We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariette Pan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariette below.
Mariette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my book, “Gratitude Rocks: Manifesting Passion, Purpose, & Prosperity… One Heart at a Time,” a 21-day journal that weaves together my lifelong passion for art, photography, and the practice of gratitude to inspire others. The journey to creating this journal began years ago when I first watched *The Secret* and was introduced to the concept of the law of attraction—the idea that we can manifest our desires by believing in them and focusing on them positively.
In that documentary, Lee Brower shared the simple yet profound practice of *Gratitude Rocks.* He told the story of picking up a small rock from a river near his home, placing it in his pocket, and each time he touched it, he would pause to express gratitude for something in his life. This idea resonated deeply with me. I knew immediately that I wanted to focus on heart-shaped rocks as my own gratitude rocks—symbols of love, hope, joy, and appreciation.
Not long after, I set the intention to find some heart-shaped rocks to share with others, and in a beautiful moment of synchronicity, I manifested them at a gem faire for just a dollar each. That experience sparked a lifelong practice that would shape my creative and spiritual journey—seeing hearts in everyday life, collecting them, photographing and sharing them, and using them as reminders to shift my mindset toward gratitude, presence, and infinite possibility.
Over time, this became more than just a fun habit—it became a way of seeing the world differently. I started noticing hearts everywhere: in clouds, plants, shadows, animal fur, and even in unexpected places like dried earthworms and animal scat (which led to an entire hiking meetup unexpectedly focusing on spotting heart-shaped scat!). Each discovery felt like a little message from the universe, a gentle nudge to stay present, embrace wonder, and shift out of judgment into curiosity and gratitude.
One of the most powerful moments of this practice came during a deeply emotional experience with my brother. After receiving harsh criticism that left me in tears, I walked out the door feeling heartbroken and judged. But as I walked, the world seemed to respond—heart shapes appeared all around me, lifting my spirits and bringing me back to joy and gratitude. I lost track of time, completely immersed in this experience of divine reassurance. Over two hours later, my brother had to text me, as it was time for dinner. That moment reaffirmed the power of gratitude to transform even the most painful experiences into something beautiful.
“Gratitude Rocks: Manifesting Passion, Purpose, & Prosperity… One Heart at a Time” is a collection of over 40 of my most precious and surprising heart photographs—none of them staged or professionally taken—capturing the raw and unexpected beauty of these symbols. Paired with a simple but powerful gratitude practice, this journal empowers others to manifest passion, purpose, and prosperity in their own lives.
This project is deeply meaningful to me because it embodies everything I believe in as an artist and gratitude advocate. It’s a reminder that creativity, mindfulness, and intention can transform the way we experience life—and that beauty and abundance are always there, waiting to be seen, if we choose to look for them.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up as a quiet, oddball Chinese American in the deep South, where blending in was a survival skill. When I was three, a trip to Taiwan to visit my grandfather changed everything—I came back fluent in Mandarin but completely forgetting English. I had to re-learn my first language, which is why I joke that English is actually my first and third language!
Shyness defined my early years. In high school, I joined a martial arts class, and for six months, no one even knew I spoke English! But that class changed my life. I earned a second-degree black belt, became a world champion, and most importantly, found my confidence and my voice. Before then, my world was filled with painting, drawing, and books—but martial arts sparked a passion for Asian culture that would later fuel my first major creative venture: The Jade Dragon, a newspaper on Asian culture that I launched at 21. That project taught me everything—graphic design, ad sales, writing, publishing, and how to create opportunities when none exist.
That entrepreneurial spirit led me into a career in marketing communications—editing, website design, publishing newsletters, and project management—until I left the corporate world at 40 to follow my true passion: helping people manifest joy, abundance, and gratitude. I dove into the healing arts, learned Reiki, Healing Touch, and crystal work, and self-published two books:
✨ Gratitude Rocks: Manifesting Passion, Purpose & Prosperity… One Heart at a Time – a 21-day journal blending gratitude with heart-shaped discoveries to shift mindset and manifest abundance.
