Athletes and Art

Finding Inspiration from The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics in Paris is on my mind this morning. As I write, I am waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin in 30 minutes.

Back in 2022, when I was just getting started with digital collaging, I found a dynamic vintage black-and-white photograph online from the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales. (via Flickr’s The Commons)

V Harding, Lawn Tennis Country Carnival, Rushcutters Bay, January 1935. Photograph: Sam Hardy. / Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

My goals were twofold: to create a simple yet graphic collage and to practice matching colors using my favorite mid-century modern color palette. This was my first attempt.

Tennis. Digital Illustration by Stella Kalaw

I was ecstatic for a few minutes, but then doubt crept in. “Wait, that’s not a collage.” My inner critique was at it again.

I struggled to define what to call it. It likely falls into the digital illustration category, but I was uneasy with the word "illustration." I can draw rudimentarily by hand, but I certainly didn’t feel comfortable identifying as an illustrator.

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of labels, and the unnecessary dilemma was starting to curtail my desire to experiment further. Finally, I decided to stop ruminating. I told myself to keep an open mind and see where it would take me.

For several days, I created a number of variations and explored other subject matters. I chose two shades of blue and stuck with them. Somewhere along the way, I lost steam and set this direction aside.

Fast forward to this week. The buildup to the opening of the Olympics made me think of the tennis piece from two years ago. I also realized that I hadn’t pursued further mixing and matching colors from the mid-century modern palette as I originally intended.

So, I focused on creating new pieces featuring a range of athletes and finally called them digital illustrations. I figured I just needed to get over my insecurities and stand by the work, no matter how they’re labeled.

I am very pleased with how they turned out. The concept is simple yet effective. Choosing the right images was crucial and took the longest time, but the effort was worth it!

---

I watched the entire opening ceremony, cheering for the athletes drenched in the downpour as they flashed huge smiles and waved furiously at the crowd. I got teary-eyed every now and then, imagining the overwhelming obstacles each of them had to overcome to secure a spot in that barge along the Seine.

And wow! Paris absolutely pulled all the stops to give us one incredible opening ceremony. Unlike previous host cities, the creative minds behind the event thought outside the box, using the entire city as their stadium in the absence of a physical one. I loved all the visual details, from the red, blue, and white smoke and fireworks at the beginning of the parade of athletes to the laser show extravaganza of the Eiffel Tower and the suspended Olympic cauldron launched from the Tuileries Gardens. I also loved French Mezzo-Soprano Axelle Saint-Cirel who sang the French national anthem atop The Grand Palais and Celine Dion’s rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic, “L’Hymne à l’amour” to close the ceremony. I recently watched Celine’s documentary on Amazon Prime, and knowing her pain, suffering, and the seemingly insurmountable challenges she had overcome to give such an outstanding performance brought me to my feet, clapping with tears in my eyes.

I wish all the best for the athletes. Only a few will bring home medals, but the journey they undertook to be in Paris is already a success and a dream fulfilled.

As always, let’s meet each other in the comment section below. Let me know if you enjoyed any of the digital illustrations and/or share your favorite moments during the opening ceremonies in Paris.

See you all next Sunday!

Thank you for inviting me to join you every Sunday in your inbox. I am grateful and appreciative for spending a small part of your day with me. If you have the means to support Sundays with Stella, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Those who contribute financially will ensure that this place of inspiration, creativity, and meaning remains free and open to all.

Subscribe

ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT SUNDAYS WITH STELLA

I've listened to your requests and created a support page on my website. Now you can contribute to 'Sundays with Stella' in any amount using your credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Your generosity is truly appreciated!

You Might Also Enjoy these Posts about Paris: