At last I can contribute to Lisa's idea of documenting why we blog -
I used to paint pictures of folder paper...
And I have always loved the paper fortune tellers that kids make. These are universal games across the world and are also known as Cootie Catchers…and in Slovakia they are called ‘Nebo Peklo’. I loved the name so picked it for the site. Months later I found out Nebo Peklo means ‘Heaven Hell’! (This made me love the name even more!). Not sure how others would pronounce it but in my head I say ‘N-eah-bo P-eah-klo’ = eah sounds like ‘yeah’.
Why I started it: Previously I lived in London with Gareth for 15 months and experienced some strange on/off depression (related to living in London) which led me to feel like I was losing my self and wiped out any creativity or motivation I had. Last Christmas we decided to move back to Glasgow and this was due to take place at the end of January. We celebrated our last Christmas in London and on January the 2nd I received a phone call from a family member which turned my world upside down. This was the start of the year which I can safely say has been the worst so far (in terms of bad luck). A week later still shaken from my bad news I returned to work and came home to find out that someone had kicked our front door into two pieces and had stolen (amongst other things) our new Christmas presents, jewellery, the watch I bought Gareth for his 30th birthday and my ibook!!
I never returned to work and moved back to Glasgow 2 weeks before we were due to leave.
Thankfully the only thing we had insured was my ibook. So in the months I spent back in Glasgow looking for a new job I started my blog. I originally started it as a means of bookmarking websites and designers that I liked and wanted to use the website as a visual lookbook. Then people started to comment on the site and I began corresponding with likeminded people from other parts of the world. And maybe it’s a bit cheesy to say, but I consider them my friends now, people I trust and respect. I can’t measure the encouragement I have received from visitors to Nebo Peklo and how it has motivated me and inspired me. I love to visit my favourite blogs and get moody when I don’t get the chance to sit down and visit them all. I have discovered so many new artists and designers by visiting my favourite blogs and have been so inpired by the personal work others create and have enjoyed watching people’s work develop over the months.
My website is an important part of my life now and the connections to other people it has enabled me to make, has given me back my enthusiasm, creativity, motivation, trust.
oh my goodness natalie, what a tremendous post; my heart ached in all different directions. what a start to the year you had. ugh. i bet you are glad it is over with! i will say though that you are the champion of it that is for sure. you came out on top! your work is SO inspiring to me and to so many others. and.... i am just thrilled about our collaborations! i am so glad to call you a friend {and with such similar tastes, yay!} and when i read your blog it brightens me in so many ways. thank you for blogging!!! i look forward to getting to know more about you & your work in 2006.
hugs, mav
Posted by: maria | December 15, 2005 at 11:31 PM
i second maria.... wow natalie... that is a really rough start to the year....
you are incredibly inspiring to so many of us - and i feel the same way about feeling grouchy when i don't get to read all my "pals" and comment... and look and learn and....
here's to 2006. thank you for this great post!
Posted by: lisa s | December 16, 2005 at 05:04 AM
great post natalie! feel the same way when i don't get to visit my blogs! interesting why we all blog - love this concept of a post, and yours is truly inspirational! i love visiting here and always find interesting links and not to mention your beautiful art!
Posted by: jan | December 17, 2005 at 06:04 PM
Hi Natalie, your reasons and my reasons for blogging turn out to be so similar. I wanted to comment today to tell you 2 things: I'm glad you survived the year from Hell and hope that Heaven comes around to your house soon. And 2) I love your paintings/sketches of folded paper. Beautifully done. Your blog is a good read - I've been checking it out for alittle while now and will continue. Good luck in this coming year to you!
Maureen
http://ravengrrl.blogspot.com
Posted by: RavenGrrl | December 17, 2005 at 07:40 PM
by the way natalie... i'm looking at those paintings some more... and i'm totally LOVING them. they are just stunning.
Posted by: lisa s | December 17, 2005 at 10:44 PM
I loved reading your "why I blog", it was wonderful. Its amazing how through blogs we can meet new friends who we care about SO much & its just great.
Posted by: Amanda Woodward | December 18, 2005 at 12:33 AM
Hello! I don't think that "nebo" means "heaven". At least in my language (slovene) the translation would be "sky". But I think your pronunciation is ok. Have a nice day!!
Posted by: Ulala | December 19, 2005 at 08:10 AM
Hello! I really like your folded paper paintings. Brilliant!
Posted by: chicadecanela | December 19, 2005 at 09:33 AM
i love love your paintings!
Posted by: k.cooper | January 02, 2006 at 12:23 AM
You made the right move mate, as much as K and I miss you both, you seem a lot happier and back to your old self in Glasgow.
..and you've inspired me to start my own, cheers!
Posted by: brewster | January 07, 2006 at 04:06 PM
What a great and inspiring post - hasn't blogging changed us all and inspired us all. I love it and I'm hooked! thanks again Jen
Posted by: Jen Leheny | January 31, 2006 at 10:23 AM
You definately made the right move back to Glasgow. There was a part of you that just seemed to be switched off or lost when you were living in London.
Seeing your creativity bloom once again makes me sure that London was stiffling you!
You know what a tough start I have had to 2006 and so taking inspiration from you I too have started my own Blog.
Posted by: Pamela | March 06, 2006 at 04:32 PM