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Interview with Artist Kianna Giesbrecht

Tracey Dyck 12 Comments

I am about to burst with excitement, questers! Because today marks a momentous day in the history of the world! (Or, you know, the history of my little slice of the internet. Same thing.) Today I have the privilege of hosting my very first interview!

This particular adventurer is a dear friend of mine whom I’ve known for years. She’s a fellow creator, but not only does she write: she also dances and arts. (Which is most definitely a verb, okay? People art. She arts amazingly.) Her sketches and paintings are stunning, and the craziest thing is that she basically taught herself. I know there are probably more artists than writers among my readers, but some things hold true no matter what creative medium you choose.

She possesses a dry, quirky wit and a brilliant smile and a soft heart. I think you’ll find the following chat rather inspiring. Plus ALL THE PRETTY PICTURES. Petting is allowed. Stealing is not. Ahem, carry on.

Ladies and gentlemen, questers and adventurers and journeymen and traveling minstrels, I give you . . . Kianna!

Self-portrait of Kianna

~*~


Tell us a little about yourself—personality, hobbies, favorite dessert, anything!
Hi. My name is Kianna Giesbrecht, I’m 20 years old, and here’s a little randomness about me:
I’m a neat person, though when it comes to painting I somehow manage to get paint all over myself. When I draw, my pencils tend to end up in my hair, behind my ears, and/or in my mouth.

My first painting I ever did on canvas, as opposed to cardboard or whatever I could find, I think was when I was ten. And it was a copy, off of a pot holder we have, of the Buchard Gardens. At that time I had no idea it was a real place, only that it was pretty. I showed my dad and he recognized it (so I guess it wasn’t bad :)) and he said, “Hey, I’ve been there.”

I like to draw people. It’s funny, ’cause often I’ve gotten the comment that “aren’t people hard to do?” I dunno. I’ve been drawing people my whole life. I really like the expressions of a person. Maybe that’s why I favor that art subject.


I love eyes. LOVE eyes! They hold such character, mystery, and beauty.

I like tigers. My favorite color is green. I love sunsets and thunderstorms and butterflies. I like to bake. I’m a daydreamer. I love the fall. I love cold weather. I like dance and listening to different genres of music. I love the sound of violins and the saxophone! I sometimes write poems. I love dabbling in writing novels. I like fantasy, fiction, mysteries! I like old school animated Disney classics: Tarzan, Treasure Planet, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, etc.

I was homeschooled from grade 2-12. (Awesome!)

I LOVE vanilla ice cream! I’m a little claustrophobic, dyslexic, random, and weird. And I love hugs!

How long have you been drawing and painting?
I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember. I started with scribbles and coloring and making little doll houses out of cereal boxes.

What made you start?
I dunno. I was never put into art classes or anything. Art was something I simply did. It wasn’t something I necessarily understood to be art at the time, only that I loved to create. It was fun. Made me feel good. The one place where I made sense as a struggling school student, and I could be free to express myself in the only way I knew how.

 

What do you love most about creating art?
I think what I love most is that it’s your own. You can study and learn the techniques, but ultimately how you apply them is up to you. Art is a story—it should tell a story—and that story is yours, your decisions. And that’s something I absolutely love about it. It’s passion that can be expressed in so many different and creative ways. It’s only as limited as your imagination. It’s something you can share with people. It’s a vulnerable, personal, beautiful thing. Your talent is a gift from God. What you do with that talent is your gift to him. So between you and him—from one artist to another—to create something is like nothing you could experience from anything else.

What inspires you?
Inspiration is a funny thing. It can hit you or it can seemingly hide from you. And I realize it’s different for everyone personally. But art is a privilege. Poetry in color. A mystery not meant to be solved. ART IS EMOTION. So: whatever moves you.

I get inspired by anything. Whether it’s something I heard, like a quote for example, that begins to form a picture in likeness to the words that dawned the inspiration. Or, say, the screeching of a train slowing down. Reminds me of nails down a chalkboard . . . Ooh, shiver . . . Or like claws. Yes. So right away I get this bud of a picture, thinking how I could interpret something really cool from that. (I think of Fantasia, how shorts are created by the aroused imagination through music. That kind of symbolic art is cool.)

If I’m sad, I’ll draw or paint in reflection of that, same if I were happy. But both of those opposite ends of the scale are things that equally excite me.

I LOVE COLOR. I love creating things that pop, but things that are interesting to me and not necessarily usual. As well, I love to create things in the reverse; that are gray; are an intriguing image of pain, or hope, or anger, even strangeness—meaning something very unique, very creative-licenced. I believe art is a safe place to express any emotion. It’s simply giving face to whatever I’m feeling.

 

What’s the hardest part of an art project?
For me it totally depends on the project—especially my mood. If I’m frustrated, I have to take a break or I’ll probably ruin it. But then it’s always an experiment for me, and I’ve been realizing, even if it takes a dozen tries, it’s never a waste as long as I learn something.

