#45. From Troostkunst to Earth Embrace: Seven Years of Light, Comfort, and Connection

Seven years of growth, change, and quiet meaning.

Today I’m celebrating a quiet but meaningful milestone: seven years since I officially registered my business with the Chamber of Commerce in 2018. A lot has changed since then - my work, my focus, even the country I live in. But what hasn’t changed is the inner fire that drives it all: the desire to create, to connect, and to offer something that touches the heart.

This blog reflects on the journey from my early days in travel photography to the birth of Troostkunst, and finally to the deepening vision that became Earth Embrace - where healing nature photography, light, and gentle presence come together.

From Travel Photography to Artistic Expression

In the beginning, I focused on travel photography. I was curious, eager, and filled with wanderlust. That phase was about discovery, both outward and inward.

Later, I explored more artistic expressions. I let go of literal images and allowed my photography to become more abstract, symbolic, intuitive. Slowly but surely, I started to feel that my work could offer more than beauty. It could offer comfort. Insight. A sense of peace.

The Birth of Troostkunst: Comfort Through Art

That’s when Troostkunst was born. A Dutch word meaning “art that comforts.” The idea emerged in 2020, during a period of grief and inner searching. I wanted to create something gentle. Something that could speak when words felt empty. Candles. Cards. Photo prints. Small gifts that could be sent to someone in pain or transition. Little flickers of light in the dark.

Lighting Candles, Creating Connection

Lighting a candle became a ritual, both personally and professionally. For myself, it was a way to anchor, to remember. For others, it was a gesture of warmth. A silent way of saying: You are not alone. I’m thinking of you.

When the Heart Leads the Business

My collection grew. I curated images, designed cards, wrote texts. I even created montage prints combining photography with poetry. Every item had a story. Every image a reason.

At the time, I didn’t see this as “business growth.” It was simply a need that asked to be answered from the heart. I never advertised much, but word of mouth slowly brought these objects into people’s lives. They were used in mourning rituals, as part of farewell ceremonies, or as reminders of love and care.

A New Chapter: Earth Embrace

Now, five years later, I no longer sell the physical candle holders or printed card sets. But the essence of Troostkunst remains. It lives on in my visual stories, in my healing nature photography, and in the quiet space I try to hold through all my creative work.

My business has changed names over the years: Travelheart Photography, Heartworks, Troostkunst, and now Earth Embrace. Each name reflects a layer of my journey. Each phase brought a deepening. And yet, the thread is always the same: the wish to soften the edges of life and offer moments of connection.

Honoring the Path That Brought Me Here

Sometimes, looking back reminds us why we began.
And today, I pause not to mourn what has changed, but to honor it.

Each version of my work carried a message. Each name held a season of my soul.