My People Weep

At the beginning of the week, natural disasters struck my country with a painful, destructive blow. Not once, but twice, one following the other. A powerful earthquake shook the grounds of West Sumatra on 25th October that night, when many people were sound asleep in their beds. Within hours, it was followed by the Tsunami that swept the coast of Mentawai, destroying everything in its path. From this catastrophe alone, over 400 people are now pronounced dead, and more than 150 were reported missing, while almost 23,000 people have been driven away from their homes now awaiting their fates.

Less than 24 hours after the disaster, the Merapi volcano, miles away in Central Java erupted.

 Photo source: http://kompas.com

You may have watched or read about these in the news and saw with your very own eyes how nature really took course and how it was able to turn our lives with the palms of its hands. Some of you have even written and left me messages, asking about my safety and well being. For that, I can’t thank you enough. It warms my heart to think that there are friends, thousands of miles away who are concerned about me, thinking of me, even though we have never met. It makes me more certain that we can reach out to one another no matter the distance.

So I am now asking you, my friends, for your hand. To spare a little of your love and reach out to these people in need of our help.

I will be posting a series of drawings throughout this month, which will be available for purchase as a donation for the victims of these disasters. All donations will be forwarded to the Indonesian Red Cross through their public donations account at the end of November by the latest, when I will also be posting the financial details of these donations here on my blog.

Sow Your Light #1

Original drawing

Size: A4

US$25.00

( not including shipping cost)

***** SOLD to a dear friend *****

I am not noble, nor rich. Neither am I trying to justify my personal self with this. But I am just a human being with a beating heart, and if the deaths and sufferings of other human beings do not touch my heart, then what will? I’m sure you feel exactly the way I do.

Thank you for reading this. Please help me spread the words and ask your family and friends to join you here for a little helping hand. If any of you out there have the same idea and plan on or already have something going on, please contact me so we could link to each other.

With all my heart,

Amalia oxx

Note:

If you remembered, I started a Blog Anniversary giveaway a week ago and was supposed to announce the winner yesterday. However, given the grieving atmosphere surrounding us here, I’ve decided to e-mail the winner personally about it. My apologies. I hope you understand.

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Do you find this image breathtaking?

Or maybe this one as enchanting?

See more at Art memoirs and experience nature 
from the eyes of a free spirit.


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Passing Year

Yesterday marked the first turning year of my blog. And strange as it may seem, I spent most parts of the day thinking and contemplating on all the things I have been blessed with through the experience. Come to think of it, creating this blog was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Somehow it has helped me see myself from a wider perspective and each newly discovered angle is more than just a vision. Like a kaleidoscope of life, each one unique and colorful for my own viewing.

~ Forest of Playground ~

However, I think the best priviledge I have now is the friendships I've gained throughout the year. Never in my life have I met such a vast variety of people who are able to connect in a single line of mutual interests, all linked in one chemistry that seems to bond them together in spirit. So thank you, my dear friends, for your friendships, and I hope we could all keep playing together in this magical forest of blogland.

And just like any grateful blogger, I think it's time for me to have my first giveaway, don't you think so? Well, all you have to do is leave me one of your witty comments on this post and visit my shop to choose any item (Yes! Any item!) that you would like to have. I will have the giveaway starting from today and throughout the next week, where one winner will be randomly picked on the 30th October.

I'm also having a Blog Anniversary Sale over at my shop starting 12 pm today (GMT +7 hours), all items discounted just for you!! Just click this link to view the sale. So enjoy...

Lots of love,
Amalia oxox

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More Than Skin Deep (IF - Spooky)

You think that I'm sweet and innocent....

Think again.

I may not be who you think I am.

 ...just a little proof that the human mind is a bottomless ocean...

~Amalia~

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Renaissance Art Through the Eyes of a Folk Artist

A brand new feature on a very talented folk artist over at  

Art Memoirs

My Kind of Immortality

"What if you could live forever?" A powerful tagline for a powerful story.

I remember reading Tuck Everlasting for the first time when I was still at school, and like most classics, the story is safely stored in the back of my mind until this very day. Never for once did I think I'd have the chance and the honor to work within its realm. So for that, I am more than thankful.

This is the cover of the translated version which I illustrated, to be available soon throughout Indonesia, published by Atria.

And thank you to those who took time to visit my new branch. I'll be posting more over there, so you're always welcome to stop by for a cup of tea and biscuits! :)

My best,
Amalia oxx


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I am delighted to announce the sight of a new branching on my tree. 

You are welcome to come and take a look.

Just climb on up and you're there.

Hugs,

Amalia oxx


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The Devil and a Kiss

Sarwat Chadda's Devil's Kiss.

 

This is the Indonesian translation, published by Atria. 

It sure was wonderful to do the cover design for a great read!

 (Coming soon, to be available throughout Indonesia)

*** Note: Thank you, my friend. You turned out to be quite the lucky charm. :) 



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What's in a Name?

I have always been intrigued by names and their meanings. How different cultures and origins affect them, but most of all, how sometimes they seem to affect personalities in a very mysterious way. The relation of names and personalities even go back thousands of years, when Romans simply believed that nomen est omen, which basically means "names are destiny". And Muslims also believe that a name is a prayer, where a person's image and personality is mirrored by the choice of their names. It is said that psychologically, our names affect the way we feel about ourselves, which somehow determine (in many cases) the course of our paths in life.

So have you ever wondered what's the meaning behind your name? Let's ponder at these...

Amanda: worthy of love.
Andrew: manly, courageous.
Anne: gracious.
Bella: beautiful.
Brian: strong one.
Cecilia: the way for the blind (also from St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music)
Heather: a flowering plant (a very pretty one too!)
Julia: youthful.
Jack: God is gracious (diminutive from John)
Jessica: rich, God beholds.
Karen: pure.
Krista: Christ bearer.
Lauren: crowned with laurel.
Nicola: victorious people
Rossichka: tiny drop of dew, diminutive from Rossitsa (she told me!).
Shirley: bright meadow.
Tammie: palm tree (taken from Tamara, symbolizing beauty and fruitfulness).
Vanessa: butterfly (Oooo...pretty!)

...and my name, Amalia, means 'hardworking'... (*????!!*). Hhm, No wonder I feel tired all the time. (^_^)

These are just some examples of the names I'm familiar with, and my source is just one from hundreds (or maybe thousands?) to choose from. Although similar, a name may have different meanings according to cultural backgrounds and origins.

And of course, many people also believe that a name is just a name. That a person's name bears no significance to their personality and destiny. It's all just a matter of choice. After all, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Shakespeare)

Well, if you don't like your name, you could always change it.

Have a glorious weekend, everyone!
Hardworking, oxox ♥♥♥


PS: Anyway, just out of curiosity, what name would you give the lady in my painting up there? Any ideas?


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