Saturday 29 August 2015

The Creative Minds: Happy Girls

Beauty, in itself, is a wonderful entity. Yet, most never have the audacity to remind its value in themselves. What is most unfortunate is how people are often inclined to ascribe it to physical appeal instead of what lies beneath. 

I've teamed up once again with the very talented Elsa from Totally Elsa, and we have created a piece with her sketch of a portrait of Audrey Hepburn and my lettering. Audrey Hepburn is indeed a inspiration to many young girls due to her poise and down-to earth demeanor, and Elsa has certainly made a wonderful illustration of her. The detail in her sketch is incredibly intricate and it takes such patience and conviction to produce a very delicate piece like the one she's created.


It was Elsa who had picked out this beautiful quote, and suggested it to lettered. I agreed to it almost immediately because the message that it carried was no doubt genuine and captivating. Of course, it must be noted that this message isn't applicable to just women as well. When people are happy and grateful with their lives, beauty and grace are also reflected in their souls as we inevitably find ourselves enduring adversities with quiet fortitude.

The misrepresentation of 'perfect' physical traits such as waistlines and makeup on television and social media has distorted the once staggering image that beauty possessed before these influences ever existed. While its definition is ostentatiously molded by these pervasive bodies, producing unrealistic expectations, we must take heart that true beauty lies within, and one of the ways we can reflect it is through happiness.

Happiness doesn't necessarily mean to be the less-than-realistic, constantly cheerful character with a plastered smile. Having that kindred-animated spirit, taking stock of our blessings or doing something that induces the warm fuzzies in another can depict happiness as well. Only in keeping this joy, we emerge as beautiful individuals - young and spry regardless of age, for this is also what manifests a meaningful life.

Until next time ♥

Illustration by Elsa from Totally Elsa, Lettering by Dian from The Happy Candle

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The Creative Minds Series is a collaborative collection where a contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together, featuring the original works from contributor about art or any other form of design, including photography, and anything creative. 

+ In view of the busy times ahead, if you'd like more updates and inspirational lettered quotes, you may also find me on Instagram, where some new content that isn't featured on the blog will be posted as well. :)

27 comments

  1. Dian, I love the message you have written about here... beauty really does come from within. Your lettering is spot on and Elsa's drawing is beautiful ♡

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    1. You are honestly one of the most creative and talented people I know! Your work is fabulous!

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    2. You're really talented too, Eve, your photography is amazing! :) Thank you for your kind comment, really appreciate it. :)

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  3. They say a girl's beauty is based on the way she carries herself. If she's happy and content, I can imagine that confident beautiful demeanour. If only it were easy to slip into that state of mind. I'll try.

    -M
    The Life of Little Me

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    1. Hi M, thank you for your comment. Yes, beauty can certainly be reflected in that manner. And it's true, we may have to go through some challenges just to be happy, such as doing things that frighten us or question our endurance. Happiness is precious, it may not be easy to find, but it's certainly worth all the effort we're going to put in until we achieve it. :)

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  4. Sorry about the little delay for the post on my blog, I had some issues with my internet connection. Thanks so much for this collaboration Dian. And I loved reading your thoughts on this quote. You always say such wise things :)

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    1. No worries, Elsa. Thank you so much for this collaboration too, looking forward to working with you again in the future. :) Thank you! :)

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  5. You and Elsa produced such a beautiful piece of work! Such inspiring words too, well done Dian x

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    1. Thank you so much, Sophie! Appreciate your kind comment. :)

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  6. oh my gosh this drawing is so beautiful and the lettering is wonderful and I LOVE THE QUOTE and all the words, and basically everything!

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    1. Thanks, Hawwa! Yes, Elsa's drawing is really great. :) Appreciate your generous comment. :)

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  7. The lettering is lovely same with the quote and the drawing.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Erin. :)

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  8. Found your blog via your comment on my post and your lettering is amazing! Actually, everything about your blog is beautiful – jesus christ I'm in awe. Did I mention that your blog is gorgeous? I'm really sorry I can't focus on commenting right now because I keep scrolling up and down your blog just to take in the design again. This comment is super repetitive, whoops. But man, you just have to get how much I love your blog design. I hope you get it :)

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    1. Really appreciate that you stopped by, Claire! :) Haha, thank you so much for your generous comment. :)

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  9. oh! This is such a beautiful piece of drawing. And by the way, the quote on it is so true and important. Cheers to real beauty! Sincerely,
    Vera

    The Flash Window | Bloglovin

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    1. Yes, cheers to that as well. Thank you for your kind comment, Vera! :)

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  10. Haven't commented in awhile... been visiting and revisiting your blog these days - not to remind myself about how talented you are (because you truly are) - but to admire all your work once again. Everyone needs that sort of inspiration once in a while, right? ;) So excited to see The Happy Candle take off the future. :)

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    1. Aww, thank you so much for being so supportive. :) It brings me so much comfort and joy in reading your generous comments, very grateful for your continuous encouragement. ♡

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  11. wow, this is beautiful! Not only the piece of art you created together but also your thoughts on it. I hope you can spread this message. It's sad that beauty has become something often solely related to physical traits and I think it's important to emphasize that people are beautiful when they feel happy and beautiful :)

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    1. Yes, indeed, it's certainly crucial to reiterate and remind ourselves about it. Thank you so much, Monika! :)

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  12. This is to the heart what trees are to the body.
    Absolutely beautiful and necessary — People of the world need to see art like this and from it, they'll gain a deeper appreciation for life itself.

    Thank you xo I am really glad I read this today.

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    1. Glad you liked it, Amy. Truly appreciate your sweet comment, it's really encouraging, thank you very much. :)

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  13. I feel like I kind of needed to read this post. I've held the belief that every person has their own unique charm about their looks, and for that reason I don't really support the idea of any form of physical alteration to the body that is done for the sole purpose of aesthetics. Crooked teeth can be adorable, right? I don't want to be boring and look like everyone else.

    This year has been the hardest one for me yet and I've chased perfection more than I ever have in my life, and perhaps as a result have started to turn my nose at things that are less than ideal, even though I told myself to never do that in the past, because I wanted everyone and everything to be appreciated. This was a great reminder.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Couldn't agree more with what you mentioned about how individuals have their own unique charm in their appearance which can certainly be attractive too. The post served as a reminder for myself as well, glad to hear it's helpful. Really appreciate that you took the time to leave an insightful comment, thank you. :)

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