digital proverb quilt
The idea for this digital collage of altered photographed fabrics and digitally painted characters stemmed from the Congolese proverb, “A tree cannot stand without roots.” The foundations formed by deep connections with loved ones provide a sense of stability, identity, and support. My aim for this quilt was to encourage appreciation for our roots, heritage, and the individuals that have shaped us into who we are today.
digital collage & painted in photoshop
process
character design
My intention was to make very vivid and bright characters. The mood board (right) I made influenced the style, colors, and shapes of the characters, as well as the scenes they are housed within. I also made it a point to playfully portray a diverse range of family structures— from loving parents and children to close-knit siblings, cherished friends, and even an endearing elderly couple. This was done to further amplify the importance of kinship for everyone.
backgrounds
I actually began this project by designing the backgrounds prior to the characters, wanting the quilt to look cohesive and visually captivating as a standalone piece as well. Utilizing the found digital fabric scraps and patterns, I began to add, alter, and cut out pieces until I had nine distinct worlds (WIP still on the left). After I delved into crafting each unique world, I then began to think of who would inhabit these worlds.
