Behind: [Re]Birth In Paradise

“Stripped down but not naked. Route unknown but fully guided. Overwhelmed when I look around but at peace when I look up. Allowing faith & childlike wonder as I discover this new era.”

All works of art represent a certain period, feeling or experience. Some with a greater impact than the other, just like life itself. Although I think I am better with images than with words, I would like to express parts of [Re]Birth In Paradise in words.

Process of [Re]Birth In Paradise

A year and a half ago I had to make a radical choice by putting a permanent end to a family relationship. This stripped me of what I saw as home. And losing that home base made me feel very fragile, unprotected and naked. Remember that “fun” activity at school, church or summer holiday camp where they drop you in the middle of nowhere... FOR FUN?! To visualize what I experienced internally: I was dropped completely naked in the middle of a forest.

Stripped down but not naked

When you are naked you experience more. You are not more sensitive, your skin is more exposed. When you wear a thick cozy sweater and someone runs a leaf over your arm, you feel it much less than when it runs over your bare arm. The same with wind or heat, you experience it more intensely. Or actually you really feel what is happening around you because the barrier has been removed. Listen, love language Physical Touch is very important to me, but the idea of ​​cold wind on my bare skin while leaves tickle/surround me uninvited and I don't yet know how to escape gives me a mild panic attack.

On the other hand, there is the wonderful feeling that the sun gives. Pff, I love the sun huh?! I can honestly cry when I feel the warmth of the sun on me. When I enjoy the warmth of the sun, I feel my stress melt away, my shoulders drop to their natural position, I breathe more calmly and I get new energy. Really, the best description of sunshine is receiving a hug from someone who has no physical body. I LOVE IT.

I don't worship the sun. I am happy with the creation that it is, but I believe the Creator is greater. To reflect the Creator in my art I use the sun. It is the greatest creation on earth that has a major impact on living beings. In my small, simple human brain, this creation of all creations is the best option to play the role of Creator in my art. I am still in this forest, but I have the choice to focus on the forest and leaves that make me feel claustrophobic or focus on the warmth and comfort of the sun.

Overwhelmed when I look around but at peace when I look up

Ever heard of the Holy Spirit? Certainly yes, but if not, The Holy Spirit is 1/3rd member of the Godhead next to the Heavenly Father and The Son, or Jesus. It is the part that guides you and helps you make the best decisions so that you do not have to be a danger to yourself or anyone else because of your decisions. The Holy Spirit took a physical form several times in the Bible, namely a dove. That is what the bird symbolizes in this work of art. I don't know where exactly I am and I can't tell you the way to the exit, but I feel incredibly guided. As a human I cannot fly quickly to get a map view of the forest I am in, but a bird can do this. With every instruction to take three steps to the left, for example, I put my trust in something that has more insight into the whole.

Route unknown but fully guided

The hairstyle in this artwork are bantu knots. There's a baby photo of me where I'm wearing a bantu knot style hairstyle. I think bantu knots are really a hairstyle that expresses playfulness, creativity and enthusiasm. In the beginning I said that I had to start from scratch. That thought can bring frustration or enthusiasm. Frustration when I compare my journey with others, for example. But when I realize where I come from, my entire journey, I am grateful that I am at zero, because my starting point was in the negative. By filling my thoughts with playfulness, creativity and enthusiasm, I can build something with a strong foundation. And maybe the Lego structure will fall over one day, but then I can start again with new insights.

Allowing faith & childlike wonder as I discover this new era

Mini-me for hair-inspo

That's it. I find putting words to what is going on inside me and actually sharing it with others more exciting than sharing a work of art. I feel more confident in images than in words, but practice will make perfect. Hopefully I have been able to give you a better insight into what lies behind it.

If [Re]Birth In Paradise ever graces your home, I hope:

• That she reminds you that when something is taken from you, it has made room for what really needs to be there.

• That even though you don't know the whole way, every step you take brings you closer to your goal.

• That when you see that your situation is chaotic, you can really look to God and enjoy the peace that comes with it.

• That you will choose to look at life a little more playfully and dare to believe that things will turn out well.

Love,

Quinsaira