The Season of the Heart
February 18, 2026
Written by Edwin Gil
Encuentra la versión en español al final de esta página.
Listening to the Seasons
This week, many things have happened at once.
The beginning of the Chinese New Year — the Year of the Horse.
Movement. Energy. Acceleration.
Family events unfolding.
A beautiful and meaningful interview about my new series The Heart by Soraida Diaz for Vozes Magazine (you can read it online here ).
And the daily confrontation with personal goals, artistic commitments, and the projections I hold for 2026.
There is movement everywhere.
But beneath the movement, there is something deeper.
Reflection.
I don’t know if you have felt it too, but this 2026 has already carried a noticeable weight around health. So many people around me — friends, family, colleagues — are walking through some kind of medical challenge, or caring for someone who is.
It feels like many hearts are being tested at once.
And that feeling took me back in time.
The Gallery, Mr. Thompson, and the Seasons of Life
Years ago, when I worked at Coffey and Thompson Gallery — the first gallery in Charlotte — I was in my late twenties.
I spent nearly sixteen years between Coffey & Thompson and Gil Gallery. Those walls held a large part of my life, my growth, my formation as an artist and as a human being.
The gallery had originally been located behind what is now Bank of America on College and 5th Street. Later it moved to 4th Street and Independence, what is now Charlottetowne Avenue. The city changed. Buildings rose. History shifted.
And so did life.
I remember telling Mr. Thompson, my boss — then in his 80s — something with the innocence of youth:
“Mr. Thompson, why do you have a funeral every week? What is happening?”
I truly didn’t understand.
And he answered me with words I have never forgotten:
“Edwin, life is like the seasons. I have lived through graduations, weddings, baptisms, grandchildren… and now I am in the season where I say goodbye to friends and loved ones. That is why you must enjoy every season — because you never know which one will be your last.”
At 28, I heard him.
At 54, I understand him.
The Heart and Its Seasons
My new series, The Heart, is not only about emotion.
It is about endurance.
The heart is not fragile — even when it feels broken.
It is rhythmic.
Persistent.
Faithful to its work.
It beats in joy.
It beats in grief.
It beats in uncertainty.
It beats when we feel strong.
It beats when we feel tired.
The heart does not stop just because the season changes.
It adapts.
And perhaps that is what I am learning in this stage of my life.
There are seasons of expansion.
Seasons of building.
Seasons of recognition.
Seasons of illness.
Seasons of loss.
Seasons of transformation.
None of them are permanent.
When we are in a difficult season, we tend to believe it defines everything. But it does not.
It is only a season.
The Year of the Horse
The Year of the Horse symbolizes movement, courage, stamina, and freedom.
I find it beautiful that this year begins with that energy — because to move forward requires heart.
To build new projects requires heart.
To pursue artistic vision requires heart.
To face uncertainty requires heart.
To love deeply requires heart.
And when I look around at the health challenges affecting so many people, I am reminded that our time in each season is sacred.
We are not promised permanence.
We are only given presence.
Living This Season With Intention
Now at 54, I carry Mr. Thompson’s words with tenderness.
There are seasons we celebrate.
There are seasons we endure.
There are seasons we do not understand.
And there are seasons that shape us in silence.
The important thing is not to resist the season.
The important thing is to live it intentionally.
If this is a season of growth — grow fully.
If this is a season of work — build with discipline.
If this is a season of uncertainty — trust deeply.
If this is a season of love — love without fear.
And if this is a season of goodbye — say it with gratitude.
Because while we are alive, the heart is still beating.
And as long as it beats, there is purpose.
A Message From My Heart to Yours
If you are walking through a difficult season right now — remember:
It is a season.
Not your entire story.
The heart inside you knows how to endure.
It knows how to transform.
It knows how to keep beating through change.
Thank you for continuing to read this blog.
Thank you for your messages, your notes, your reflections.
They inspire me every week to continue this journey —
to live my season fully,
and to keep creating from the heart.
