Nicole
As far as the term ‘passion project’ goes, I honestly cannot think of a more fitting example than this one. Every step of the process, from the earliest sketches to the final composition, carried a level of personal meaning that made the project feel unlike anything else I’ve worked on.
This piece is a dedication to my partner, in celebration of a recent anniversary. The tone of this piece was shaped by the love and care she puts into taking care of her plants; I leaned into organic forms, flowing lines, subtle textures and a soft, earthy color palette as the building blocks.
It stands as one of my favourite projects to date (though I’ll admit, I’m biased here), and I hope that the love, care, and intention behind every choice can be felt by anyone who spends time with this piece.
Line by line, a labour of love.
The goal for this piece was to capture her natural calm and grace, so I began with a relaxed profile pose to set a quiet, intentional tone. To balance the composition, I introduced vibrant botanicals and delicate florals—small nods to her love of plants—and tied the elements together with a leaf-inspired halo and surrounding vines.
Once the sketch felt right, I moved into Adobe Illustrator to refine the linework and build out a palette of soft, earthy tones. I also baked in some deeper personal touches, like the texture in the title copy, which was inspired by the unique patterns of the Alocasia Silver Dragon.
Every detail and easter egg was a deliberate choice, ensuring this tribute felt as meaningful as the person it celebrates.
