The Art of Authenticity in The Digital Age. Gretchen Andrew with Savannah Rose Johnson

Gretchen Andrew
Oct 7
2 min read

Being Seen for Who We Are: A Conversation on Beauty, Authenticity, and Healing

I recently had the opportunity to join Savannah Rose Johnson on her Eclipse Evolution podcast for a deep and heartfelt conversation about art, authenticity, and how digital technology shapes our self-perception.

In the episode, we explored what it means to create — and live — authentically in a world increasingly filtered by algorithms and AI. From the pressures of social media to the evolving idea of beauty itself, Savannah and I discussed how the digital tools meant to “perfect” us can also distance us from our true selves.

This conversation resonated deeply with my ongoing project, Facetune Portraits, which brings together art, technology, and community to help people — especially teens and young adults — reconnect with how they see themselves and each other.

The Pressure to Appear Perfect

Digital alteration, AI beauty filters, and constant comparison have made it harder than ever to simply be human online. As we discussed on the podcast, healing is not about fixing ourselves — it’s about seeing ourselves fully, flaws and all. Facetune Portraits was born from that same truth: that art can act as a mirror for compassion, not correction.

Art as Healing

Portraiture has always been about recognition. Historically, it’s been a way of saying “You matter enough to be seen.”Through Facetune Portraits, I invite participants — often teens and young adults — to collaborate on portraits that celebrate individuality, friendship, and shared humanity. The process itself becomes a form of therapy: being seen, not as a version optimized for likes, but as a person with real emotion and story.

As I said in our conversation, “Healing begins the moment we stop trying to edit ourselves into worthiness.”

The Beauty of Real Connection

What I love about Savannah’s work at Eclipse Evolution is how it aligns with my mission: helping people feel safe in their own skin. Her philosophy — “Be Seen For Who You Are” — perfectly captures the heart of what Facetune Portraits stands for.Both of our practices, in different ways, create spaces where authenticity can thrive and where beauty is measured by connection, not conformity.