Here’s a reminder: it’s okay to be not okay. Melody Hansen’s illustrated quotes and uplifting mantras are here to drill down that message. Her Instagram page is just the relatable content we’ve been looking for in the age of social media madness.
Originally from Lausanne, Switzerland and currently living in Toronto, Canada, Hansen has many talents to her name, working in graphic design, art direction, illustration, music, curation, and writing.
“I create designs, while combining typography, handwritten and illustrated elements, and images,” she explained in a conversation with To Write Love On Her Arms. “Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace the ‘less is more’ motto. I prefer open spaces where there is room to breathe and a lot of light, and I think this comes out in my work. But this doesn’t mean everything should be perfect; I like to include a ‘human’ touch, too. It makes the work more honest, and I think that’s important.”
Indeed, there is something extremely honest about her work, which calls for empathy, self-love, and forgiveness. “I believe there is something so supernatural about art and the act of creating,” she said. “It does something to the soul that I don’t think I can explain. It awakens parts of us we didn’t know were there, it brings people together, makes us feel less alone. The way I see it is that when you create, it comes from a very deep part of you, where you find the courage to be honest, true, and vulnerable. It’s quite an intimate process, really.”
“You see this little glimpse of what it looks like to be human, and I think there is a lot of hope in that. Because somewhere in there, you find something precious and personal and full of wonder. Especially when you share with others, it’s like saying, ‘Hey, I feel that, too.’ And I think art and music and anything that comes from that personal place have helped me to embrace the messy parts that come with being alive. They’ve helped me be OK with my feelings and my thoughts, and to find beauty even in the brokenness and the pain.”
Check out some of her minimalist creations in the gallery below.
