This landscape was created for the narrative class in the fall semester of 2024 as a response to a passage we read in class. The project was crafted using a variety of media, including watercolor, pen and ink, marker, linocut, and digital manipulation. By blending these different techniques, I was able to create a piece that feels layered and dynamic while reflecting the themes of the passage.
The process began with conceptualizing cities entirely from my imagination, starting with rough sketches and then adding color to bring the ideas to life. I wanted each aspect of the landscape to have its own unique treatment, which is why I settled on a collage-like approach. Understanding and refining my line language was crucial to this piece, especially as I sought to create a sense of movement in the hills and sand while keeping other areas more static. This contrast was meant to give the landscape a feeling of balance, yet the challenge lay in making all the disparate parts feel cohesive.
Upon revisiting the piece with fresh eyes, I realized that it also serves as a kind of self-portrait. The way the composition came together mirrors how I perceive the world—composed of countless different parts, perspectives, and elements that coexist in unique and sometimes unexpected ways. The buildings, for example, have a whimsical, fairytale-like quality, symbolizing ideas or dreams that may be unrealistic or deeply longed for. This whimsicality contrasts with the grounded elements of the landscape, reflecting the blend of reality and imagination that shapes our perception of the world.
This piece was not only an exploration of technique and composition but also a reflection of how I interpret and construct meaning from the world around me. It is a reminder that the world is built from diversity—of people, places, and perspectives—and that this diversity is something to celebrate
