You have to unveil every curve of your profile, discover what you like, what you don't. It's a process of self-love and discovery.
I invite you to create your own self portrait this week. It can include words, objects that speak for what is true to you. Share it with me at hello@melarieodelusi.com. Now this one, I cannot wait to see it.
Until next time, create your heart out.
Where to Listen & Connect
To connect with Sylvia and learn more about her work, you can visit her website at www.viacalligraphy.com. Make sure to follow her on Instagram @viacalligraphy to stay updated with her latest projects and insights.
Listen to Season One of The Rough Concept Podcast on your favorite platform:
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Share your creative journey using #TheRoughConcept and tag @theroughconceptpodcast. I can't wait to see what you create!