If I wanna draw something that I don’t know how it’s supposed to look, that’s a very hard part of any project. But that’s why I’ll look up references, snap pictures, pose my head so I can copy it—whatever. Nature is the best teacher. And art is a journey. You never ‘arrive,’ which I think that’s the beauty of it. It’s about the climb; about amazing yourself. Gary Jenkins likes to say, “Art is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.”

There’s definitely things that I like to draw less than others. Such as hair. Hair is not my favorite thing to draw most days. But nothing is so hard, for me, or challenging rather, than first getting the outline right in order for the later fill of details to turn out.

The most satisfying?
Stepping back to take in the finished project and being amazed at myself. The gratification of the reaction of friends and family touches the heart like nothing else. But mostly to say, “I did that,” to amaze myself, even if midway through the project I feared wouldn’t turn out right. That is a very beautiful, very satisfying thing indeed.

Where people/experiences have helped you grow as an artist?
Friends and family have always encouraged me with my art. (Which is a needed natural nourishment.) Without that I don’t think I would’ve developed my self-taught art as I have. So their support has naturally influenced my growth. But recently I’ve had the privilege to do some illustration for family. It’s challenged me in a very new but good way. Being able to give face to my own ideas is awesome in and of itself, but then also to experience giving face to someone else’s ideas is very exciting. To assist in something so unique as someone else’s imagination is incredible.

Where do you hope to go with your art?
First of all, art is such a big part of who I am—it is me—it gives me a voice. It’s something I can’t imagine doing without. But I honestly don’t know where I hope my art to go. Naturally I’d love to do it full-time, and I have had half a dozen paid requests and several requested gifts.

Illustration is something I’m interested in, or simply filling requests. All I really know is that I want my art to mean something to people.

Any encouragement for fellow artists and creative people?
Art comes in so many different forms (acting, photography, dance, music, baking, fashion, whatever!). And art is for everyone. So if you wanna do it—do it. But be you. Explore. Experiment. Enjoy! Embrace your passion and bask in its beauty.

Now, if you’re like me, it’s not always something beautiful.

“Creativity takes courage.” —Henri Matisse

So if you’re feeling unappreciated, remember you’re smart and talented. Someone is cheering for you. Always.

Never give up on what makes you smile!

“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” —H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” —Albert Einstein

So dare to dream, to be vulnerable, bold, courageous. Get excited! God is. He wants to be a part of what you do. Art is loose. Your gift. Free. Beautiful. A perspective on life, and what you make of it.


Say it with me: “I’M (you’re) AWESOME.”

Fan that flame.

<3
someone like you

~*~
Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your heart, Kianna! I love how you said that God is excited about our dreams, dreams that He’s given us. He’s even more excited about it than we are. And that is truly mind-blowing.

 
Well, readers, I wish I could link you to a slice of internet belonging to Kianna, but alas, she dwells in the mysterious land of No Internet. The Q&A you just read was copied off an exchange of good old-fashioned handwritten letters. But do drop a comment here for her—I’ll be printing off everything to give her a hard copy later, and we’ll see if I can find a way for her to personally respond to all of you too.

 
I know you’re bursting already with comments and questions, so I’ll shut up and let you have it!
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The Bedtime Book Tag

Tracey Dyck 12 Comments

Time for another tag! This one, the Bedtime Book Tag, is from my good friend Sarah @ Ink and Paper Tall Ship. She’s a university student by day and an epic writer/blogger by night . . . a.k.a. she’s a superhero. Go check out her bookish blog!

1. What book kept you up all night reading?
I don’t actually stay up all night reading, but some books do keep me up later than I should be on occasion. The Solitary Tales series by Travis Thrasher was definitely one of those page-turners that kept the lights on. They’re just such fast, intense reads!

2. What books make you scared to fall asleep?
Boneman’s Daughters by Ted Dekker. While I wasn’t fully afraid or anything, it did give me the creeps. This one is NOT a bedtime story, people. I mean, there’s a creepy whacko who kidnaps flawless girls and breaks their bones one at a time . . .


3. What book almost put you to sleep?
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. I know it’s a classic, and I know it shaped the modern American novel and all that–but I found it boring. And depressing. Granted, it was forced upon me as a high school assignment, but still. Couldn’t the curriculum writers pick more interesting books?

4. What book has you tossing and turning in anticipation for its release?
Good question! I am eagerly awaiting the release of Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Poison Crown, but that won’t be until 2017 or possibly later, for reasons detailed here. In the meantime, I am of course looking forward to her Ridiculously Huge Project–a 12 book series she plans to draft in ONE YEAR. (She is a fairy with magical powers, I’m convinced.)
I’m also waiting to get my hands on Beyond the Gateway by Bryan Davis! (Although I have yet to snatch up Reapers, the first book in the series.)
I’m holding my breath over Mirror of Souls by Wayne Thomas Batson (in both a good way and a “I sure hope this is good” way).
And I feel like there are lots more I’m looking forward to, but they’re just not coming to me at the moment.

