Alive
Graphic Novel

self-written

A story based in 1985 Romania, around a 17 year old boy who discovers himself and what war means through objects and stories left by his late uncle that died in WW2, while also dealing with chores, and enjoying the freedom he still has, as tension is growing outside their small village.

The concept art was made my studying the Romanian rural area and it set the atmopshere and colour palette of the illustrations.

This idea explores the beauty of rural life and the connection it creates between community and nature which is put in contrast with the presence of war that still lingers.

I have always enjoyed hearing my grandparents’ stories: from running barefoot in the rain, going off on the field to tend to the farm animals to the raw retellings of war survivors.

I think we need to listen more to these stories and learn from them.