The Art of Slow Looking: Discover What You've Missed

|Maria Pavlova
Letter Y by the shadow from the sign

It started with a walk—me finally slowing down, letting the noise fade. I wasn’t searching for anything. But something shifted when I gave myself permission to simply notice.

In cracks on the sidewalk, the angles of branches, the way shadows stretched across a fence—I started seeing letters. Shapes. Words. It was like the world was whispering something just for me, a hidden language waiting to be found.

That quiet attention changed everything.

Letter S from the sticks on the groundStick with a shape of letter Y on the drivewayNotches on a stump in a shape of letter XThe shadow from the traffic sign form the letter ELetter B from the plantLetter H from the stick and the shadowLetter K from the sticks on the groundA shadow from the sign in a shape of letter Y
Do you see the letters?

Now, I create calligraphy with hidden messages—quiet puzzles that invite you to pause, look closer, and feel your way through. The letters don’t always reveal themselves right away. Some people spot the message instantly. Others linger, tilt their heads, trace the lines with their eyes, and ask, “What does it say?” And when they finally see it—really see it—there’s this moment: a breath, a smile, a spark of surprise. The little “Aha.”

But it’s not only about reading the words. It’s about the space you step into while trying. It’s about slowing down, becoming present, and noticing how it feels to let your attention soften and stretch. That’s where the real meaning lives.

Sometimes, I even hide something personal—something quiet, meant for the few who look closely enough to find it.

That’s the power of art as a puzzle: a gentle invitation to stay with something long enough to discover it. And in that discovery, remember—you’re still here.


I created a freebie calligraphy art for you, so you can use it as a mini ritual: an anchor points in your day. A quiet space to slow down, search for the words, and feel the present moment again.
Let it be your reminder that you’re still here—still creating, still becoming.
👉 Download here 👈 and let a single line bring you back to yourself.  

Thoughts? Feel free to reach me out hi@marypavlova.com. 
Can’t wait to chat with you!

No noise. Just truth, art, and connection.

I’ll be sending you thoughtful notes — quiet reflections, honest questions, and creative fuel to help you stay rooted in what really matters. If you're craving something real, this is it.
Join me?

May Pavlova with Improvisation I and smiling to you

About artist

I'M MARY PAVLOVA

I’m a calligraphy and lettering artist, a bit obsessed with hidden meanings, and totally in love with visual storytelling. I turn words into art, letters into emotion, and spaces into stories—blending bold strokes with delicate details.

I believe art should make you feel—and sometimes, that means simply reminding you to stop, breathe, and notice.

My passion? Helping people surround themselves with art that feels personal, meaningful, and beautifully imperfect.