They say looking at something pleasing — like a beautiful painting, or your favorite animal — can lower your stress levels significantly.
And as many of us remember from our school days, few things are as stressful as exam week. Focusing so tightly on just one subject can get frustrating, and leave us craving some kind of outlet.
That was exactly what engineering student and artist Andreas Lie was feeling during his exams last year. After concentrating for so long on formulas, he felt he needed a creative outlet, and so he started creating art prints.
Though he used Photoshop instead of traditional photography, his use of double exposure shows that just because something is a classic art technique doesn't mean an artist can't put a new spin on it — just the way this artist brings classic embroidery into some very surreal places.
Check out some of his work below and appreciate the quiet majesty of the animals and landscapes, and the beauty of nature.
What do you do to relieve stress? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE!
(H/T: BoredPanda)
Using the natural beauty of his native Norway as inspiration, Andreas used the well-known technique of double exposures to create dreamy images of animals and landscapes merged into one mystical-seeming being.
He experiments with different animals and landforms, though many of them are native to Norway and northern climates.
He'd had some experience with using Photoshop from a graphic design course, but to perfect his craft, he says it took many hours of work.
You'll notice that he plays with the orientation of the landscapes to best fit the shape of the animals and the textures and colors of their fur and feathers.
The textures of the leaves, rocks, and mountains almost blend perfectly with the markings on the animals.
Sometimes, like with this raccoon, the colors serve as a contrast to the animal's natural coloring and seem all the more striking.
And while bigger, bulkier animals might be easier to work with, a thin, delicate animal like this fawn looks just as effective in a ghostly way.
Other images get more personal, like this portrait of a bear.
And yes, he uses human animals, too!
Just like with other animals, the land and the model's features are blended into one image, creating a piece that's part portrait and part landscape.
But animals have remained his most popular pieces, and their images can be printed on T-shirts and bags, as well as on paper and canvas for traditional wall art.
Their dreamy quality makes them feel timeless.
And the combination of the animal's form and the land reminds us of all the places on Earth that animals call home.
And they also remind us that some of those homes, and the animals in them, are in precarious positions and need help.
Andreas has a deep love and appreciation for animals and nature, and this art, he says, allows him to express that to the world.
You can see more of Andreas' work on his Instagram and Facebook, including some artwork branching out from the nature theme, and you can also purchase prints, T-shirts, tote bags, and more on his online shop.
And if someone you know is wondering how to get creative using classic techniques, be sure to SHARE this with them!
