Living alone definitely has its moments. In fact, it can be downright awesome.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/599401db2200002d001a6314.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
And Yaoyao Ma Van As, a 34-year-old painter and illustrator in Los Angeles, has captured the intimate beauty of those instances in a series of gorgeous drawings.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/599402021400001f002c2fa7.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Ma Van As, who is now married and has done background art for shows like ‘Rick and Morty’ and ‘BoJack Horseman’, drew the powerful pieces for a pretty appropriate reason.
She wanted to do something just for herself.
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“Despite working in the industry, I barely had time to draw for myself,” she told HuffPost.
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“Before I knew it, I started drawing experiences from my life because it was just so easy for me to portray.”
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The drawings focus on her life before she was married, when she lived alone with her little dog Parker, who is featured in many of her drawings.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5994029515000064908b6d5d.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
“Living alone isn’t as scary as it seems!” she said. “Yes, there were definitely times that it sucked, but there were also countless amazing moments as well.”
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“It’s knowing that you’re on your own, and each decision you make is directly affecting how you move forward with your life,” she said.
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“Each day you learn to be more independent than the day before,” she told HuffPost. “It’s definitely an experience that should be embraced.”
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Ma Van As’ art focuses on her favourite aspects of being on her own.
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“My favourite part [of living alone] was playing music and letting it echo through the apartment.”
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“Sometimes I’d take a bath, or draw, and get completely lost in the moment of just being by myself.”
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5994035622000009371a631a.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Most importantly, Ma Van As hopes that her drawings communicate that living on your own isn’t all that scary.
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5994037515000064908b6d64.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
In fact, it’s kind of magical.
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“Alone does not mean lonely! Sometimes you can be surrounded by hundreds of people but still feel totally isolated,” she told HuffPost.
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“It’s healthy to be around others, but it’s also healthy to be comfortable enough to spend time by yourself.”
![](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/599403f415000021008b6d66.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)