Self-Portrait - November 2025
Physical artworks made using acrylic paint, charcoal, photomontage, colored paper, patterned paper, post-it notes and a thin black marker
This project combines 6 identical photographs of myself, 5 of which have been modified in some way to abstractly represent an aspect of who I am as person.
The first portrait was made using acrylic paint. This portrait represents how I am often perceived as “too kind” in an often violent and unkind world. I raise here the question, “Am I too kind, or is the world not kind enough?” The writing on the side comes from lord Byron’s poem Prometheus, a titan from Greek mythology which was punished for bringing fire back to Man. I also paint myself as a heroic knight, a valiant figure that lights up the portrait.
The second portrait was made using the technique of photomontage: the process and the result of making a composite photograph by cutting, gluing, rearranging and overlapping two or more photographs into a new image. Here, I overlap a black and white photo with its colored equivalent to represent myself as a distinguished and whimsical monster reminiscent of Frankenstein’s creature.
The third portrait was made with colored paper that I typically use to make origami. The vivid colors clash with the black and white background, which can represent the feelings I get of not belonging and being “too much” in the crowds and environments I frequent.
The fourth portrait was made using charcoal and post-its. The cartoony insects coming out of my brain form a contrast with the realism, representing how I appear on the outside versus who I am inside. The insects can mean a lot of different things, such as my imagination, my interests, or even my uncomfortable intrusive thoughts that slitter into my brain and refuse to leave.
Finally, the last portrait is a very pixelated version of the original photo, focusing only on the contrast between the dark and light values. If you squint, you can still make out the general shapes of the light hitting my body and head.
Un Gabbiano e una Donna - December 2024
This short script tells the story of Finn, an egotistical yet desperate seagull who pursues the unrequited love of Camila, a human woman visiting the Italian countryside with her lover.
Despite his shortcomings in charisma, Finn persists in his attempts to “win over the damsel” against the established boyfriend. This misguided tenacity and arrogance eventually leads him to his demise.
As a kid, when I was asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would answer that I want to be a screenwriter. I already knew from a young age that I really wanted to be able to turn my all the ideas in my head into something real. Nowadays, I am no longer actively pursuing a career in screenwriting, but my desire to tell stories and share them with the world remains.
This particular story is whimsical and reminiscent of the animated short films I love to watch on YouTube. I had a lot of fun writing the iconic protagonist Finn, who is a heavily dramatized depiction of fragile masculinity and the mindset that the men must fight over and “win” the women.
Nothing’s New - December 2023
Digital animatic made in Flipaclip
Nothing’s New shares the story and hardships of an unnamed woman immigrating to Canada. It highlights the value of family and loved ones, and working hard and making sacrifices in order to provide a better future for them.
I created this animatic as part of my final Personal Project for the IB (International Baccalaureate) program. For this project, I had to decide on a personal learning goal and a product to design and produce based on that goal.
Immigration is a reality tied to my own background, but is not something I have personally experienced. Furthermore, I am very passionate about traveling and meeting people who live in different social situations and cultures from my own. These things have ignited in me a deep curiosity to understand and put myself in the shoes of people who’ve left behind their loved ones in hopes of finding happiness abroad.
That is why I had decided to make my learning goal to educate myself on the personal side of immigration. In order to write the story of this animatic, I interviewed my parents about their backgrounds, and watched/read testimonials on how different people experienced immigration.
Concept and progress art of the unnamed protagonist
Concept and progress art of the protagonist's child
Concept art of the protagonist's husband
Digital artworks
Drawn on Ibis Paint X
My interest in drawing started when I was a young kid. I was enamored by my friend’s drawings and tried to redraw them myself, with more limited success. Curious to develop my skills, I started watching drawing tutorials on YouTube and have continued steadily practicing and improving ever since.
I started drawing digitally on Ibis Paint X in 2020. I find the application very beginner friendly while still offering a wide array of features. Because of this, it has been my go-to drawing platform ever since.
My art is mainly focused on drawing animated characters in a cartoony and colorful style. I very rarely draw backgrounds or detailed scenes because I enjoy focusing on the subject(s) and conveying their personality and quirks. It took a very long time for me to find my own unique art style. I find that sometimes trying too hard to be good at everything can be overwhelming and discouraging, and being yourself just means drawing what you’re truly fond of and having fun with it.
Even though I mostly do fan art for my favorite games and series, I also really enjoy designing original characters. Additionally, I often incorporate my digital art in my bigger projects, such as my games.
