To Be A Would Be Designer

As exciting as moving out into another country to study art might sound, it's A LOT of work. Not only am I trying to pack and do all the annoying paper work but also I got "pre-homework" to do for my course at uni. As a part of our summer project we got to read manifestos and statements by designers. Through reading it, I was inspired to make up my own, taking bits and pieces from other quotes and statements and throwing in my own jazz as well :) Enough rambling on, this is the outcome.

To Stage Oneself

These shots happened randomly during a fun weekend at a festival. Self portraits are a strange thing. They try to capture the perception that we got of ourselves... So the way we present ourselves mostly reveals the way we view ourselves - if it is an accurate view can only be found out by knowing the person. So I wonder if we know ourselves as well as we assume. It seems that self portraits easily become more of an evaluation of our perception or beliefs about ourselves rather than our true identity. A princess clothed in rags does not lose her identity but she does not quite live accordingly to her identity. So the question is: Do we know who we really are? Or did we lose ourselves somewhere along the way? I find that that happens fairly often to me. But the great thing about it is that being lost implies the opportunity to be found again - story of my life. To be lost does not have to become my identity, but I need to cease hiding.

 I found that making up my own identity doesn't quite work, it cannot stand the pressures from all the stuff going on round me. Pretty much everyone I met seeks for identity outside himself, so there must be something to it. Some people look for it in the realms of beauty or success, some people try to find it in persons and relationships, some in pets and others in talents or lofty ideas, this list can be continued as long as you fancy. So where lies my identity? To be really honest, if Jesus Christ would not be my identity, if His definition of me would not have started to become my identity I'd be screwed. I know what it means to be a mess - as does almost everybody else. We don't have it all together and on our own we never will.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Live The Language

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Just another treat I found on Vimeo - Absolutely love the way Paris is captured in images and fonts. These hues are inviting to dream oneself of a new adventure. Make sure you check out the other cities as well on Vimeo

To Travel Far....

... travel together. I just discovered this project in the early morning and I really felt like I should share it because it put a smile on my face - so it might on yours as well. Miles Of Road Project

To travel the world, being on a big adventure finding beauty in all sorts of places and be inspired to form new ideas and dreams.... sounds so good to me.

“Not till we are lost [...] do we begin to find ourselves.” - Thoreau

To Be Artsy At Work

I have been blessed with a summer job which allows me to at least contribute a bit to my art school adventure. Blessings sometimes come in disguise. I would lie if I would tell you that I love this job. Being a cashier at a big grocery store makes you feel rather like a robot than anything else. It has been a great place to learn about life and relationships and certainly grew mine with God in very special ways. But anyways, since the families are all on vacation now, the stores are not as busy as usual, which allowed me to get creative with the receipts that customers don't want to take home. So I hope you enjoy my little recycling art works, I certainly did enjoy making them. If you got a dull situation, flavour it with your passion, your finger print, it creates beautiful things.

Made To Sail

 

A ship in harbor is safe—but that is not what ships were built for.

 

As I am heading off to a new adventure in a few weeks time, it definitely feels like getting my little and still rather inexperienced sailboat tossing myself into a yet unknown ocean, where there are sea creatures to be fought, storms to be faced, waves to be resisted and maybe even some Sirens wailing to be ignored. Someone told me once to take everything that I encounter as an exciting adventure where I can experience God's goodness and grace in completely new ways. When I think of the fact that I won't be on my own, that I will have a Veteran on board, an experienced Captain who will take over control every time I lose it (which will be most of the time) and that I know the One who is able to calm the seas and storms if necessary, it truly gets exciting. Where else will we find the wind of freedom blowing through our hair, the fresh breath of life wafting around us, the beauty of a star lit night and glorious dawn in its purest form whispering to us the secrets and mysteries of life and beyond?

The humans live in time, and experience reality successively. To experience much of it, therefore, they must experience many different things; in other words, they must experience change. - The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

What is your adventure? Get the sails ready, clean the decks, it's time to jump into the rest of your life.

Into Whimsical Woods

 I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed our little adventure in the woods.

Cardboard Arcade

Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

What an inspiring story! Limiting our imagination is considered as adult, but I wonder if we are not missing out on something if we lose our ability to dream big and to find creative ways to achieve them.

Sound of Silence

 

Sometimes silence got more to say than sound. 

Taken by myself around Capernwray Hall, England

Love costs Everything

"Love Costs Everything" Trailer from CIY Move on Vimeo.

Well, this time something less enjoyable but all the more inspiring and beautiful. May we be reminded of the immense worth that we have found in our relationship with God and may we be encouraged to be bold and passionate in our faith. It may be costly but more than worth it. I pray that we won't forget our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer incredibly for their faith and that we will be praying with them for transformation through the gospel in their countries. And in ours.

And people say to me: "Why are you not scared?" and I say: "Because perfect love casts out all fear."

An appropriate frame

If you try to exhibit art at a gallery, you will soon find how important it is to have an appropriate frame or way of presentation. A bulky frame could destroy the beauty of an intricate piece of art and a thin frame might weaken a strongly expressive one, as it might look rather ridiculous. The frame has a great impact on the art work when exhibited. A good frame should not distract but rather enhance the art work.
It is always a good reminder that we are only the frame for God's awesome work in and through our lives let alone His glorious character. But since we are, doesn't an amazing painting deserve the best frame possible? A frame worthy of the painting yet humble enough to underline the master piece instead of trying to compete with it. As it says in Philippians 1:27 we should conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Anyways I think it is great to know that we are not the master piece but still can contribute to its presentation :) May we become the best frame possible. May we become the best version of ourselves by God's grace.

The Sea In Between

Josh Garrels: The Sea In Between - Trailer from Mason Jar Music on Vimeo.

Found this beautiful and inspiring video today, makes my heart smile!

"You can wield your profession, your craft in a way that hurts people because you are so good. And so if someone can present it in a way that is inviting people into their joy that's when the most beautiful things are formed." - Josh Garrels

Deliver me

This beautiful prayer really moves me again and again. And it challenges me every time. Are we really as devoted to advancing the kingdom of God as we say we are? Are we ready to become the least and serve him out of our cozy comfort zone of appreciation and validation by other people? Do we desire to love as boldy and recklessly as Jesus demonstrated? Are we really ready to share his love where there is pain and brokenness? Do we really desire to share God's love with people who hurt us or annoy us? Jesus, grant us the grace to desire it and the strength to do so. I am certain God will bring great beauty out of it if we let Him.

P.S. You can download this as a wall paper :)

Another Smile

I love water  colour... It is a image emerging out of different layers, capturing reality without losing the infinity of it as it flows out into open space. And it makes me happy. :)