Art

kaylanorrisart

I like putting words and pictures together.
📍Tauranga, New Zealand
✏️@curate_church notes on Reels page

There's this massive rock about five minute's swim

There's this massive rock about five minute's swim from shore.

You have to plow through frothing waves, and avoid slicing your feet on coral and more lava rock.

Once you get there, you attempt to clamber up through the ever-swelling tide. You can't grab hold of any mystery holes—there's usually sea urchins ready to stab you.

But you manage to get up. You hoist your whole body on the salt-splashed rock, with only a slightly grazed knee.

The buzz of the crowded shore suddenly seems faraway.

The crash of the tide can't quite reach you.

You're safe.

When I came to this month's verse, this spot at a beach in my hometown in Hawaii came to mind. My high school friends and I never swam out to it because we were "in danger"—more often than not, we created danger for ourselves by doing so. Beaches in Hawaii are pretty unforgivable—we have the scars to prove it.

But those high school days were also marked by this verse—tumultuous days where nothing seemed very constant, and we were all trying to figure what on earth to do with our lives.

Be to me a rock of refuge
to which I may continually come.

I repeated it, over and over.

A prayer, pleading for something steady.

And in 2021, I know we need it more than ever.

Be to me a rock of refuge
to which I may continually come

This isn't a one-time thing.

You can keep coming.

Over and over again.

Be to me a rock of refuge
to which I may continually come.

#handlettering #bibleverseoftheday #2021calendar #procreate #procreateart #applepencil #applepencilart #psalms #bibleverse

Sometimes it’s the little blessings we need most

Sometimes it’s the little blessings we need most of all.

#countyourblessings #handlettering #applepencil #procreate #procreateart #lavenderfarm #wanakalavenderfarm

This comes on the back of Jesus’ commission to g

This comes on the back of Jesus’ commission to go into all nations. A beautiful promise, especially for those who travel.

But I write to you from New Zealand’s second nationwide lockdown.

I used to travel annually, at least. It came with the territory of being a dual citizen, but also being part of a missionary training movement for five years. Long-haul flights, baggage carousels, juggling passports. It was normal life. And I repeated the truth that God was with me wherever I went.

But what does this mean on the days when things are a little less … global?

Well, first off, I must clarify I don’t think a pandemic makes the Great Commission any less valid. We’re still called to disciple all nations, we’re still called to go—and that can be in many different ways. We can’t forget the nations are in the heartbeat of our God.

But in the waiting, or even on the other side of “going” (much of missions really involves staying)… there’s a lot of our lives that include being stationary. One place. Not moving.

And that’s where I need new eyes to look at my circumstances.

Jesus, with me.

With me, in the corner of my living room.

With me, as I tackle learning how to use the espresso machine.

With me, as I stare at a computer screen for work.

With me, as I pace the quiet streets of my suburb.

With me, even in the little things.

So today, I pray you’d see Him—with you, right there.

He never left.

#bibleverseoftheday #handlettering #2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #procreate #procreateart #applepencil #greatcommission #wordsofjesus #applepencilart

Whether it’s to your backyard, or to the other s

Whether it’s to your backyard, or to the other side of the globe.

Adventure again.

#kaitefalls #handlettering #adventuretime #adventureawaits #applepencil #procreate #procreateart #ipadpro

There's a darkened room, candlelight flickering.

There's a darkened room, candlelight flickering.

Outside? Political riots, religious outrage.

But not in here.

Just a man, tearing bread apart, passing it to his closest friends.

Just a man, the night before his torture and execution.

Saying:

"...So also you have sorrow now,
but I will see you again,
and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy from you..."

***

When I chose this verse, I really hoped I'd be on the other side of "you have sorrow now", especially by August. I live in New Zealand, ruthless with Covid border control. Being a dual citizen, it's not impossible for me to see my family overseas. Just... difficult.

As it nears three years since I've seen my hometown—and two of my siblings—the sorrow doesn't dull. I'm rubbed raw, peeled by the crooked knife of unpredictable pandemic restrictions. It would be simple if I didn't love New Zealand. I'd just leave.

But love is unpredictable, too.

When the man you love sits in a darkened room and tells you—don't worry, you're not going to see me for a little bit, but then you will and you'll have joy unfathomable—it's hard to know what to expect.