5. What book has your dream boyfriend/girlfriend?
I don’t usually think of characters in terms like that, but I suppose there are a number of them that exhibit worthy qualities. Many of Bryan Davis’s male characters are noble and kind and chivalrous: Billy Bannister, Elam, Nathan Shepherd, Adrian and Jason Masters, etc.
Paul Falcon of Full Disclosure (by Dee Henderson), though much too old for me, is super thoughtful and mature in the way he pursues his gal. I don’t know! This is a hard question. And apparently I can’t give just one answer to these questions.

6. What book would be your worst nightmare to live in?
I would die in The Hunger Games. Probably within the first sixty seconds.
Depression and vitamin D deficiency would do me in if I was forced to stay in City of Ember. I need my sunlight!
And to tell you the truth, as epic as it would be to live in a high fantasy book world, those places are perilous! I think I’d freak out. Especially if I was one of those chosen, special types, tasked with saving the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD. (Where’s a Gandalf when you need one?!)

7. What book has a nightmarish cliffhanger?
Timescape by Robert Liparulo (the fourth book in the Dreamhouse Kings series). I almost threw the book across the room, that’s how cliffhanger-y the cliffhanger was.

8. What book cover reminds you of nighttime?
Emissary by Thomas Locke, the book I’ve currently got my nose in, has a stunning cover that fits the bill.

9. What book have you actually dreamed about?
Sadly, I haven’t directly dreamed about any books before. I wish I did, because I love immersing myself in story worlds. The closest thing I’ve come to experiencing a bookish place in my dreams is this. Prepare yourself for a longwinded description.

A large green dragon was at my house to have supper with my family. This was an entirely acceptable occurrence during the dream, you see, because dreams are funny that way.

Anyway, sometime after dinner I headed downstairs for bed. The dragon was lounging by the stairs–I’ve no idea how he fit in the hallway, but as I said, dream-logic is often rather illogical–with his long neck draped over the bannister. I paused on the stairs to converse with him. You see, during supper he’d alluded to something about me having dragon wings. “How am I supposed to get wings?” I asked him.

He regarded me solemnly and said, “You just need to believe.” (Yes. He really did say that. When I woke up later, I had to laugh at the cheesiness, but during the dream this statement carried grave weight.)

I went to sleep pondering his words.

The following morning, I awoke before the rest of my family. The dragon was gone. I went outside and stood on the front porch and inhaled the cool air of a summertime morning. With the dragon’s admonition ringing in my mind, I closed my eyes and believed. Simply and effortlessly, just like that.

And I felt a pair of dragon wings unfurl from my back.

The next part of the dream is probably the most vivid. I can clearly recall the exultation as I tried out my new wings. The first tentative flaps. Rising the first few feet into the air, then higher and higher over the street. Feeling my heart lurch as I nearly fell, only to regain altitude. Flying over the town as it stirred for a new day. I finally landed half a block from home, and discovered that the wings vanished when I didn’t need them. Somehow I knew they’d return when I needed them again.

And then I woke up.

So in case you haven’t realized, that dream was drawn from elements of Bryan Davis’s Dragons in Our Midst series. It remains one of my favoritest, epic-est dreams of ever.

10. What book monster would you not want to find under your bed?
Shelob, or any of those Mirkwood spiders, really. I don’t have an affinity for normal little Canadian spiders, so an eight-legged beastie big enough to probably haul my bed away? GET THEE AWAY FROM ME.

 
There you have it! Thanks for the fun tag, Sarah! I’m always up for an excuse to talk about books.
And now I tag:

Christine @ Musings of an Elf
 
Candice Willimas @ O Ye Scribes
 
Plus anyone who wants to pilfer this tag for themselves!
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“Thank God for Something”

