Cover Calligraphy for Alex Gonzaga's Book
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
God knows how many souls reached out back to the Lord because of a broken heart. In fact, my bible study mate started her testimony quite aptly with a line that I think is truthful, "The path back to God begins with a broken heart". It is why I wanted a new hobby three years ago, why I started attending bible study in the first place. The two things that define who I am and what I currently do are products of a broken heart. And it's just amazing how things are unfolding.
Just to clarify, I don't mean to say that being romantically brokenhearted is a requirement before we can find God. But the humility and hunger to seek Christ that usually come with broken hearts are.
Last month, I had an amazing opportunity to collaborate with the team behind the book of Alex Gonzaga, "Dear Alex, Break na Kami. Pano?! Love, Catherine". Upon receiving the email, I literally pounced on the reply button with a yes. It was still a hush-hush project then, all I knew that it was young, for the mass market, and about love. I didn't care much about the details though, I'd love for my writing to be immortalized on a book!!! *Woohoo*
The timeline was quite tight. I submitted an option using a Brause 361 nib and another using a brush. We eventually decided on the pointed pen, and I was given the freedom to make it as fun and dynamic as I deemed appropriate. For the original artwork, I used grey gouache so that the minute gradations in the colors can be seen. They were scanned in 600dpi (Though I was told that my all-in-one scanner-printer-copier machine needs an upgrade! Maybe a dedicated scanner should be on my wish list) and submitted within a few days.
It was a flurry of sketches and midnight submissions. But when I found that Alex's mantra is actually my life verse, I was so ecstatic! I looked through the project details some more, and there is actually an entire chapter dedicated to waiting for God's best. What a blessing, this is really an opportunity that's heaven-sent. <3
Trivia, Philippians 4:13 is the FIRST EVER post on the instagram account of Ink Scribbler.
On a related yet peculiar note, my mom posted the original artwork of Philippians 4:13 on my wall. My sisters have given me the task of painting this verse on their bathroom wall. Yeap, that's our family humour. Haha!
Ink Scribbler is a calligraphy & design company focusing on wedding invitations / stationery printing. Based in Metro Manila, Philippines, shipping worldwide.