*Updated with Winner* Congratulations to EmmieBee! You won! Everyone else, please don’t forget that Modern Bird Designs is offering a 15% discount code WEARETHATFAMILY to expire June 3rd.
Africa changed me.
I know it sounds trite and overused, but it’s true. It’s not just a slogan or a great t-shirt logo, it’s my mantra.
I don’t feel the same on the inside in little ways-like mindless shopping and even in bigger areas like faith and the future.
I don’t ever want to forget being there: the faces I met, the smells of the city, the feeling of God coming near.
I have a beaded giraffe on my keychain that a Compassion child made. I have a bowl on my kitchen counter that I bought in the market. I have a hole in my heart from the piece I left in Africa.
When Modern Bird Designs asked me if they could make me a piece of art, I knew I wanted a part of my Africa journey on my wall:
Instead of choosing a picture of a child we already sponsor, I chose to capture Paris, a child needing a sponsor.
Isn’t it amazing??
This is hanging in my house as a constant reminder to be her voice:
And a lucky reader will win one too today! Modern Bird Studios is generously offering one reader a 12″ x 12″ custom piece (valued at $215)!
How it works:
Each work is a one-of-a-kind, original studio piece created with a combination of digital, hand, and painting processes on an Oak composite. We take your photograph, and break it down into a two-color image, which results in abstract shapes that make up the form. We then choose two contrasting colors to create the painting. The result is a marriage between technology and traditional painting to create a totally hip urban-style art piece that enriches your home.
To enter, tell me what you would capture and hang on your wall. Your comment is your entry.
*Open to the lower 48 states
*15% discount code WEARETHATFAMILY to expire ONE week after the contest ends
*Previous contest winners are not eligible to enter.
This giveaway ends on Thursday.
Wow! The new site design is fantastic!
Love the art by Modern Bird Studios, too! Of course, I would have to capture my 2 boys, as they are the sweetest things I could ever look at and I have only 1 small picture on display at the house right now.
Thanks for the chance to win! m
If it would be possible I would like to use a picture of me and my mom. She passed away unexpectedly last summer and I miss terribly. Your print is beautiful. I hope I win!
I’d have to capture my 2 boys, of course. And I’d love to have a beautiful piece of custom artwork in my home.
My husband and I have been married 25 years. I would love to surprise him with this gift on our anniversary to capture us!
Our daughter is adopted, and I would get the picture of the 3 of us…the 1st time we met her! Our 1st family picture. A total reminder of God’s faithfullness through our adoption procoess.
I would love a picture of my son and daughter together! What a wonderful giveaway!
These pictures are so unique. I think I would pick a picture of my daughter in the garden.
I would capture a picture of my late mother with one or more of my children.
That is just beautiful. I would get a picture of our only child. My sweet baby boy because I know he is growing up so fast and these days I will want to remember.
I’d probably do a fun picture of my girls playing, in pink and white, so it could hang in their room (when they end up sharing). Thanks!
I’d go for a picture of me and my amazing husband – so taken for granted at times, so precious to me nonetheless. Now we have to find a good picture of us…without three kids in the foreground.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Karen
I’ve got a picture of my 4 kids that I think would look great with this treatment. What a special giveaway!
I just saw art like this made by an old acquaintance the other day and was wanting to have one made. I would have one done of my son, then others for the rest of our children as they come.
Our 2 daughters have been through so much in the past 20 months that we can describe complex medical things no parent should have to. And yet they are both healthy and if you watch them play you would never know anything was wrong.
Time to celebrate that!
I would capture a picture of the 2 of them playing.
I have a pic of me and my baby, taken over my shoulder as I was kissing his little chubby cheek. I love that picture. Would love to see it done in this style.
I would have a picture of my daughter. It occurs to me lately that her childhood is slipping away. I love who she is becoming, but I don’t want to forget who she is now.
Wow, what a BEAUTIFUL piece of art you have!! I love it!
