Embedded Files
Northwestern GSRC (Gender and Sexuality Resource Center) Mural
This project was a joy for me to complete in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community on the Northwestern campus. Working with the center director, Matthew Abtahi, I was able to create a sketch of the mural and incorporate several ideas. These included the incorporation of the original Gilbert-Baker Pride Flag, connection to existing artistic elements of the space (five colored stripes along the walls), and the inclusion of a variety of identities. Ultimately, combining these elements I created a winding ribbon connecting to the existing elements in the space. I created one figure for each stripe on the Gilbert-Baker Pride Flag, each of these figures was painted in correlation to the colors of a specific group's pride flag. In this project, I was able to not only represent my community but also to develop my distinct graphic and colorful art style.
These illustrations/designs are pulled from my table top rpg Thanostos, a combination of the Underworld of Greek mythology, Mörk Borg death-metal style table-top games, and a dash of my approach to the afterlife with some comedy and satire drizzled in. These creations are a grand and exciting undertaking that allow me to explore my skills in layout-design, illustration, and overall storytelling. They also gave me crucial experience in design for book-layout, margin awareness, and color correction for print. All images were created in Photoshop and InDesign.
Thanostos Cover Image
Photoshop
The following two watercolor images are the beginnings of my next collection of works. They focus on physically representing the 4D relationships of all human connectivity, think the six degrees of separation idea. Every relationship takes up an amount of non-physical space that connects us all in perpetuity. The piece "Social Macro" is the idea of the larger, chaotic, endless intermingling of us all. The piece "Social Bubbles" is a simplification of this idea, exploring the overlapping relationships that formulate a single person, represented by each bubble. The idea is that my relationship is a single bubble, while mine and yours are two bubbles connected, however, that conjoined bubble exists in the same space as mine and your individual relatonships with our respective selves. This idea expands exponentially to all social groups and relationships we exist within throughout our lifetime.
Social Bubbles
Watercolor
Social Macro
Watercolor
The following images are from a simple study I conducted in black ink. I attempted to draw the same object (a leather hole-punch) in a variety of styles, techniques, and orientations. Through this exercise I was able to hone my skills on drawing an object in various orientations, altering style, utilizing contrast, and practicing simplicity to communicate an image. Many of these skills later became influential in my work in comics, as well as my general artistic style.
The repetition and exploration of my own forms of image processing was something that also solidified my trust in my own self-judgement. I found my own relationship with curves and lines that has arisen in my work repeatedly since then. For example, in my collection of mixed-media collage titled "Modern Reality", I saw a resurgence in these natural curves and patterns that are ingrained within my own hand.
"Punch Me" (Leather Hole Punch Study)
Ink
The following images are a collection of my other illustrative works.
The first group, "Ocean View", is a study of different sea creature's unique eye anatomy. I wanted to explore realism in a manner that wasn't as universally defined or perceived, while also injecting them with my own artistic style.
The second image, "Stanley", was an illustration created of objects relating to my high-school theatre director. Each object related to her person, such as a strict adherence to jelly bean portion sizes, and characterized her in an essence.
The third image, "Surprise", was the early origin of the social watercolor series above. It was a birthday gift for my friend who enjoyed my sketchbook watercolor exercises. It came from a foundation of exploring organic shapes, patterns, and color groupings.
"Down the Rabbit Hole" is a series of carved paper images layered to create an image with creative depth. It is an homage to Alice in Wonderland and allowed me to fully commit to my obsession with fine detail. The back is vellum to allow for multiple lighting options to highlight the layers of the piece.
Finally, "Storybook Illustration" is a quick visual study I did of my former place of work. I wanted to capture the building's essence and render it in a more whimsical manner. I enjoyed exploring various watercolor techniques and utilizing the paper's texture within the work.
Ocean View
Colored Pencil, Pen
Stanley
Watercolor, Ink
Surprise!
Watercolor, Ink
Down the Rabbit Hole
Paper, Ink, Vellum
Storybook Illustration
Watercolor, Colored Pencil, Ink
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse