I’ve always been inspired by the sense of wonder invoked by genres like magic realism, Studio Ghibli, and folktales. For my portfolio, “Reconnecting with the Magic of the Child,” I wanted to create pieces that made viewers stop, breathe, and let themselves wander through the vast worlds within my drawings.

The Starbrights, Moonweaver, and Heartwood all reveal a moment of connection and creation as the human characters engage with the magic of the world around them—which is only visible if you look at it from the right angles; walk back and forth before the piece and you’ll see the graphite elements appear and disappear. I liked the idea that the beauty of magic isn’t always visible, and developed my style of graphite and white charcoal to compliment that.

Although I initially intended to create four pieces this year, I only made three, because the level of texture I wanted for my pieces required so much experimentation, reiteration, and layering. I made dozens of sketches before settling on the concepts and compositions, did photoshoots in the theater to get the light and characters exactly right, and spent dozens of hours layering textures over one another.

Moonweaver, The Starbrights, and Heartwood all carry a sense of longing for the magic of the world that we sometimes forget to see. Sometimes, you need to look a little closer—or from the right angle—to see the magic of the world. Altogether, my portfolio is a celebration of the magic and escapism that makes art so endearing to many, and a reminder to always try and let the child within you dream.

—some in progress moments