I guess I would capture the picture of my oldest daughter holding her baby sister for the very first time. It’s one of my favorite pictures because it captures what was in my heart in that very moment…I was just so overjoyed to have been given two daughters, sisters…
That is SO COOL! I have a great picture of my girls being silly that I’d love to see in this medium. Thanks for letting us know about this!
I would capture a picture of our life here in Singapore…so many great memories!
What amazing artwork! I would probably want my sweet daughter
I would have to choose a favorite picture of my son. That would be the hard part!
The best picture of my kids, or of my family. Whichever I liked best.
Beautiful photo! I would have to do some kind of family picture, most definitely. Family is #1!
I think I would choose a picture of the day my daughter officially became my daughter! Thanks for having a giveaway!
I love that! It’s so beautiful! I would love one of my boys. They are my world.
I have a fabulous photo of my mom from the 50′s that I would have done. She’s in a cocktail dress looking just like a movie star. I would love to have a memory of her for our house.
I would like to put Elisabeth from No Greater Love in for the giveaway. Her son Charlie, who is adopted, just had a successful heart surgery and has the most precious smile on his face.Charlie has a little something extra special about him, he has Down Syndrome. A great reminder of Gods love, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, goodness, and healing. Yeah God!!
Sorry..that is Elisabeth from No Greater Gift.. : ) Thanks..have an awesome day wrapped in His loving arms.
Definately my children right now! They are 12/10? and 6. I would love to keep them at these ages.
I would pick a picture of my kids. They are 8 and 5. Thanks!
I would want to capture my children now. It’s such a beautiful time in our lives as the boys are in love with their little sis.
Oh, Kristen, I have a picture from a mission trip to Honduras … very similar to yours of you and Paris … of me with a little girl in an orphanage there. Sadly, these children, though they live in an orphanage, cannot be adopted … their parents are unable to care for them but, due to pride, refuse to allow them to be adopted, especially by an American. It broke my heart … but also made my heart to sing to talk in my limited Spanish and their limited English about their favorite Disney princesses and how much Jesus loves them. I’d love to have that picture done in this same manner.
I would definitely choose an image of my children… we are waiting on our second daughter from China and would love to have all 5 captured in one of these amazing pieces of art when we are home! I love your story of Africa- China changed me. To be honest… I didn’t want to come the first time we went. Wonder how I will feel this time when I go.
Blessings to you!
It would have to be a picture of my children. My oldest will be a senior in the fall. My time of major influence in their lives is quickly passing.
Awesome artwork and photo!
I would have to pick the photo on my blog header of an orphan in Liberia, West Africa named Lucky. Whenever I look at the photo, it reminds me why I’m here in Liberia, loving on orphans. And, you can’t help but look at her huge smile and smile!
I have a picture of my daughters that I would love to see created into this work of art. God had plans for my HUsband and I as we waited for children. 12 years after marriage the first arrived, and 20 months after that the 2nd. IT is so amazing to me that I wanted to be a wife and mother my whole life, and now 8 years into being a mother, I find myself struggling to remember that this is such a blessing. I get frustrated and tired, worried and confused, and not the mother I dreamed I would be. With this work of Art, it would be a reminder to me of hte responsibility that I have
I would hang a picture of our family… thanks for the opportunity
I would love to win this! I haven’t taken the picture yet, but it is clear in my mind. This summer we are adopting a baby. I would love to take a picture of my 5 year old son holding his new baby brother.
I would love to frame a priceless picture that I have of my kids – they can be so crazy, but so cute at the same time!
Oh. man. This would be a hard decision. But I’d likely use a great picture of my boys. They are my happiness!
if i could wait to redeem my winnings (on the off-chance that I win, that is!) i would love a print of our new little bundle! i’m quite sure he or she was be absolutely adorable and worthy of a huge piece of modern art! we have a big canvas print of our family made from a picture taken last summer. i splurged on it because i loved the picture and was under the impression that it was of our complete family . . . but now #6 is on the way and we are so excited, but it would be nice to have something extra-special of this little one since he or she isn’t in the big family picture (although, admittedly I do look a tad pregnant . . . but I assure you I wasn’t. It’s just plain old fat!) and that big family canvas will probably be hanging above the piano for quite some time.
thanks!
blessings,
shana
i would capture a family photo- my stepdaughter is about to graduate college and head to college and my son is about to start preschool. what a great time to capture our family, as is, before everyone starts their new endevors.
