Sometimes, the path you thought you were on turns out to be a dead end. That can be troubling, but when it happens, it's usually because another path, maybe the right one, is making itself seen.
That's what happened to photographer and artist Kylli Sparre. She studied for years to be a ballet dancer, but eventually discovered that even after all that training and hard work, dancing wasn't the right choice.
But that left her with a lot of creativity — and nowhere to channel it. And then she discovered photography and image manipulation. "I never looked back," she says.
Today, she's creating beautiful, dreamlike images featuring herself, but these aren't your typical "selfies."
They're haunting, surreal images that meld different scenes into strange and magical worlds, suggesting deeper meanings.
Take a look for yourself and enter her magical world. What do you think of her portraits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
[H/T: Colossal 1, 2]
Using traditional photography and digital manipulation, Kylli, who goes by the moniker "Sparrek" online, creates these vivid, dreamy worlds.
She also often uses herself as the model, creating a character to inhabit her strange worlds.
She uses props and costumes to create her scenes physically, and then tailors, combines, and hones them digitally.
Without even saying a word, and sometimes without even a title, she manages to create a mood and an atmosphere that tells its own story, but still lets the viewer draw their own conclusions.
Looking at them, it's hard not to start coming up with a story or a character.
Of course, when you look at them and try to imagine what they're about, you might just be revealing something about your own thoughts.
You can also see Kylli's background in dance shine through her graceful poses.
Each photo has its own unique air of mystery, beauty, and fragility.
Of her own work, Kylli says that "they come from my thoughts, observations, and experiences."
"I desire to look below the surface and hear the unsaid words," she says.
She describes her images as "memories that never happened."
You can see much more of her surreal photos on her website, as well as on Facebook and Flickr. You can also request prints if you'd like to own one yourself!
These photos are a peek into one artist's interior world. Maybe her work will inspire you to see your world a little differently.
Help others feel the inspiration by SHARING these beautiful photos.