Then you see him dragged away by guards, pinned to wood soaked in his blood, until he drowns in it himself—"I will see you again" is not what you expect.

But love is not what you expect.

***

There's a darkened room, sunrise flickering through.

Outside? Political riots, religious chaos.

But not in here.

Just a woman, wide-eyed at a folded grave-cloth.

Just a gardener, behind her, saying:

"Why are you weeping?"

#monthlydevotional #2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #bibleversetypography #john16 #ipadpro #ipadart #applepencil #applepencilart #procreate #procreateart #bibleverse #verseoftheday

It’s impossible to separate the two. Looking f

It’s impossible to separate the two.

Looking forward to Term 3 with @curatechurchyouth 🤍

#curatechurchyouth #curatechurch #curatemount #term3 #relationshipsandidentity

Where is the Jesus in the room? I like to imagin

Where is the Jesus in the room?

I like to imagine it, when I have a quiet moment. We talk about God's omnipresence, how He's close, how we don't have to invite Him into the room because He's already there.

And we know God is not some mouldable playdough that floats through houses (but sometimes it may seem a bit like that). He's a person, right?

So surely it's not completely heretical to imagine Jesus in the room.

What would He be doing if you could see actually see Him? Sitting or standing? Relaxed? On a mission? What about His expression? Focused? Grinning? Maybe even blushing? (It says He loves you, surely His heart can melt a little when He sees you!).

Use your imagination. “An imagination is a wonderful thing to have… but like every gift, we must possess it and not let it possess us.” (L.M. Montgomery). Use the gift God has given you to see into the spiritual reality that yes, gets a little messy sometimes—but worth all the risk to see.

So if God is near—don't you want to see Him?

Take a moment and ask the question:

Where are you, Jesus?

It could change everything.

“Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves,

“Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”

-Matthew 8:26

@curateyouthmount ✨

#bestill #jesuscalmsthestorm #matthew8 #handlettered #handlettering #ipadpro #applepencil #procreate #procreateart #curateyouth #curatechurch

When I was in fourth grade, we had a memory verse

When I was in fourth grade, we had a memory verse for each week.

Being a visual thinker (I believe we all are, but that’s a rant for another day), I wasn’t the greatest at memorization.

That’s when we got the CDs. “Seeds of Faith” and “Seeds of Courage” were albums of kids songs with straight Bible-verse lyrics.

Needless to say, I didn’t have trouble with memorization after that.

So much so, that when it came to choosing verses for this year’s calendar, I could still sing Isaiah 41:10.

And I knew the middle of your year, my year, needed this.

This overplayed Sunday sermon, this too-good fairy tale...

This truth:

That wherever you are at,

the yawning hole of winter
or the burning relief of summer,
your job or your school,
travel or home...

This truth, straight from the heart of God:

“I will strengthen you,

I will help you.”

#applepencil #applepencilart #procreate #procreateart #2021calendar #handlettering #bibleverses #handletteredbibleverse #isaiah4110 #donotfear #ipadart #ipadproart

Why do we worship? My dad teaches and trains wor

Why do we worship?

My dad teaches and trains worship leaders worldwide. He always, always challenges me to think about what I’m singing, the purpose of each song choice.

As a writer, it makes sense.

But how often do I forget?

How often do I show up and just click into autopilot?

A lot.

But there’s always something fresh God has for us, every day.

So, I’m challenged all over again to find my “why”.

Not click into autopilot.

And whether today’s “why” is that God provided a great flat for you or protected a family member through surgery or the age-old beauty of the Cross...

your “why” will escort you into deeper relationship with God.

In the words of @ekstasismagazine , “invitation to ponder”.

#whyweworship #applepencil #applepencilart #ipadart #procrateart #procreate #handlettering

“He has broken my teeth with gravel.” This is

“He has broken my teeth with gravel.”

This is one of the lovely, lesser-mentioned verses found in Lamentations 3.

Beautiful, yes?

So cheerful. So reassuring.

Not.

But this is all how it all starts.

Facing the ugly.

Sitting in the mess.

But then?

It’s the mess that gives you all the more authority to say:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end,

They are new every morning,

Great is Your faithfulness.”