Tracey Dyck 14 Comments
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! We have so much to be thankful for on this journey: big, life-encompassing things along with the little daily shards of glory we encounter.
Some of the big things I’m thankful for . . .
  • My amazing Savior, whose depth I couldn’t plumb even in a thousand lifetimes. For Him I am grateful.
  • My family. They are Home and Love and a Safe Place to Be. I am grateful for them.
  • My friends. People who ‘get’ me, on whichever level our friendship is–they know me. I know them. I am grateful.
  • Health. I’m grateful.
  • A nation in which I can worship God freely, contribute to how the country is run, and live in relative safety. I’m grateful.
  • Every single church service, message, book, devotional, or Bible study that has given me something to chew on. I’m grateful.
And there are hundreds of little things that bring a smile of thanks to my face. If I tried to list them all, we’d be here for days and I still wouldn’t be done. Lately I’ve been thankful for . . .
  • The sound of a friend’s voice over the phone.
  • Hugs.
  • Yellow leaves whirling down to rest on the front lawn.
  • A bicycle ride.
  • A shared joke.
  • Soft carpet beneath my bare toes.
  • The smell of coffee grounds.
  • Songs that perfectly express how I feel.
  • Blank notebook pages waiting to be written in.
  • Flowers still blooming in mid-October.
  • Happy customers at work.
  • Buttered fresh bread.
  • A favorite scarf.
  • Compliments given and received.
  • The beautiful browns and burgundies and golds and reds of autumn.
  • Sleeping in and lingering over breakfast with my family.
  • A stack of books.
  • Barbecues.
  • My sisters’ giggling across the house.
  • Conversations with my brother.
  • The voice of a cello filling the vehicle as I drive home from work.
  • A movie that instantly becomes one of those happy places, a comfort film you know you’ll watch again whenever you need a pick-me-up.
  • A stunning sunrise.
  • And all of you readers and commenters–I’m thankful for you!
It’s been said that if you wake up in the morning complaining, you’ll have little time to be thankful. But if you wake up and choose to be thankful, you’ll find you have little time for complaining. It’s all about your outlook. You may not be able to change your circumstances or the people around you, but you can control how you see them.
“In everything, give thanks . . .” Not for everything (we aren’t thankful for catastrophe or illness or strife), but in everything. In the midst of the struggle or heartache, we can find something worth being thankful for. And when we do, we’ll find the hard times much easier to bear.
What big or small things are you grateful for today?
 

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Grace

Tracey Dyck 14 Comments

Grace.

We say it before meals. A ballerina has it. A girl is named it. It’s a noun. It’s a verb—the king will grace us with his presence. And it’s a word sprinkled throughout the New Testament.

What is it really?

The best definition I’ve found for grace is unmerited favor.

Unmerited: unearned, not worked for, not deserved in any way.

Favor: excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment.

This is what God extends toward us. And so many of us, having sung songs like Amazing Grace hundreds of times and having heard dozens of sermons on the topic, are desensitized to just how utterly, amazingly, mind-boggling this is. We’ve heard this all our lives. So we tune out. We disregard the subject as being basic. Let’s get to the more challenging stuff, right?

Truth is, we’ve barely grasped the fringe of it. Oftentimes the basics are the deepest, most profound parts of our faith—elements that take a lifetime and more to truly dig into.

Grace—unmerited favor—is what grew inside a teenaged girl’s womb.

Grace is what walked the planet, confining God to the limits of human skin.

Grace is what touched untouchable lepers.

Grace is what fed thousands of people who, not long after, would desert the One who fed them.

Grace is what turned itself over to be crucified on a Roman cross.

Grace is what looks at you, in all the dirt of your failings and the scars of your wrongs, and smiles and says, “You are flawless.”

We have watered down this concept of grace. It’s too good to be true, so we add our own “truth” to it. We say there’s grace for the sinner, and after that? Well, you’d better work for it. God gives you a slice of grace when you choose to follow Him, and then you must tread carefully, so as not to use it all up. Because there’s only so and so much of it. If you go too far (and we all draw different lines of what that is), if you make too many mistakes, or too large of a mistake . . . You’d best hope there’s enough mercy left for you.

It sounds ludicrous to say it so bluntly. But many of us, without realizing, think this way. And in so doing, we scoff at a grace so dearly bought, and say, “It’s not enough.”

“It’s not enough. Jesus’ work on the cross is not really a finished work; surely I must add something to it. Surely there’s an if or a when attached.”

But grace is not a well, able to dry up after so much use. Grace is a waterfall, an unending supply of lavish kindness that is completely undeserved.

Expecting parents couldn’t be more excited for their coming child. They prepare a nursery, buy clothes and toys and blankets, read books on how to care for it. And when the baby arrives, oh, the joy! This baby keeps them up at night, soils its diapers, spits up on things, wails to high heaven, and generally does nothing at all to deserve any love. And yet those parents would give their very lives for their child.

That’s the kind of love, the kind of grace, God has toward you and me. We’ve done absolutely nothing to earn it. How could we? Even if we lived to the very best of our ability, put in our highest effort, how could any of it even tip the scales toward an even balance? How could it even begin to match the weight of grace? To even try is to negate its very meaning.

And that baby? When it starts learning to walk, only to fall down again and again? Mom and Dad don’t scold it. They don’t smack it upside the head and say, “Why can’t you learn to walk straight without tripping? Get it together!” No, they cheer their child on. “You can do it! Come on, that’s it. Look at you—you’re doing so well!”

When we fall, our Father picks us up and cheers us on. In fact, it’s that grace that enables and empowers us to learn to walk.

Let’s rediscover the meaning of grace, my friends.

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