Heal your inner child: A mantra designed around guilt-free play. But for artist Dori Desautel Broudy, the phrase means pouring youthful glee into her illustrations as the founder of the Gallery of Good. The Philadelphian-based former lawyer reengaged in her childhood love for storytelling and drawing after entering motherhood. Seeing how art instilled joy and confidence in her three children, she set out on a mission to cultivate creativity beyond her home.

Broudy champions the importance of social responsibility, donating a portion of all gallery purchases’ net proceeds to charity. But Broudy is even creative in how she gives back to her community: her most recent project was a purpose-driven NFT collection to support victims of the crisis in Ukraine. What began as indulging in her inner child grew into a pursuit of play for all who peer into Broudy’s portfolio.

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

What is the first creative project you remember?

I used to illustrate our family’s holiday card each year. Images of Santa Claus leaving presents under the tree and stockings hung from the mantle were examples of works from my earlier youth, but I continued with such projects during adulthood while practicing law as well.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Celebratory, thoughtful, vibrant.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

One of the projects I am most proud of is creating artwork for and curating the new Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity in Philadelphia. In addition to my own works, there are pieces by more than a dozen artists of diverse backgrounds whose pieces create an environment celebrating the community being served by the Health Equity Center; the principles underlying the mission of the Black Doctors Consortium (hope, equity, empathy, for example); and, of course, the City of Brotherly Love.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

At present, I am more aware than ever of my responsibilities as an advocate and effective communicator—not only because of my roles as a mother, coach, and lawyer, for example—but as an artist and creator, who expresses values of equality, respect and individual liberty organically through my work.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with, or something you’re taught?

It is undoubtedly both. Each of us has a level of innovativeness and curiosity which is creative in nature (and hardly limited to the art world). Being taught how to harness one’s creative energy into a productive, fulfilling and thriving enterprise is particularly helpful and important, as is the ongoing support of loved ones.

What’s the last dream you had?

I was waiting to pick my children up from school and Broadway music sensation Sutton Foster was doing the same. We engaged in a chat about how difficult it is to raise children in the days of social media and technological advancements. Next thing you know, Lin Manuel Miranda pulls his car up to school and gives us a wave.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

I’m so glad that I “found Dori.” Her work is beautiful for what it represents, how it makes people feel, and who/what it positively impacts, as it is to look at.

Follow @dori on Creatively.

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