Rohini Howell
Los Angeles, CA
Born and raised in New Zealand, I grew up in a loving home. I can’t say that I ever acted out dramatically even in the "rebellious" years. I’ve always been very conscientious and cautious, and my indecisive, people pleasing, perfectionism, often steered me away from destructive things. On the other hand, that is what also kept me from discovering and exploring who I really was, because I chose "security". I was always very shy and quiet, a deep thinker and rarely verbalized my thoughts or dreams but I was a dreamer, big time. I had things to look forward to, a great job in my field (zoology at the time) and I could still explore my artistic dreams (as a hobby, not overly ambitious by any means). As much as I tried to be happy with this, I just felt emptiness with my pursuits, they were purposeless, and they weren’t exploring all the potential and vision that I felt in me.
I have two times in my life that where significant in my journey with God. Growing up in a Christian family I believed in God but didn’t really have a walking, talking relationship with Him. I didn’t know about the Holy Spirit. When I was around 11 years old the existence of a God who knew ME became real, Jesus was literally not just in the past. It wasn’t some big event just a real, still, moment in my room on my bed. Like I woke up out of a dream, I just vividly remember everything being more alive than ever before. The leaves were greener and the sun was warmer. I was full of joy knowing the Creator of the Universe was for me. The second time was in my late teens when I began to experience the Holy Spirit. Growing up in a conservative church the Holy Spirit was seldom spoken of but through steps of faith out of my shyness, insecurity and fear, I started to explore my passion for dance. Fast forward a few years and I began dancing internationally with a group called GX. I was able to discover the reality of what God had in store for me, how exciting, adventurous and beyond boring it was; Seeing miracles happen, never going without, and letting the Spirit lead me in words and action.
Through my life, so far, I see how God has called out specific seasons to develop different parts of my character, faith and dreams from leaving jobs, relationships, my home country and my comfort zone altogether. His faithfulness never failed, with every step of obedience, no matter how hard it was. I have been shown how serious He is about the arts and the dreams of other artists out there. I know my art is not to be hidden but to be a light on a hill, and it was in the meaning of my name all my life (Rohini "light in the darkness, Moon/star"). I needed to trust in Him and not retreat to my comfortable plan B’s.
I have two times in my life that where significant in my journey with God. Growing up in a Christian family I believed in God but didn’t really have a walking, talking relationship with Him. I didn’t know about the Holy Spirit. When I was around 11 years old the existence of a God who knew ME became real, Jesus was literally not just in the past. It wasn’t some big event just a real, still, moment in my room on my bed. Like I woke up out of a dream, I just vividly remember everything being more alive than ever before. The leaves were greener and the sun was warmer. I was full of joy knowing the Creator of the Universe was for me. The second time was in my late teens when I began to experience the Holy Spirit. Growing up in a conservative church the Holy Spirit was seldom spoken of but through steps of faith out of my shyness, insecurity and fear, I started to explore my passion for dance. Fast forward a few years and I began dancing internationally with a group called GX. I was able to discover the reality of what God had in store for me, how exciting, adventurous and beyond boring it was; Seeing miracles happen, never going without, and letting the Spirit lead me in words and action.
Through my life, so far, I see how God has called out specific seasons to develop different parts of my character, faith and dreams from leaving jobs, relationships, my home country and my comfort zone altogether. His faithfulness never failed, with every step of obedience, no matter how hard it was. I have been shown how serious He is about the arts and the dreams of other artists out there. I know my art is not to be hidden but to be a light on a hill, and it was in the meaning of my name all my life (Rohini "light in the darkness, Moon/star"). I needed to trust in Him and not retreat to my comfortable plan B’s.
Now those dreams have become a reality. I have just recently graduated from one of 3 different Atelier’s and Fine Art Academies that I have had the opportunity to study at, either short term or long term. I had dreamed to visit France, New York and Los Angeles, and now I know where my dream fits into a bigger vision God has for the arts. I had dreamed of going to Paris/France and experiencing the food, culture and romanticness that every girl dreams of. New York was a city that I also dreamed of seeing and visiting. I had been to Los Angeles a number of times but it had a feeling of a home away from home with close friends living there, and such a great artistic vibe... These dreams came true as well as visiting Israel!! I wasn't able to just visit France and New York, I was able to study and work at the best Art Academies there, and make long lasting connections in the art world that I know I will be able to connect again and again with in the overall international vision I have.
LA has not only been the place where God has fulfilled my dream for long term Art study but I have a real community and home here. What's even more, I stepped out in faith for God's call into the arts and He brought me my now husband right here in LA and so LA is my home now. This is were I have studied and graduated from art school, gotten married and were we have started our lives together! My vision is for Global unity and excellence in an industry that has been underestimated, undervalued and destructive to artists as well as used globally in a destructive way through political propaganda and defaming people groups. There’s a lot of unknowns and hard days ahead, in my current transition from student to independent artist, but one thing I know is that God never fails and He has some super exciting things in store for all the artists of the world!
LA has not only been the place where God has fulfilled my dream for long term Art study but I have a real community and home here. What's even more, I stepped out in faith for God's call into the arts and He brought me my now husband right here in LA and so LA is my home now. This is were I have studied and graduated from art school, gotten married and were we have started our lives together! My vision is for Global unity and excellence in an industry that has been underestimated, undervalued and destructive to artists as well as used globally in a destructive way through political propaganda and defaming people groups. There’s a lot of unknowns and hard days ahead, in my current transition from student to independent artist, but one thing I know is that God never fails and He has some super exciting things in store for all the artists of the world!
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