I would probably have one done of my girls….
Your portrait is amazing! What a great way to remember your trip….and your changed heart.
Thanks for the chance!
I would love to have a photo taken of my boyfriend and I (while currently pregnant) to have a for a keepsake of our first baby
I’m new to your blog, was directed here b/c I “like” Modern Bird Studios on fb, and of course I want to win the giveaway! (I’m thinking a sweet picture of my 2 kids, who challenge me to be more, be better, every day, is what I would go with.) So now I HAVE to go read your previous blog posts, to hear about the trip to Africa
I’ve read MckMama’s story, Jessica from the Mom Creative, and Kelly’s. Such beatiful stories, of ways we can all help those in need.
Thanks for the giveaway!
LOVE this! I think I would want to capture a photo of my husband and me~or possibly one of my children together. The possibilities are endless!!
I would definitely capture a picture of my kids when they were babies. They’re laying next to each other in diapers… it’s the cutest picture.
What a wonderful way to capture a moment!
I would do a picture of bothof my kids when we were in Chicago. I just love how it turned out!! I would also love to one of each kid, gotta love wishful thinking though right!
I’d love to capture my family on the day we decided to bring home 2 girls from Ukraine instead of 1. We took both of the girls to the park and had our “new” family picture taken. I love looking back on that day and seeing how God has worked in amazing ways over the last 3 years!
Hmm, I have an awesome picture of me and Ethan that needs a home; and that would be an amazing home. Or, I have some pictures of little man by himself, and a great one of hubby and little man. How would I choose?!
(And Thursday is my birthday!!)
I would use a picture of my mom with all 4 of us kiddos. It’s an ancient picture, adwe recently rediscovered it when the woman who took it regave it to my mom when my older brother got married a bit ago. The picture was taken when my younger brother entered 1st grade and allof us were in school. It’s her favorite picture, even with 2 weddings and an ordination later.It’s her favorite family portrait.
I am having a very difficult time deciding! Would I pick my mom posed as an archer in an old USU newspaper well before I was born? It would be awesome as a reminder of my mom who I miss something terrible. Or would I pick that picture of my son Aaron and his wife at his graduation from FLETC? What a special time for them. I knew they would be starting a new life soon far away in Texas. Their excitement shows in their faces, and my heart was already missing them! Or would it be a picture of Matt and I starting our new life together? I guess I will just have to have all three. With finances being what they are today 1 of them free would get me started, and the other 2 well….a dollar a week gets me there this time next year! Thanks for the opportunity
I would love to capture so many moments like this. I would possibly get a picture of my boyfriend and I..or of my neice and nephew who I adore! The possibilities are endless.
i would get a picture of my boys done. i would love to win, this is a great giveaway!!
i love your blog, BTW. i’ve been challenged and inspired. thank you. keep up the great work!
blessings,
Sara
I have a photo of my husband and I walking down the aisle on our wedding day right after we said “I DO”. We both can’t stop smiling! Of the hundreds of pictures taken that day, I would love to capture this one. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is June 30th and I would love to give it to him as a wonderful memory.
I took a family photo last Christmas as all 25 of my family members were present. I live far away from them and I would love to have something so special to hang on my wall.
i would have one of my husband, daughter, and myself. we don’t have but a handful of us together and it would be so great to have one of us and to have some amazing art in our house!
Yours is so beautiful! The smiles are amazing. I would do myself and my new husband dancing. This is my second marriage and the joy of having a “dancing man” is unbelievable! I would love to have that captured by Modern Bird.
