Rooted between New York and Los Angeles, Hero Bean Stevenson moves at the intersection of visual and therapeutic arts, where creativity becomes a vehicle for transformation. Her work is guided by an intuitive understanding of the subtle layers that shape our inner and outer worlds—inviting a deeper connection to self through form, feeling, and presence. In Hero’s practice, art is not separate from healing, but a living, evolving expression of it.

In this conversation, we explore Hero’s approach to weaving art and therapy, her personal rituals, and the ways she stays connected to her creative and emotional landscape. From daily practices to deeper reflections on healing, she shares how she cultivates awareness, balance, and inspiration—offering a glimpse into a practice that is as much about listening as it is about creating.

Daily Practice & Rituals

What daily practices are essential to you?

I’ve kept a journal almost every day since I was 11, and writing letters is also a weekly practice. There are so many things that I love about it — I love writing and drawing as a form of meditation, I love collecting beautiful pens, journals, and stationery… but most of all, I love creating and keeping physical records of my experiences and connections. That’s what has always primarily driven my photography practice as well — creating records of life, records of love. Maybe I’m overly sentimental, but to me it all feels too beautiful to let pass unarchived.

How does this practice make you feel balanced and energized?

I feel that what I write about, whether it’s a memory, a list of inspirations, songs, sensory experiences, or dreams, strengthens my awareness and hones my curiosity and gratitude. It gives me an outlet for cherishing the past, grounding in the present, and dreaming about the future. • Do you have a mantra or intention you return to when you need clarity or calm? I’ve always carried with me Ram Dass’ perfect line, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

Connection

When/Where do you feel most content and connected to yourself?

I feel most content and connected to myself when I’m with the people I love, when I’m around horses, when I run, and when I’m engaged in creating something that I am truly excited about.

How important is nutrition in caring for your body, mind, and spirit?

Physical, spiritual, and mental health are tremendous gifts that cannot be taken for granted — and proper nutrition is the foundation for living in that awareness.

Neo x Hero

What drew you to Neo and the collaboration with our founder, Fee?

Beautiful female energy!

If you could describe your overall experience with Neo in one sentence for others, what would it be?

It feels alchemical, exciting, and luxurious — like going above and beyond for the whole body.

Life & Meaning

You are an artist in many ways, nature, horses, faces, different materials, and timeless design play a role… In your day-to-day life, how do you translate that philosophy into small practices—whether in your home, your body rituals, or creative process?

For as long as I can remember, every aspect of living life has felt like some form of practice, which I am profoundly grateful for. It feels important to acknowledge the gift of being able to spend time focusing on beauty and intention in this way… to look for god in all things. That being said, creating a world and life representative of that perspective is such a joy. I love creating resonant energy — whether it’s in the form of a room, a collection of objects, a letter, a photograph, a curated experience, or a conversation. I %nd my greatest sense of purpose when what I create carries an energy that makes me and others feel alive and at home in a heartfelt way.

In your photography and design work, you often capture timeless beauty and connection with nature and horses. How has that sensitivity to the natural world influenced your choices?

I grew up with horses — not only riding, but spending hours at the barn taking care of them and just being with them. I actually always enjoyed the latter almost more profoundly — I derived a magical sense of wonder, comfort, and connectivity simply from their scent and energy. So much of the way that I love, trust, observe, and connect with the world — nature and people alike — was informed and developed by the horses in my life. Horses are extremely sensitive creatures, and earning their trust requires immense patience, awareness, and kindness — I try to make choices in all aspects of my life with these tenets in mind.

In the way you choose foods, your movement, and how you treat your body as a creative instrument?

At one point in my life, I was struggling with taking proper care of my body, and my father said something to me that completely refocused my perspective. He asked me if I could imagine neglecting my horses in the way that I was neglecting myself. Obviously, I couldn’t, and it led me to think about why I was treating my own body and mind as something so separate and inexhaustible. A similar mental exercise is helpful when it comes to negative self-talk as well — so many of the criticisms we direct inward we’d never say to another person. Devotion to self-care, to treating myself with the same love and reverence as I would an animal or a person I adore, has been deeply transformative.

 What message do you hope people take away from your work and way of living?

Look for heart, intention, and connection wherever it may live. I’d also like to leave this here:

IT IS A SERIOUS THING

BELIEVE US THEY SAY,

IT IS A SERIOUS THING

JUST TO BE ALIVE

ON THIS FRESH MORNING

IN THE BROKEN WORLD

—Mary Oliver, Invitation

How do you define beauty, and what practices help you reconnect to it from within?

Beauty reveals itself when the mind is quiet and the heart is open.

Lastly, what does transformation mean/look like to you?

Transformation is what happens when we let ourselves be.