Big Idea Book - Second Chances

    For my B.I.B. I chose the first subject matter that came to mind and for my life that is a second chance.  When you feel like you've been walking backwards for 6 years a second chance to start over is a Godsend.

The book itself is handmade out of pulp painted hand pulled flex paper.  I love color in my artwork and a fresh start always feels bright and new.  Making paper has always seemed like a reinvention of something plain into the extraordinary.  With a second chance anyone can be extraordinary!

Amber Ward was the first of my classmates to contribute to my BIB and I have to say I was some what apprehensive about giving my book away.  I think mostly because the pages already had so much work put into them and I had a very clear idea of what was going to be in my book. 

I was quite pleased when I read Amber's pages because her take on my BI was so different from my own interpretation but just as serious a topic.  Her artistic style seems to fit right into the book.

Jooyoung was the second contributor to my book.  Her take on second chances was another complete reinterpretation of my idea but probably the best one.  I started thinking about becoming a  teacher in high school because I wanted to work with kids.  Truth be told I wanted to have kids but at 16 I didn't see that happening anytime soon. 

 I turned to education because of the one on one interaction with the next generation.  If I can help a child avoid mistakes I've made or help them as they make their own than what little wisdom I've gained in life can be put to good use.  

If hind-sight is 20/20 than presently I feel like I'm blind.  A Second Chance is the opportunity to use the knowledge gained from past mistakes to create a better future.  It's about using that 20/20 vision and not giving up regardless of how hard that path may be.  The opportunity to start fresh, take a step back and evaluate what and how you know something, someone, somewhere.   Christ's blood has washed away my sins.  Start Anew!  Christ paid the ultimate price to give each man, woman, and child the chance to try again.

If I had never lost my sister I would never know how precious life time can be.  If I had never been put in a wheelchair because of an accident I would never have learned to be humble and truly appreciate my mother's help.  If I had never failed a class I would never know how hard it is to get an A.  If I had never gotten a speeding ticket, I would never learn to slow down.  If I had never waited tables to pay my rent, I would never understand how much money is really worth.  If I had never hit my head walking down the stairs I would never learn to duck.

Time, Humility, Blood, Sweat, and Tears 

My life over the past 7 years has been a world-wind; disaster zone; and even sometimes a psychiatric ward would have been more enjoyable, but sometimes finding the meaning/image lost in a composition enables you to find purpose, peace, understanding.  The trials of life will only make you stronger.  Once your demons are defeated and the struggles over you can look back triumphant and say "I'm still standing, I'm still here", "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Find the beauty in Life's Chaos and start each day Anew!!