I would love a piece of art like that with my 3 little boys on it!
My kids and my dog!
I would love to have a Modern Bird piece of my daughter! Their work is amazing!
love.love.love the piece you chose!!
I would use a picture of my two boys (2 and 3) playing the guitar with their daddy. He is in the Army and away from us a lot and so we really cherish the moments together and playing the guitar together (one guitar for all three of them!!) is one of their favorite things to do
Than ks for the opportunity!
Love their artwork! I would choose either a family portrait or one of just my girls. They are 3 and 4 and I never want to forget how sweet and innocent they are right now!
I would capture my three kids with my mom–having battled stage three breast cancer and won, every day is a gift and due to her fight with cancer she realized how to love even more.
I would like one with my sister, my mom, and myself. We are all so close and it would be awesome.
I love this. I would want one done first of my husband and I, but then would need to get one done of each of our children. WHat a beautiful way to capture a memory. I love it!
I would get one of me holding my son for the first time.
I have been trying like crazy to win one of these! I really want to get this fabulous picture of my husband and son made for him for father’s day
alysha_ray@HOtmail.com
I would love to have a piece made from a photo of our pet dog, an airedale terrier named Emma. It would be perfect for my boys’ room. thanks!
I think it would be a group shot of my girls. All grown up, but still my girls.
I would capture a picture of me and my husband loving eachother to put in out room. Or i would take one of my children kissing eachother and hang that in the hallway.
What a beautiful reminder to you and what amazing artwork. Thanks for giving us a chance to win…
I would get a picture of my two children!
I would love to win and give it to our friends as a wedding gift. They got married in a rush in order for the groom’s grandmother to make it to the ceremony but she died just a few days before the wedding. It was so sad but they went on with the ceremony in her honor.. she wrote a piece for them to be read in their wedding. It was so beautiful… I would love to win and give them such a unique gift to bless them during this special time in their lives.
I absolutely LOVE Modern Birds work!!! I want one soooooo bad!!! I would either do one of all three of my kids, or I have a really cool pic of my daughter blowing a dandelion. I think it would be pretty neat in their style of art!!
I know exactly the picture I would use! It is a picture of me with 2 of the students I met in China. It is of the 3 of us just before we rode horseback (!) halfway up a mountain and then hiked the remaining part. A print of it sits on my desk in my office at work.
Gorgeous. I love the piece you selected and I love their work. I would pick between a candid picture of my husband and I and a picture I have of my two girls sharing a secret.
I also follow Modern Bird on twitter @txelz
I’ve been loving Modern Bird for awhile now…already became a fan of their FB page for previous contests. I’m almost obsessed with choosing a photo to capture! I think I’d have to choose one of my baby boy – he has rocked my world. I never could have known how amazing it would feel to watch him explore the world. His developing independence is bittersweet.
Oh my gosh, such a hard decision. It comes down to a few different pics. I have a wonderful photo of me kissing my hubby on the cheek. I have a beautiful shot of my baby with his great-great-grandma before she passed away last month. I’m sure I’d find more. Tough choice!
I would love a picture of myself and my husband dancing together. I would frame the lyrics to the song “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray (1st dance at our wedding) and present them to my husband for our 28th anniversary in September.
Oh how beautiful! I would probably choose to have one made of my husband and me. We just passed our 1st anniversary!
I think I would love to see a picture captured that was taken of my son and husband, moments after my husband stepped off the bus on his return from iraq. I love the photo so much and it reminds me of the deep love that develops between a child and parent when seperated. It is a moment that I will always treasure.
I would hang up our first family photo. It’s such a beautiful image that I want memorialized forever.
I would love to have a picture of my baby boy – I can never have enough pictures of him!
Wow… this is too cool. I would have a picture of my family. God is good and has blessed me with an incredible family.
Oh yes please – these are amazing! I would probably do our favorite photo of our daughter at about 3 months old staring into hubbies eyes. The connection that has blossomed between them (daughter is now approaching 6yrs old) was evident even then.
