"The Face of the Earth" is a commissioned children's book I illustrated for Carl Rodia, World Press in the US. The summer before I found this opportunity, I was telling a friend how I wanted to create a series of illustrations briefly illustrating the history of man-kind. A couple of months have passed and I amazingly found this opportunity that Carl Rodia was offering, in children's book form, which to this day I am very grateful for.
"The Face of the Earth" Handmade mixed media paper 45x45cm
"The Face of the Earth" is based on a poetic and moral song written by Carl Rodia. Through its musical verses it describes the spiritual history of mankind in an honest and gentle way. The goal was to teach children the contrast between good and evil, actions based in weakness or in strength through illustrations packed with imagery, colour and symbolism that both a younger and mature reader would enjoy.
"The Face of the Earth" Handmade mixed media paper 45x45cm
The illustrations were made in an almost identical style and technique as in my previous project "To Live", which was decided between the client and I, as it suited the children's book aesthetic and allows to show deeper topics in a more understandable form. Through the singular perspective of each page, the images also have a theatrical feeling, adding to the historical sequence of the story. There are also multiple symbols and hidden meanings which are shown through composition, night or day, colour as well as form... which I will let the reader discover for themselves.
"The Face of the Earth" Handmade mixed media paper 45x45cm
In conclusion, the project "The Face of the Earth" has honestly been one of my favourite projects I've ever worked on. It was the perfect opportunity that came my way at the time and it allowed me to experiment as well as refine this technique. The book will be published with the song to accompany it so it is truly a special project. It was also the first commissioned children's book I've ever worked on and it will be available to purchase soon.
"Top-notch professional. Val went way beyond expectations to deliver high value and remarkable works of art." Carl Rodia