moth&me
Using Adobe Illustrator, I created a self-portrait that blends elements of nature with symbolism to reflect personal growth and transformation. The background, as well as my face and body, are complimented with natural elements, such as moths, which represent letting go of the past. The moths hold particular meaning as the only insect I feel connected to. The portrait is abstract, with my face presented in a surrealist style, yet I ensured both my features, and the natural elements maintain a sense of realism to convey the journey of self-discovery.
How did i get here?
used trace paper over my chosen image to create the different layers I wanted to portray within my piece.
determining where the shadows and highlights would be placed
developed a full grown - full wing spread moth in grayscale to represent the beauty being taken away from the moth by me. a symbol of evolution.
i wanted to make sure this "baby moth" had contrasting yet neutral colors to compliment the gray scale image.
without the background, I found the piece to be empty, lacked unity, and connection to one another...which therefore led to the final piece.