Heart House finds its origins in the discovery of my past heart condition, Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome, when I was seventeen. At the time, it was something I had never heard of, and its diagnosis came as a complete shock.

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is a rare congenital heart condition caused by an extra electrical pathway in the heart. This can lead to episodes of rapid heartbeat (supraventricular tachycardia), where the heart suddenly beats much faster than normal. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting. Some people experience little to no symptoms, while for others, it can significantly affect daily life.

At the time, I was deeply involved in track and field, and I began experiencing heavy, rapid heartbeats, light-headedness, and episodes of severe tachycardia that could last for hours. Being seventeen, I was hesitant to speak up, brushing it off as “not a big deal.” Looking back, the culture surrounding competitive sports and the “don’t complain” mentality I was exposed to in Lebanon played a part in my silence.

As the symptoms returned more frequently and with greater intensity, I eventually spoke out and went to see a cardiologist. After undergoing heart screenings, a stress test, and an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), I finally had an answer. The diagnosis explained everything I had been experiencing.

Because my symptoms were progressively affecting my daily life, I was advised to undergo catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that targets and eliminates the extra electrical pathway responsible for the abnormal heart rhythm. For many people, including myself, this procedure is considered a permanent cure.

I choose to share this part of my story to help spread awareness of WPW, a condition I had never heard of before my diagnosis, and one many people may not recognise. One of my biggest takeaways from this experience was learning the importance of speaking up, no matter how small a concern may seem.

This experience became the foundation of Heart House. It has led me to finding art as an outlet for creative expression and self-discovery. While my work has evolved over time, this chapter remains an important part of my story and the reason behind my journey with art.

I’ve always had a creative mind, but I never really called myself an artist; that changed after my experience with WPW. Art became a personal outlet for my emotions and creativity.

I started exploring art by making a drawing of the human heart every day, and over time, I realised my art would spark conversations about my heart condition and help raise awareness of WPW. Since then, my art became a way to tell my story and, more importantly, a space for me to express myself.

It all started From the Heart.

I saw the value of using art and design as tools for storytelling, a way to reflect my personal journey while shedding light on important topics and connecting with others.

In 2022, I launched my Instagram page, @HeartHouseMedia, to document this journey. Since then, I’ve explored sketching, digital illustration, visual installations, creative collaborations, airbrushing, and, more recently, oil pastels, gradually expanding my artistic practice and finding my style.

Every piece I create carries a part of me, whether it's inspired by personal experiences, fleeting thoughts, or events happening around me. Heart House isn’t just about selling prints or stickers; it’s about offering a piece of a shared experience.

Through this shop, I want to create more than just products. I want to build a community, a space where art lovers, creatives, and alternative crowds can come together. Whether it’s a print that speaks to you or a sticker that you find cool, I hope that Heart House becomes a part of your story, just as it has been a part of mine.

With time, I hope to collaborate with more artists and expand my creative skill sets. I also plan on launching my clothing designs in the near future, so make sure to keep in the loop!

Thank you for being here, for supporting small businesses and independent art, and for allowing Heart House to be a small part of your space.

From The Heart, Mikey