In Loving Memory of Paul Thompson
This reflection is also in loving memory of Paul Thompson —
a mentor, a father figure, and a dear friend.
I will always carry him in my heart for the opportunity he gave me,
for believing in my talent when I was still discovering it myself,
and for sharing with me his vision of life and art.
His words about the seasons continue to guide me.
His wisdom continues to echo in my work.
And in many ways, The Heart Series carries a part of his legacy.
With gratitude and honor.
Edwin Gil
La Estación del Corazón
18 de Febrero, 2026
Escrito por Edwin Gil
Escuchando las Estaciones
Esta semana han pasado muchas cosas al mismo tiempo.
El inicio del Año Nuevo Chino — el Año del Caballo.
Movimiento. Energía. Impulso.
Eventos familiares.
Una hermosa entrevista sobre mi nueva serie El Corazón realizada por Soraida Díaz para Vozes Magazine. (Lee la entrevista aca)
Y la confrontación diaria con metas personales, trabajo artístico y las proyecciones para este 2026.
Hay movimiento por todas partes.
Pero debajo del movimiento, hay algo más profundo:
Reflexión.
No sé si a ustedes también les ha pasado, pero este 2026 ha comenzado con muchos desafíos de salud alrededor mío. Muchas personas que conozco tienen un ser querido enfrentando alguna dificultad médica.
Es como si muchos corazones estuvieran siendo probados al mismo tiempo.
Y eso me llevó a recordar una conversación que marcó mi vida.
Las Estaciones de la Vida
Cuando trabajaba en Coffey & Thompson Gallery — la primera galería en Charlotte — estaba en mis veintes.
Un día le dije a Mr. Thompson, con la ingenuidad de mi juventud:
“Mr. Thompson, cada semana tienes un velorio, ¿qué está pasando?”
Y él me respondió algo que nunca olvidé:
“Edwin, la vida es como las estaciones. He pasado por graduaciones, bodas, bautizos, nietos… y ahora estoy en la estación donde me despido de amigos y seres queridos. Por eso hay que disfrutar cada estación, porque nunca sabes cuál será la última.”
A los 28 lo escuché.
A los 54 lo entiendo.
El Corazón y Sus Estaciones
Mi serie El Corazón no habla solo de emoción.
Habla de resistencia.
El corazón no es frágil aunque a veces se sienta roto.
Es constante.
Es rítmico.
Es fiel a su propósito.
Late en la alegría.
Late en el duelo.
Late en la incertidumbre.
Late cuando estamos fuertes.
Late cuando estamos cansados.
El corazón no deja de latir porque cambie la estación.
Se adapta.
Y quizás eso es lo que estoy aprendiendo en esta etapa de mi vida.
Hay estaciones de expansión.
De construcción.
De reconocimiento.
De enfermedad.
De pérdida.
De transformación.
Ninguna es permanente.
Ante lo que vivimos hoy, recordemos que solo es una estación.
Y mientras estemos vivos, vivamos con intensidad e intención la estación que estamos viviendo.
De Mi Corazón al Tuyo
Si hoy estás atravesando una temporada difícil, recuerda:
Es una estación.
No es toda tu historia.
Mientras el corazón siga latiendo, hay propósito.
Gracias por seguir leyendo este blog.
Gracias por compartirlo.
Sus mensajes me inspiran cada semana a continuar este journey,
a vivir mi season,
y a crear desde el corazón.
En memoria de Paul Thompson
Esta reflexión también es en memoria de Paul Thompson —
mentor, figura paterna y gran amigo.
Siempre lo llevaré en mi corazón por la oportunidad que me brindó,
por creer en mí cuando yo apenas comenzaba a descubrirme,
y por compartir conmigo su proyección de la vida y del arte.
Sus palabras sobre las estaciones siguen guiando mi camino.
Su sabiduría vive en mi trabajo.
Y de alguna manera, La Serie El Corazón también honra su legado.
Con gratitud y honor.
Edwin Gil