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. :)

Completed Project: Lynde Avenue

Uncertainty may intimidate some, but if embraced, it gives more room to trust and have faith. We can never anticipate how things will turn out while working with someone new. Admittedly, there were moments in various projects where I didn't give credence to my own work and refused to believe they were good enough, but we certainly have to learn to trust the process and keep the faith.

Some time ago, Emily from Lynde Avenue had approached me to help create a new header and style for her blog after she saw the project I worked on with Sophie from Sophie Smith. She wanted to give her blog a more creative boost and mentioned that a fresh design would be very helpful for her.

Lynde Avenue is a blog about wellness, beauty and lifestyle, where Emily shares advice about keeping healthy, tips and tricks on wellness and beauty, and occasionally some blogging and lifestyle tips as well. The posts on the blog are always concise, to the point and summarises things in a nutshell. I especially enjoy reading posts on wellness and health. They are certainly beneficial to keep ourselves in the pink of health and in good shape. Emily also has pretty impressive coding skills and has designed blogs before, so her blogging tips are helpful too. If you enjoy reading about beauty and fashion, the blog also shares information and tips about those topics, so feel free to check them out. :)

Emily was very forthcoming with her ideas and she was also open to what we both had in mind. She had an idea of the colour palette she loved - purple, pink and a pale shade of blue. She also loved a minimal, elegant and feminine style. Here's a moodboard that inspired the project.

(Clockwise from top-left) Orlando Florida Wedding (Photo by Amalie Orrange Photography) / Brush Stroke + Lettering + Heart by myself / Classic & Elegant Russian Wedding (Photo by Sonya Khegay) /  Zila Lila Nest Bean Bag / Figs & Gold Wedding Inspiration (Photo by Onelove Photography) 

We explored the purple, pink and neutral colour palette, leaving the complementary colours for some accents, and because Emily loved the idea of minimal, clean sans serif fonts, I also managed to implement them into the headers by lettering and drawing them out. All the headers were hand lettered, and most header options also included a watercolour pink heart, to accentuate the minimal style Emily was fond of.

We also discussed about different design elements that would be really unique to her blog. Since coding is also something Emily enjoyed doing, it would be very special to include this interest into the blog style as well. The additional illustrations include a running shoe and a jump rope to depict wellness, which is one of the main topics discussed on the blog. These illustrations were hand drawn to give the design a more authentic style too.

(Inspiration: From left) Classic & Elegant Russian Wedding (Photo by Sonya Khegay) / Orlando Florida Wedding (Photo by Amalie Orrange Photography) / Zila Lila Nest Bean Bag / Figs & Gold Wedding Inspiration (Photo by Onelove Photography) 

This is still, one of my first few attempts at creating a moodboard, and I am very aware that it's not the best, so I'll gladly welcome any criticisms and comments. I'd love to hear any suggestions and improvements that we can all learn from together.

This project was pretty enjoyable to work on, as with all other projects are, because each one of them undoubtedly possess a certain form of uniqueness and specialty. :) Furthermore, it's always an eye-opening experience to be able to work with someone from another part of the world. I had such a wonderful time working with Emily who was always so courteous and kind. She was extremely gracious and polite with suggestions and this certainly made the project easy to work on. It could never have been possible with her ideas as well, so I really appreciate that. :)

Finally, collaborations are perhaps one of the most interesting type of projects to work on because working with new people undeniably has unexpected paths and turns, but eventually, the results produced are relatively pleasant and satisfying. Apart from successfully completing the project together, genuine partnerships are formed as well. :) They also provide the much needed affirmation for both parties, and allow us to just believe in ourselves, a little more.

Until next time ♥

Lettering + Design elements by me, Photos as stated in links

Check out the other projects I worked on with Sophie from Sophie Smith and Bryleigh from A Little Yarn Blossom. 

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+ If you're keen on featuring your original, creative creations on The Happy Candle, check out the new post series, The Creative Minds

+ I have been incredibly busy this month and will continue to be in the coming month, with college administration and camps, but I do hope to continue contributing to this as much as I can. To make up for the reduction in the frequency of posts, I will be posting more updates on social networks. You may check out what inspires me on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram for new lettering work and extras that are not featured here on the blog as well. :)

The Creative Minds Series: Listen (+ Freebie)

Last June, a blogger from France, Elsa, from Totally Elsa, came forward and wanted to collaborate on a project together. Totally Elsa is a place where Elsa shares her very delicate and detailed nail art as well as some of her pretty impressive drawings and portraits. She was unsure of what exactly we should work on, but proposed that since both of us had a common interest of art and creative things, we could create an art piece that featured her illustration and my lettering.

The downloadable wallpaper for this July is something that both of us had created together, with Elsa's intricate and delicate illustration of a beautiful crown and jewels, coupled with my lettering. I also decided to try out something new, and created my own gold foil to use with the crown that Elsa had illustrated.

The late Princess Diana had mentioned this beautiful quote worth a reminder to all. She would have turned 54 recently on 1 July, and will be remembered for being kind and down-to-earth, and indisputably, an inspiration to many.

Version 1 // Black Background Phone (Android/iPhone) 1080 x 1920 Laptop 2880 x 1800 Desktop 2560 x 1600 / 1280 x 1024

Version 2 // White Background Phone (Android/iPhone) 1080 x 1920 Laptop 2880 x 1800 Desktop 2560 x 1600 / 1280 x 1024

From this collaboration initiated by Elsa, I also decided to introduce a new collection/post series called 'The Creative Minds Series'. After the introduction of the Loopy Doodles, it seemed appropriate to also include another series in this little getaway to go on wilder creative adventures. The series will be a type of collaboration where it will feature the wonderful work from the contributor, and where the contributor and myself will create an artwork or a piece together. :)

I'm very grateful for Elsa for her initiative to start this collaboration that sparked the idea of this series. It was very kind of her and she didn't mind if this idea was used with others. She was very accepting, open-minded and happy that she gave the idea of the series as well, so I'm very much appreciative of her support. :) It was wonderful working with Elsa, she had great ideas and it was such an amazing experience to be able to work with someone from across the globe once again.

Finally, we often listen to the voice of reality of our heads, rather than listening to our hearts that harbour the growing list of dreams we constantly wish for. Let's remember that choices lead to destiny as well. We have the ability to cross off those items on our bucket list and find solace in even the smallest of things, if we just keep a close ear and listen to the whispers of our hearts.

Until next time ♥ 

Illustration by Elsa, lettering by me. Wallpapers created by Elsa from Totally Elsa and Dian from The Happy Candle. For personal use only. Not for sale or distribution. If shared, please link back to original post.

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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.