What the waves tell us

I have been a follower of Quietly Doodling on Instagram for a while, and I made the decision to connect with Yen, the talented artist behind the brand, for a collaborative project. Intrigued by the idea of turning one of my photographs into a doodle artwork, I arranged a meeting with her back in December 2022 at Equate Coffee to bounce off some ideas.

2023 was a particularly tough year for me as I lost the motivation to continue Portraits Collective. I took a trip to Jeju in April and it was like a burst of inspiration that reignited my passion. As I watched the crashing waves, I felt a sense of renewal wash over me. Each wave seemed to carry a message of encouragement, reminding me of the natural ebb and flow of life. In that moment, I realised that just as the waves find their rhythm in the tide, I too could find my own rhythm amidst life's ups and downs.

In this photograph taken at slowboat atelier, I wanted to capture a moment of introspection. As the subject balances his daily tasks with moments of contemplation, we are reminded of the fluctuations inherent in life – the rough days and the moments of stillness. The scene invites us to embrace the journey between where we are and where we aspire to be, encouraging us to seize each moment and live it to the fullest. Just as the tides rise and fall, bringing both chaos and calm, so too do the seasons of life offer a myriad of experiences. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder that amidst the uncertainty, we have the freedom to slow down, to love ourselves in every season, and to trust that the best wave of our lives is yet to come.

Right after my trip, I shared this concept with Yen, who skillfully brought it to fruition with her creative illustrations. After undergoing multiple revisions and careful selection of the t-shirt material, the What The Waves Tell Us tee was created. Whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift to a friend, we hope this tee serve as an embrace of positivity and encouragement.

L, Founder