#applepencil #applepencilart #procreate #procreateart #2021calendar #handlettering #bibleverses #handletteredbibleverse #lamentations3 #steadfastlove #ipadart #ipadproart

“Be not afraid of your desires; let the soul be

“Be not afraid of your desires; let the soul be thrilled with the thought of heroism, adventure, nobility, grand deeds grandly done...

Take these to God, for He hath need of them, and He knows how to turn these wishes to account.”

-Mark Guy Pearse, Come Break Your Fast

Looking forward to this term at @curateyouthmount ✨

#applepencil #applepencilart #procreate #procreateart #curateyouth #curateyouthmount #dreams #purpose #unsplashphotos #handlettering #typography

The valley of trouble. You have one, don’t you

The valley of trouble.

You have one, don’t you?

Trudging through the dust, head hanging low. Things didn’t turn out how you planned. This feels like it will never end.

Then?

That’s when there’s this whisper beside you:

I will make your valley of trouble
Into a door of hope.

🤍

#2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #resurrectionsunday #procreateart #applepencilart #handlettering #biblehandlettering

🌼 I’m in Hamilton this weekend—and always i

🌼 I’m in Hamilton this weekend—and always in awe of the little gifts God puts in front of me.

🎁 What’s a little gift in front of you?

“Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.”

-Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT)

#kaylanorrisart #bibleversereflection #considerthelilies #hamiltongardens

✨MARCH✨ Sometimes I forget help is just a pra

✨MARCH✨ Sometimes I forget help is just a prayer away. This month’s verse in the 2021 calendar keeps reminding me to just ask for that help! #2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #handlettering #procreateart #applepencilart #applepencil #biblehandlettering

So this is just a little overdue! I want to final

So this is just a little overdue!

I want to finally introduce myself ☺️ My name is yes, Kayla Norris—and I was born and raised in the beautiful Kona, Hawaii. 🌴

🇳🇿 In 2012, I moved to my parents’ (arguably more beautiful) homeland, New Zealand, to go to university and graduated with my degree in primary teaching. 📚

🌏 The following five years I was part of the nonprofit organisation, @ywam_org . These days, I’m a preschool teacher and freelance writer, based in Tauranga, New Zealand. ✌🏼

✏️ I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil—but art isn’t something I always make time for. I started this account to remind me to keep creating—and two years later, I’m so grateful for YOU, and the way you all remind me, too. ❤️

Thank you!

#instagramartist #artistsofinstagram #handlettering #procreateart #applepencilart

✨FEBRUARY ✨ Each month I’m sending out a lit

✨FEBRUARY ✨ Each month I’m sending out a little devotional email, inspired by that month’s verse in the 2021 calendar. Subscribe in the link in my bio and keep an eye out in your inbox today! #kaylanorrisart #handlettering #bibleverse #handletteringbibleverse #psalms #procreateart #procreate #applepencil #applepencilart

✨GIVEAWAY✨ Calendars “in the wild”! 1. F

✨GIVEAWAY✨ Calendars “in the wild”!

1. Follow @kaylanorrisart

2. Take a photo of your calendar “in the wild” i.e. where it is in your home or office.

3. Share it in your story and tag @kaylanorrisart

4. Be in to win a calendar for a friend—winner announced 3 Feb, NZ time.

(If you don’t have a calendar, take a photo of where you’re planning on putting it up!)

Can’t wait to see all the nooks and crannies these little guys have found themselves in!

#2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #giveaway #artgiveaway #handlettering #procreateart #procreate #applepencil

JANUARY ✨ This is where 2021 starts. It’s a pr

JANUARY ✨ This is where 2021 starts. It’s a proclamation that things are not as they seem—and how God sees us as far more than we see ourselves. Time to believe it. #2021calendar #kaylanorrisart #handlettering #bibleverse #bibleverseart #procreateart #applepencilart

🎉 New Year’s Sale! Calendars are now $15 NZD,

🎉 New Year’s Sale! Calendars are now $15 NZD, while stock lasts. Order at the link in bio. New Zealand only, but if you have an international request, message me! #2021calendar #handlettering #handletteringbibleart #bibleverseart #procreate #procreateart #applepencil #applepencilart

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