ABOUT THE 2024 NOSTALGIA COLLECTION
Growing up Italian Catholic in the Pennsylvania suburbs, everything was magical: laughter and fantasy was omnipresent. The Nostalgia 2024 Collection focuses on the conflict of the rosiness yet distortion of childhood memories. I utilize fisheye perspective, gaussian blur, and noise filters to reinforce themes of distortionary nostalgia and to mimic human perception. Studying nature, architecture, wildlife, and people in pockets of captured time in the form of old photos and Google Maps, I depict these moments and fill in the gaps with my own memories. In the process of referencing and studying old family photos, these pieces encouraged me to re-embrace and celebrate my past self.
This led to a conflict: can I truly understand that past self? Was I really superstitious, confident, and whimsical? Or was that just how I remember it? I can try to piece together this past self through half forgotten memories, photographs, and recounts from relatives, but perhaps I can never fully understand that self.
I had begun to explore these ideas in my 2021 AP 2D Design Portfolio in my junior year of high school. I was very touched on how many people connected with this portfolio since the pieces were so fun and personal. The College Board website even featured it the following year as an example for advanced drawing skill.
My ever present childhood nostalgia drew me back to this thesis. For this 2024 Collection calendar, I am revisiting and revising– keeping some of the originals, revisiting others, and creating entirely new additions.
Most of the photo references for these pieces were taken by my parents– they are my constant audience as I have grown up. I am so grateful to them so much for all of their support all these years!
I hope that these pieces inspire you to embrace the whimsical kid in yourself too.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hi, I’m Erica! I’m an illustrator and animator based in Scottsdale, Arizona and currently studying Animation and Digital Arts at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. When I’m not drawing, I’m pressing flowers, crocheting and playing indie RPGs.
Thank you for checking out my artwork!
You can find my portfolio here: https://ericalgaray.wixsite.com/website