Client
Personal Project (Developed for the Illustration History class at Seneca College)
Year
2024
Role
Art History Research
Conceptual Reinterpretation
Style Emulation
Illustration
The final project for my Illustration History class at Seneca was to reinterpret a classic work of art in the style of a contemporary illustrator I admire. The challenge was to bridge two distinct artistic worlds—honoring the original painting while faithfully emulating a modern style and infusing it with my own unique concept.
I chose to connect Grant Wood's iconic "American Gothic" with the vibrant, inclusive style of illustrator Anoosha Syed. As a mother to a child of color, I've always admired Syed's commitment to diversity in her work, like her book "That's Not My Name!". Inspired by this, my goal was to reimagine "American Gothic" with that same spirit. I swapped the stern, original subjects with two adorable, diverse toddlers, capturing that universally awkward moment when a parent asks for "just one nice photo."
This project was a deep dive into art analysis and creative synthesis. My role included:
Art History & Artist Research
Conceptual Reinterpretation
Style Emulation & Character Design
Digital Illustration
Procreate
Outcome & What I Learned
The result is this playful tribute that honors a historical masterpiece while celebrating modern family life and diversity. This project was an incredible exercise in stylistic analysis. I learned not only how to deconstruct and replicate an artist's signature style but also how to use that skill to tell a new, personal story. It solidified my belief that art can be a powerful tool to reinterpret the past and reflect the beautifully diverse world we live in today.
