COMICS
- Silence Wanderers, Graphic novel -
It took me two and a half years to write the script and illustrate this 80-page graphic novel. It served as my graduation project at the Art Academy in Zagreb, under the mentorship of the late Ivan Ladislav Galeta, adding an extra layer of significance. The creation of this novel was truly a journey - a journey that I would even dare to describe as spiritual.
“He who would search for pearls must dive below.” ~ John Dryden
Calligraphy on this spread was done by a very talented Polish artist Jakub Niedziela. Besides his great contribution I used techniques and media that I didn’t even imagine that they might work together.
I’ve used so many different techniques to create these intro pages of my graphic novel. No wonder that it took me two and half years to complete it. E.g. clock on the top left, I used time itself to finish the model by growing rust on it, then I scanned and merged it into the page.
This one and the previous 4 images feature some of the spreads from the intro chapter in my graphic novel. I used dozens of mixed media techniques, both traditional and digital, to achieve this distinctive look. While each spread is unique, this one holds special significance - every handwritten word in the background was contributed by my family, friends, and even complete strangers whom I asked to write associations to LOVE.
Completely opposite from the messages of love, for the artwork on the left I asked those same people to write associations on HATE.
After first year of production, I realized that I am too distracted by everything while living in the capital of my country. I moved into the basement of my parents summer house, up under the mountain. No internet. No friends. No distractions. Had to chop wood to prepare for the winter. Winter came so I had to chop even more wood to stay warm. I shared my room with my dog and a single mouse that I couldn’t get rid of. What a beautiful period of my life.
As I assemble these images, I'm transported back to the time and mindset I had during its creation. The process of making this graphic novel unexpectedly made me realize that it serves as a lighthouse for myself. There's a whisper within, echoing the essence of who I was and where I came from.