I would love to win this piece! I would chose a picture of my two kids. What a great way to capture a moment in their lives
I am going to have to go with the majority and say my kids. Or if I won something as amazing as this, I just might have to take a new picture!
I would capture my 6 month old!
What a beautiful photo! I would capture the recent picture of my two girls (2.5yrs & 5mo) with my mom, who is battling spinal cancer. They love their Grandma Sue!
I would love to have a picture of my husband and I, all smiles on our wedding day-our 5 year anniversary is right around the corner!
I think I would probably use a photo of my husband and I somewhere in Europe.
I would do a picture of my kids. I have a picture of my 2 year old kissing my newborn…its so cute
I would choose a photo from India — either one of my hubs’ mission trips, or the trip to meet our daughter.
I would definitely choose a picture of my daughter. Not sure exactly which one though, so many cute ones to choose from!
Already follow Modern Bird on Twitter! @butterfly1979_
I’m getting married in a moneht, so I’d definitely go with a photo of my fiance and I. Thanks for the great opportunity!
Already like Modern Bird on FB!
i would love to see my younger brother’s brilliant smile captured in this style to bless my momma’s grieving heart. he is gone Home but his amazing smile would look great in black and white on her wall.
I would love to do this with a picture from my wedding day! What an incredible idea!
I would love my kiddos on a fabulous Modern Bird work of art. I heart you Modern Bird! And I am a FB fan to boot!
I would put a picture of my fiance and I. We are in desparate need of something for our bedroom walls, and a black and white Modern Bird would be PERFECT!
Family!
I would use the picture of Ian, Casey and I on Christmas morning this past year we are all snuggled up on the couch and the morning sun is streaming over us.
I’d love one of these of my two kids together. Love it!
I would do the first “family” picture we had taken with our foster daughter in the NICU.
I’d love to win this! I’d probably use a picture of my 3 boys together, but might also choose one of all 5 of us…
Great giveaway! Thanks!
One of my 2 year old daughter riding horse – what a great memory that we’ve made!
I would have to capture either my two boys or a photo of one of Cal-Fire’s engines for my boys room. Daddy works for Cal-Fire, so they would be super excited to have an engine haning on their wall.
I would have a picture of my two boys together. They are 3 and 6 and the best of friends.
Your picture is absolutely beautiful! I bet you will cherish that forever and ever. I have a gazillion pictures that I would want to use for that. I’m thinking either one of all of my kids or maybe one of just my husband and I.
I’m not 100% sure what I would capture….I would love a print of my boys, but I’d also love a print of my dad (who died 10 years ago). I guess if I win I can narrow it down then…maybe LOL I love how your print turned out!
I love that! What a great, great idea. I would have my favorite picture of my family done. It is from a very special trip we took last year and I have loved that picture ever since. This would be perfect!
These are gorgeous! I would love to have a picture of us at the mountains redone. It was an inspiring trip and I would love to have something beautiful like this to commemorate it.
I would love to have a picture done with my husband and our little girl!!
I am torn as to what I would get! It’s between two pictures…one is a great picture of my son walking away from me and the other is a picture of my beloved cat who passed away…decisions!
That is lovely art work! This past spring break my children saw the ocean (OK, Galveston) for the first time. I have a picture of the two of them standing together, staring out at the see about ankle deep in the water. It always makes me think of the possibilities they have with each experience they gain.
My dream pic to capture would be of our family when we are finally all together, all four of us in our first family snapshot! We have a little girl waiting in Russia for us, so I would love, love to have that captured.
Other than that, I think it would also be fabulous to take a snapshot of my hubs and I on our Ten year anniversary (this week!) and use that.
Oh I adore Modern Bird Art!!! Love it! I’ve been wanting to win for a long time. Hope this is my turn!
There are so many pictures I have to chose from. Me & J, me and the nephews, me and the little one I babysit (adore him!), Paris (the city)…. so many options!