✨ Color Me Powerful Animal Collection – a creative journey through art, color, and life lessons to help people reclaim their passion and purpose.
Art remains a central part of my life. I love painting—both watercolors and rocks! I often leave my hand-painted rocks out in the world as little surprises of hope and joy for those who find them. I also create high-vibrational jewelry, coach people on joy and relationships, and run a website dedicated to gratitude.
Most recently, I married Joe Kane, an amazing indie musician, and I’m now helping him market his music and share his incredible talent with the world. (You can check out his music here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfj3uVCesWnB9QTuuE4gZCw/videos
What sets me apart? My ability to see joy and possibilities everywhere—even in the most unexpected places. I believe life is filled with magic, synchronicities, and endless opportunities for abundance. My passion is helping others discover and embrace that magic for themselves.
I live in Southern California, where I continue to create, teach, and inspire, one heart at a time.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the magic of transformation—the way creativity can shift perspectives, uplift spirits, and open people (including myself) to infinite possibilities. Whether it’s through my books, paintings, gratitude practice, or even helping my husband, Joe Kane, market his music, I love that creativity allows me to bring more joy, connection, and abundance into the world.
Art and creativity are more than just self-expression; they are tools for healing and empowerment. I’ve experienced firsthand how a simple mindset shift—from fear to gratitude, from judgment to curiosity—can completely transform a situation. Whether it’s finding heart shapes in unexpected places, painting rocks and leaving them for strangers to discover, or coaching someone through a joy breakthrough, the reward is always the same: seeing how small creative acts can ripple outward and touch lives in profound ways.
I also love the unexpected surprises that come with being a creative. The way ideas show up out of nowhere, how a brushstroke can turn into something more beautiful than planned, or how a song, a piece of art, or a book can find its way to the exact person who needs it at the perfect time. That sense of synchronicity reminds me that creativity isn’t just something I do—it’s a way of living, seeing, and experiencing the world.
At the end of the day, the greatest reward is knowing that my creativity makes a difference—whether it’s inspiring someone to see the world with fresh eyes, helping them manifest a life filled with passion and purpose, or simply bringing a little more joy into their day. That, to me, is the true power of being an artist.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of my greatest lessons in resilience came while training for a world karate tournament. At just 4’10”, I knew I had to work twice as hard, honing my footwork and defensive skills. I trained relentlessly—not just with my Tang Soo Do class, but also in Wing Chun and kickboxing—pushing myself beyond my limits.
A week before the tournament, one of my instructors had us perform our forms for a final critique. After watching mine, he bluntly told me it was horrible and suggested I choose a different one. But my focus had been on sparring, not forms, and something in me refused to back down. I trusted myself and stuck with my routine, despite his lack of faith.
Tournament day arrived, and sparring was brutal—I was quickly eliminated by much taller opponents. Frustrated but determined, I moved on to the open-handed form competition. This time, I had no expectations, no pressure. I simply stepped onto the mat, let go of expectations, and performed.
To everyone’s surprise—including my own—I won first place! Spectators said it was the best they’d ever seen me move. Meanwhile, the other woman from my school, assuming she’d win easily, had to battle for second place. My instructor, who had written off my form just a week before, suddenly loved that I had won so decisively.
This experience reinforced a truth I’ve seen play out over and over: when I get out of my head and fully step into the moment, I am unstoppable. Whether in golf, bowling, dating, or life, success often comes when I stop overthinking and trust my instincts.
Sparring, however, was a different story—I never quite mastered getting out of my own head there. And that’s a lesson I continue to learn. But if resilience has taught me anything, it’s that our minds can be our greatest obstacle—or our greatest strength. The key is learning when to let go and trust in our own power.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gratituderocks.org/
- Instagram: heartandsoulcolors
- Facebook: gratituderocks
- Linkedin: mpan88
- Youtube: gratituderocksnow
- Soundcloud: user-646323458
- Other: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/mariette-pan
Image Credits
Joe Kane