Unfolding the petals of my flower

Hi, I'm Antonina Chai. I live in a small city of Sarawak, Miri. I have three siblings, in which I belong to a twin sister. I love readings, butterflies, and arts and crafts. I've been serving in my youth ministry and parish since 2006, and in 2011, I serve as a projectionist, photographer, and a graphic designer. I also serve as a journalist in Today's Catholic newsletter and helping my parish in managing their social media page. 

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The past one year since my mom left this earth in 2016, in those darkest times, I cling to Jesus in prayer and talk to my mom which I believe she is one with Jesus and the saints. I am blessed and grateful to have my families and friends support at this period of time and to also random people who have lightened this path.

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One of the most comforting words in the Bible, which I held close to my heart until now is “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) One day, I took up my sketch book and start a simple sketch of this verse, you can look it up here “Rain of Tears”. Ever since then, my passion and interest in sketching and producing a graphic with Illustrator grew fonder, and I started to sketch more and more, taking inspirations from the word of God and stories from the Saints. I hope to venture more into sketching and illustrator skills and techniques.

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In this one year, I happen to come across a website and saw an article on the meaning of my name "Antonina". Antonina means flowers of life. I got a friend who will always call me “Ninia” which means “Little Girl” in Spanish, and I thought of St.Therese of Lisieux, how she was called the Little Flower. How wonderful and beautiful of my mom to have named me Antonina! 

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Saint Therese is a true companion and a sister, her beautiful writings “The Story of the Soul”, has always inspired me. She can be a friend to you, too! She teaches me the virtues of holiness and her love of the Father is always with simplicity, approaching the Father with childlike trust and confidence, like how a baby trusted his/her father in taking care of him/her. I've been babysitting my baby nephew since he was born in July 2016, and this experience has opened up my mind, heart, and the inner child in me.

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As I reflected on these circumstances of my life in this past year, I've decided to name my artworks “Unfolding Petals Art”.

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Life is like a flower, starting from a seed, blooming into a beautiful flower until it withers. Throughout the lifetime of a flower, it unfolds its beauty and strength. It never hides its beauty, but show to others what it was created to be (Matthew 5:13-16).

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Like us, when God has formed us in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13), we unfold ourselves little by little, day by day. We seek Christ and become what God has created us to be. We should never hide our beauty (Matthew 5:13-16) but show to others with love and humility, the identity and beauty that God has created us to be since we are created in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27).

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Even though we may wither in this course of life, the Lord will make us new again, giving us new life and a chance to start over (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Revelation 21:5). He continues to shine His light on us, watering us, providing us with shelter. We should never doubt His love and unfailing mercy to us. Until when it is time for us to go home to the Father, the Lord will pick us and place us in His Kingdom’s Garden.

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As life continues to unfold itself and God is a God of surprises, I’m eager to see what He has planned out for me (Jeremiah 29:11). He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30). As I unfold the petals of my flower little by little in my artworks to you, I hope these artworks will bring much joy, love, happiness, comfort and hope as you share them with others.

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Thank you for stopping by and God bless. 

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Lots of love, Nina.