Brushstrokes of Belonging - A Misfit's Guide by Kat

As I was growing up, I always felt somewhat... different. Not different in a "life of the party" sense, but different in a "doesn't quite fit the mold" way. While other kids were mastering the social skills of elementary school, I was likely off in the corner with my imaginary friend, creating new worlds. I wasn't always the quiet one, but I was certainly awkward and somewhat shy. Living in a family that moved every year or two made it even harder to make and keep friends. High school wasn't much different. Cliques and expectations seemed like a foreign language I couldn't quite understand. I tried, of course, to blend in, to laugh at the right moments, to smile at strangers.

I left home at just 16 years old. My notebook became my closest companion as I penned short stories and poetry to escape and express my feelings about the vast world, I found myself alone in. Within those pages, I had a blank canvas to create my own adventures—free from judgment and rules—a private place for my hopes, dreams, and secrets. It provided safety and, most importantly, kept me moving forward. Regardless of the circumstances, I could always find an escape through my writing. After graduating, I wandered for a time, searching for a place where I belonged and friends who would embrace my uniqueness.

By chance one day, I met a kindred spirit—an artist named Marc who also felt out of place. Our meeting changed something within us. We realized that our "misfitness" wasn't a flaw; it was a superpower. It was the lens through which we viewed the world, the source of our unique perspective. We discovered that we shared the ability to see beauty in the unconventional, to communicate in colors and textures. Not only could we share our wildest ideas, but we could also bring them to life. Marc's talent combined with my imagination led to art that even surprised us.

We then started sharing our ideas and creations with the world. Marc painted realistic images of our adventures using photos he captured along the journey. I named them and proposed ways to make them more enjoyable. We began collaborating on furniture and soon discovered that our skills complemented each other well in this field. I'll never forget the puzzled look Marc gave me when I suggested painting a dresser in plaid—but to my delight, he did it. That, along with the sale of several pieces, convinced us that we had found our calling in the art world. We began to immerse ourselves more deeply in the creative atmosphere we discovered.

Our plaid dresser - refurbished by Marc and Kathy Pletcher - photo by Marc Pletcher

The community swiftly became a refuge. It was a place where we learned, grew, and finally felt we could truly be ourselves. It showed us that sometimes, the greatest strength comes from being different, from carving your own path, and from finding the courage to share your unique vision with the world.

And that, my friends, is the essence of Pletcher's on Monroe. We imagined a place where everyone, especially those who have always felt a bit out of sync, can discover their creative footing. A place where "misfits" like us can connect, collaborate, and create without judgment. Pletcher's will be more than just a gallery or a studio; it will be a sanctuary. It will be a lively center for workshops, open studio nights, spontaneous jam sessions, and quiet corners for reflection. A place where the aroma of coffee blends with the scent of possibility, and every brushstroke, every sculpted form, every whispered idea finds its rightful place.

If you've ever felt like an outsider, if your soul resonates with an unspoken melody, if you've been searching for a place where your unique light can truly shine—then Pletcher's on Monroe is for you. It is a testament to the power of art to unite, to heal, to give each of us a place to belong and share our stories.

Come join us. Let's create beautiful things together.