Illustration
An entire world encompassed in just one still image, Nadia manages to create some of the most beautiful narrative scenes fueled by the inspiration she gains from all around her.
Operation
The narrative behind this piece is a personal one, but something I have found many can relate to. When I was little, my mom went back to school in order to get a higher paying job to support our family. She has been tirelessly working within the medical field ever since then, yet the occupation has never been something she is fond of. Seeing her work as a child and now as an adult, seeing and hearing about the poor working conditions (such as roach infestations), and witnessing how it affects her, was nightmarish.
I wanted this illustration to depict the feeling through the eyes of a child, while still allowing more mature and experienced viewer to notice the deeper meaning, rather than the supposed ‘nightmare’ the child within the illustration is having. Additionally, I added sticky notes around the entire piece due to the fact that, as a kid and even into adulthood, my mom would leave me uplifting notes and reminders, and I felt inspired to note some of the comments she has said regards to her work.
Initial Ideations of Characters and Composition
Operation Final
Ducky’s Soup Shop & Pizza parlor
Here are two separate illustrations featuring that lovable, squishy duck and his helpful little friends!
Ducky’s soup shop
This is the first illustration that features Ducky and his friends. The objective of this illustration was to create a scene where the shape language of the character matched their environment, in which I chose soft, rounded shapes. I pushed the perspective and focused on shape and movement.
Initial Ideations of Characters and Composition
Initial Ideations of Compositions and Objects
Ducky’s Soup Shop Sketch
Ducky’s Soup Shop Line Art
Ducky’s Soup Shop Final
Ducky was in a gallery!
In May of 2023, Ducky’s Soup Shop was selected to be part of the 2023 Unveiled Art Exhibition held by the Mentor Community Arts and was on display for the entire community of Mentor, Ohio, to view and purchase.
Framed Print of Ducky’s Soup Shop on Display at 2023 Unveiled Art Exhibition
Ducky’s Pizza Parlor
Being the second full illustration about Ducky, I wanted to delve into other well-loved foods, like pizza, and pushed the composition even more than the previous artwork.
Sketches of Ducky’s Pizza Parlor
Ducky’s Pizza Parlor Final
Wanting to really focus on narrative, I created this piece to show the story of an adventurer and his loyal pet dog as they explore an unknown, snowy landscape. Guided by the light of their lantern, the two stumble upon an enormous creature frozen in ice.
Another aspect I pushed within this illustration was shape language, in which I used angles and harsh lines to my advantage in order to play up the dangerous atmosphere.
Iced IN
Ideations of Characters and Composition
Iced In Final
Breaks
Take a break! Not only is this a message for fellow artists, but for people in general. Sometimes, we only focus on working and we forget to take time for ourselves and to just sit, to sit and exist without thinking of work all the time.
This illustration is a reminder that it is perfectly alright to take a breath and to take a well-deserved break.
Ideations and Sketches
Breaks Final
Breaks was in a gallery!
In May of 2023, Breaks had won 1st place within the digital art category in the 2023 Unveiled Art Exhibition held by the Mentor Community Arts and was on display for the entire community of Mentor, Ohio, to view and purchase.
Framed Print of Breaks on Display at 2023 Unveiled Art Exhibition
Around the corner
What’s the best thing to do after school other than exploring the neighborhood’s local haunted house? Probably countless of things, actually, and these two unlikely friends figured that answer out the hard way.
Utilizing a dutch angle and vignettes, this illustration pushes the composition and forms a terrifically terrifying atmosphere for all viewers to enjoy.
Ideations and Sketches
Around The Corner Final
Bubble bath
Relaxing with their rubber ducky in the foamy bubbles of their bathtub, a fantastical creature of the deep is ready to give their scales a good scrub! In this Illustration, my goal was to focus on light and stick to a very limit color palette. The overall composition changed as I went through this piece, the result being vertical rather than the initial horizontal layout, and many more details and story elements were added.
Initial Ideation
Second Ideation
Bubble Bath Pencil
Bubble Bath Final
Moonwater
When the moon mysteriously crashes into the sea one starry night, all of the creatures of the deep come out to investigate and bask within the moon’s enchanting glow.
This piece allowed me to concentrate on creature designs, unique landscapes, and a fluid, eye-catching composition.
Moonwater Sketch
Moonwater Final