Once upon a writer

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been creative, but writing was more my thing back then. Long before the existence of blogging platforms such as Multiply and MySpace, I used to have a lot of notebooks where I wrote my own short stories or series as well as a collection of poems. Those notebooks were then passed around the classroom and to the next-door classrooms to be read by friends —some would leave their comments on the comment pages I left blank in each book. My writing journey continued to some publications and writer/contributor/journalist occupations later on. My love of writing was bolstered by my fascination with anything paper and stationery. Yep! You bet, I keep a personal diary, collect journals and stationery, and have penpals.

Accidental illustrator

My occupation as a writer somehow made me an accidental illustrator. It happened twice to be exact. I was part of a children's book project and later a curriculum project for young people when they couldn’t find illustrators and somehow they made me pick up a pencil and start drawing. There you have it!

Drawing has become one of my things since then, and I started to learn how to paint. When I moved to the UK at the end of 2013, I was involved in facilitating art workshops as part of my work. However, music workshops was more my responsibility then and art was not my main gig. Only recently I decided to reconsider art. This year, I am excited to venture more in art, to retell things I found worth proclaiming, and to grow my skill that I may create beauty that glorifies my Lord.

I work mainly with oil and watercolour, and I am committed to omit solvents and toxic mediums from my studio and works.

Exhibitions, books, and more...

January 2025 — Selected for a group exhibition: “New Dawn” at Fox Yard Gallery, Ipswich, UK 

February to March 2025 — Selected for a group exhibition with publication: “In Solitude (Issue VIII)” at Meta Space Gallery, UK 

April 2025 — Delivered cupcake painting workshop for kids, Indonesia

July 2025 — Writing challenge finisher for an anthology, Indonesia

Art Bio

Christian Artist

“We were free to create, as long as we never forgot that we are slaves to Jesus.”
― Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible

As I tried to understand what it means to be an artist, I found myself on the brink, wondering if I ever would be one and if my art is valid. But through prayers and reading some good books, the Lord in his grace has given me clarity on where I should stand and what my Artist Statement should look like.

I believe art is a projection of the artist’s worldview and certainly mine showcases my faith as a Bible-believing Christian who strives to live life biblically. I pray that the Lord will be glorified through my art.

 

Let’s Collaborate 

letter@filliabarden.com |  instagram.com/filliabarden

 

I am a Christian artist who gives the ultimate credit to the Creator of all — my Redeemer. My works retell stories of human life I observe as a sojourner on earth. From the overlooked mundane things to the most complex strivings of mankind, they behold precious testimonies of sovereign divine works I would like to treasure in my (he)art. I glean wisdom from the Bible, other literature I read, and conversations I have with beautiful minds.

Fillia Barden, Indonesian-born artist in Wolverhampton, UK.