Friday, June 28, 2019

Beauty That Points Beyond- Jessica from TelosArt {Guest Post} (AND the Giveaway!)


In a world that craves the true, the good, and the beautiful, is a joy to host the fourth Why Make Beautiful Things series here at Look to Him and Be Radiant. You can read the original post with my thoughts on beauty here and read all the guest posts in the previous series here. Today I have the honor of sharing the work and reflections of Jessica from Telos Art, maker of jewelry and paintings and my very favorite Liturgical Calendars. I think you'll enjoy reading her wisdom about the WHY behind her creativity. We'll be featuring guest posts all week, and a huge giveaway of beautiful things on Friday, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. We'd love to hear from you here or on Instagram why YOU make beautiful things- Chime in on today's post!!

Throughout life I have been captivated by the visual world. As a child I would often map the layout of a building in my mind or on paper, trying to make sense of each space and how they were connected. Converting to Catholicism was a similar process of piecing together the truths I had heard growing up. After completing architecture school, where modernism was king, Catholicism encapsulated my pursuit for truth, beauty, and goodness...both in my faith and in my aesthetic.

Image Courtesy of  31Four, Inc.

“For all its rooted loveliness, the world has no continuing city here; it is an outlandish place, a foreign home, a session in via to a better version of itself--and it is our glory to see it so and to thirst until Jerusalem comes home at last. We were given appetites, not to consume the world and forget it, but to taste its goodness and hunger to make it great.”


This quote from Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection, by Robert Farrar, speaks in part to the vision behind my work. The beauty of this world is meant to give us a glimpse of the truth and beauty beyond. While we are just "passing through" the truth, beauty, and goodness still has a purpose.



Visiting beautiful churches, hearing sacred chant, even studying the geometry of seashells can point to something beyond. Something greater. I think we all want more of those reminders in our lives.



The definition of telos is an ultimate end or aim. As Christians, we are called to be a new creation. Many of my necklaces are designed around vintage medals. Taking old, vintage, forgotten jewelry and bring them back to life is not only fun, it's symbolic.



"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." 
--Ephesians 4:16

This verse from Ephesians 4:16 has always been an encouragement to me, especially when I felt like "making pretty things" was trivial. But being able to design jewelry, modern liturgical calendars, and other unique resources is a joy. I'm so grateful I get to share in some creative acts as my work. Through Telos Design and the Telos Art Shop my hope is to join others in our journey of faith.
If we recognize that our lives are not the end itself, but rather a "session in via to a better version...", then truth, beauty, and goodness each play a part in that journey. And they are anything but trivial. The music we enjoy, the jewelry we wear, or the art we hang on our walls can be an opportunity for us to live for our telos. 

We are all on a journey and the true beauty of this world is a means to a greater end.





I'm honored to get to share Jessica's words of wisdom with you.  Please go visit her shop and social media, and join the conversation here in the comments or on today's Instagram post. And don't forget to come back every day this week for more creative wisdom from a set of beautiful women makers! Sign up for the Telos Art Shop monthly newsletter to receive a liturgical calendar download each month as well as shop updates:
Find Jessica:
Instagram- @telosart
Facebook- Telos Design

Jessica is generously donating a set of her brand new Mysteries of the Rosary window clings to our Beautiful Things Giveaway! You'll be able to enter to win here on the blog and on Instagram



Enter the Beautiful Things Giveaway:
You can enter the giveaway here on the blog, and for more chances to win you can enter on Instagram as well! I hope you enjoy visiting all these lovely and generous makers, and know that they appreciate you following along with them on your favorite social media tools.

The winner of the Beautiful Things Giveaway will receive:
$55 Credit towards a Doll and Guaranteed spot in 2019 from Marcy of Marzipantz
8x10 Sacred Heart of Jesus Print from Tricia of Providential Co.
Red Sacred Heart Tote Bag from Rakhi of Rakstar Designs
Set of Cards and Stickers from Shari of Catholic Paper Goods
Set of Mysteries of the Rosary Window Clings from Jessica of Telos Art
Any In-stock Stamp of Your Choice from Katie of Look to Him and Be Radiant

One winner will be chosen using random generator from combination of entries on blog and Instagram. US only and must be 18 or older to win. Winner must meet entry guidelines. Winner has 24 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen. Giveaway closes at midnight Central time Sunday, June 30, 2019. (And if you're viewing this in your email browser, you'll have to click over to the blog to enter using the Rafflecopter giveaway widget!)

26 comments:

  1. I'm more of a musician than a visual artist - my family sings the seasonal Marian antiphon together every evening.

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  2. I have really enjoyed this series! Thank you for sharing all these beautiful creations, and helping us find new Catholic products.

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  3. Thank you for introducing me to such beautiful Catholic art/artists!

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  4. This was such a beautiful series and giveaway, Katie! Thanks for sharing their art and wisdom!

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  5. Thank you for the beautiful work you do!!

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  6. I try to make the world a more beautiful place by volunteering with the youth at my parish.

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  7. I have loved reading every post in this series, and have been inspired to continue my own creative Catholic artwork, which is just for my personal satisfaction currently. I feel justified now, taking the time out of our busy homeschooling schedule, for this creative work. Thank you for the series!

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  8. Thank you for the series & giveaway. šŸ’›I make the world more beautiful by trying to raise my boys to be good men. šŸ’›

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  9. Thank you for sharing such beautiful things!! ❤️I try to make the world a better place through sharing my faith with others. I have taught for the past five years in a Catholic School educating our youth to know love and serve God. I love sharing Christ’s love everywhere I go and even in my own home.

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  10. Beautiful items, all of them. Thanks for sharing great Catholic businesses with us.

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  11. My favorite way to make the world beautiful is by reading outloud to my kids! I'm not artsy or crafty but love to read a lot and find reading to my kids helps their imagination grow!

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  12. I loved reading all these! Great series!

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  13. Bringing the word of God to life through lectoring.

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  14. Thank you for the series. What a joy to witness the gifts of these artists.

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  15. I love creating quilts & giving them to others. Someday I hope to make my own patterns / designs for quilts!

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  16. Thanks for supporting other creatives, sharing their talent, and introducing others them. :)

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  17. Thank you for sharing the talent of these women!

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  18. I love this! I already bought from one of the artists and added a the others to my list of places to get great gifts

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  19. The spiritual bouquet stamp is SUCH an awesome idea!

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  20. I try to make the world a more beautiful place by complaining less.

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  21. This is a lovely series that has been great to remind me to find God in all the beautiful things - and that all beauty comes from him!!

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  22. I think praying with my family makes the world a more beautiful place! Thanks for the lovely giveaway!

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  23. I'm so excited about this giveaway. There are so many beautiful catholic artists out there!

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