I love your art. What a great way remember those children always. I would love to remember our vacation spot, because too soon my kiddos will be grown up. Thank you so much.
Bolivia, SA changed me. And gave me a love for missionaries who labor in the front lines of this battle for souls – so I would have to choose a picture of their children to give to them.
Your picture is beautiful Kristen. I would love to have one done with my children. They are growing up so fast and it would be a beautiful way to capture them together.
I love the picture you chose.
I would do one of the 3 girls.
How cool! I would use one of my artsy photos of my kids, ages 2 and 4.
I would pick a picture of my mom and I. I’m so thankful to have her as my mom!
I would love an image of my two kiddos….although one of them isn’t due until October!
Definitely a my kids. I’d love to capture them as they are right now in such a beautiful and unique way!
i am leaving soon for a trip to Haiti. i would love a picture that was taken from my trip, as a reminder as well, to be their voice & not to forget.
I would definitely use a picture of my kids in all their innocence and cuteness!!!
What a great giveaway! I love the photograph you chose for your art piece. I’d love to have a picture of my 3 kiddos to display in such a graphic art piece. *fingers crossed* ~Kirsten
I would have a picture done of my 3 sweet boys
thanks!
I would choose a picture of our new baby girl (4 months old tomorrow!) and her amazing, generous, loving dad. This would be a surprise father’s day gift for him. A pic of the little monkey girl and her dad (or maybe the three of us as a new family?) in a Modern Bird likeness would be mind-blowing.
What a precious (and dramatically beautiful) keepsake! If I were the lucky winner, I’d choose a family shot of the diXymister and I with our three piXies.
oh my goodness – i’ve been following modern bird for a while now but your piece might be my favorite ever! so very beautiful! ah – love it!
i would love to get a recent photo of my daughter poppy made into an mb painting – she’s been walking for a couple of months now and it’s still so exciting for both of us – i’d love to have one of her running in our backyard wearing a dress – pure baby joy!
cheers!
~emily bilbrey
minotaursdoll@yahoo.com
How wonderful! I love yours, and I would love to have one of my two beautiful babies.
I love their art! I wold choose a pic of my son.
My family
WOW! How truly beautiful!!!
I would capture a photo of my three babies.
Thanks for the give away!
I would love to capture the faces of the precious two children (4 1/2 year old and 5 month old) who joined our family 6 weeks ago!
I would love a picture done of my son returning home from the Navy. He does get so lonely and my husband and I do not get to see our son very often. What a wonderful picture that would be to look at to remind us that he is never really too far away. I adore Modern Bird Designs and hope someday to own a piece. I believe that my heart would definitely skip a beat each time I looked at it. Thanks so very much for hosting a giveaway.
Dennie D.
Ooh, I’d choose a picture of my girls hugging eachother! would love to win this!
I LOVE Modern Bird! I would have them capture my daughters at one and three-I just love their ages now and would love to have a art piece that freezes that moment in their lives!
I would capture the season of our life right now. My husband is attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The campus is beautiful. A picture our family and friends fellowshiping on campus would be a great way to always remember to be have a servants heart, and to rejoice in the season of life the Lord is blessing us with right now!!!
I would love to win this!!!
I would want a picture of our family for our family room. There is nothing on the walls right now, this would be a great way to start decorating that space.
My son was in a near-death accident when I was 39 weeks pregnant. I have a photo of him, holding his sister born two weeks later, in a wheelchair that was one of the first moments he smiled. I want to capture that beauty forever. Capture the way our hearts were – full of love and grace and thankfulness. Full of faith & love.
Follower on Twitter — @MomNom
That a tough one, I’m sure it would be some photo of our four kids together.
That’s (sorry)
I think I would go with a picture of my husband and I…our marriage is a work of art that God is continually working on and perfecting.
This is hard. But I would pick one of all 3 of my boys together. Looking innocent like they never fight…
Wow, that is incredible! If only I could be so lucky…;)
-Ashley