Zayra Velasco

This ongoing project delves into the exploration of vintage photographs, many dating back over 70 years. These images, bearing the inherent imperfections of time and the photographic techniques of their era – including scratches, fading, dust, and the unique characteristics of early lenses – serve as the foundation for this artistic inquiry.

In an age saturated with digital filters and artificial intelligence that often prioritize flawless, romanticized, and symmetrical aesthetics, this project aims to bring these older photographs back to the forefront. It seeks to challenge our contemporary, often digitally manipulated, notion of reality. By highlighting the textures, flaws, and authentic visual language of these aged images, the project intends to:

Core subjects of this exploration:

• Reassert the beauty of imperfection: Emphasizing that the passage of time and the limitations of early technology contribute to a unique and compelling visual narrative.
• Counter the idealized present: Offering a counterpoint to the often overly polished and unrealistic representations prevalent in modern media.
• Reconnect with tangible history: Providing a direct link to past moments, unburdened by contemporary digital enhancements.
• Prompt reflection on our perception of reality: Encouraging viewers to consider how filters and AI might be subtly altering our understanding and appreciation of genuine imagery.

Medium:

Colored pencils, graphite, charcoal and chalk.

Process

Process

Process

Process

Final artwork

Final artwork

Final artwork

This ongoing digital project explores the visual interpretation of phrases through digital illustration. A key aspect of this project is to connect language and visual representation, offering a unique artistic perspective on familiar expressions. The digital medium allows for exploration of texture and light, aiming to achieve a traditional painterly feel within a contemporary digital framework.

The initial pieces in this series include:

• "Step by Step": This illustration was developed using photographic references. The resulting digital illustration in Krita also emulates the rich texture and realism often found in traditional oil paintings.
• "Keep Walking": Similarly, this illustration was developed using three photographic references. The final artwork, while digitally created in Krita, possesses a realistic aesthetic reminiscent of traditional painting.

Medium:

Digital illustration using Krita.

Reference

Process

Final artwork

Reference

Reference

Reference

Process

Process

Final artwork

Illustrations from "El Hada" zine for Feria Pliega (2023), visually interpreting a poem through four original pieces rendered in colored pencils and ink.

The poem depicts a tender and enchanting encounter between an individual and a fairy. It narrates the transformative power of this magical being, whose gentle presence fills the world of a bitter and resentful person with wonder, guiding them to transmute their fear and pain through sweetness and light.

Cover

Illustrations from "La distancia" zine for Feria Pliega (2023), visually interpreting a prose poem through five colored pencil drawings.

The prose poem explores the theme of distance within a dramatic and self-centered love. The artwork captures the emotional tension and perhaps the isolation inherent in a relationship strained by distance, as depicted in the accompanying poem. The use of colored pencils lends a particular mood and texture to the illustrations, enhancing the poem's dramatic and egoistic undertones.

Cover

This project centers on an artistic exploration of scale through the depiction of Argentine botanical subjects. The series contrasts intimate, small-format studies with expansive, large-scale representations, aiming to highlight how varying dimensions impact the viewer's experience and the level of detail conveyed.

Core subjects of this exploration:

• Lotus: The lotus flower, a symbol of purity and rebirth, is depicted rising from a tranquil water source in this artwork. The background features a textured arrangement of stones, grounding the ethereal beauty of the blossom in a natural setting.
• Calla Lily: In an indoor setting, positioned before a window with its curtains tied back. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the elegant form of the flower, while glimpses of more plants can be seen outside, creating a sense of connection between the interior and the natural world.
• Skull with Verbena bonariensis and Ascia monuste: This artwork features a skull surrounded by Verbena bonariensis, presented without a background to emphasize the subjects themselves. The Verbena bonariensis, a plant native to Argentina symbolizing creativity, joy, and inspiration, is juxtaposed with the skull, a traditional symbol of death. Together, they manifest the constant cycle of change inherent in both nature and Argentine culture. This transformation is depicted not as a somber event, but as a process embraced with joy and one that continues to generate life, symbolized by the presence of the Ascia monuste butterfly, a common sight in Argentina.

Objective:

The primary objective of this project is to investigate the effect of scale on artistic representation. By rendering the same subjects in both small (10x10 cm) and large formats composed of four individual panels (each 30 cm x 39 cm), the project aims to explore how different dimensions emphasize various aspects of the subject matter, from intricate details in the smaller works to a more encompassing presence in the larger pieces.

Medium:

Colored pencils, Ink, Graphite

For the "Te Encontré Perdidx" exhibition, I created two series of objects based on colored pencil drawings:

Bookmark Series:

This series features a collection of bookmarks, each adorned with original colored pencil illustrations and incorporating well-known phrases or sayings. The intention was to combine visual appeal with familiar expressions, creating small, functional pieces of art.

Botanical Magnet Series:

This series consists of magnets showcasing detailed colored pencil drawings of various botanical elements. The focus was on capturing the beauty and intricacies of plant life, transforming everyday magnets into miniature works of art.

Drawing inspiration from the sociological insights of Erving Goffman, particularly his dramaturgical theory presented in "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life," this project examines how individuals consciously and unconsciously employ "masks" or "performances" to manage impressions and navigate social situations. Goffman argued that social interaction is akin to a theatrical performance, where individuals adopt roles and present a particular "face" to others, often concealing aspects of their true selves. These masks can serve various functions, from facilitating social harmony and protecting vulnerabilities to enabling manipulation and fostering inauthenticity.

The drawings in this series visually interpret the multifaceted nature of these social masks. Through the interplay of graphite's nuanced tones and the subtle vibrancy of colored pencils, the artwork seeks to capture the diverse emotions, intentions, and consequences associated with the roles we play and the faces we present to the world. Each piece invites contemplation on the complexities of identity, authenticity, and the intricate dance between our inner selves and our outward presentations within the social arena.

This series of drawings, rendered entirely in colored pencils, is a personal homage to the profound symbolism of the dragon in Eastern cultures. The dragon, a mythical creature deeply ingrained in the folklore and art of East Asia, embodies a multitude of powerful and auspicious meanings.

This series comprises four face masks that have been uniquely transformed through colored pencil drawings. Each mask features a realistic depiction of a mouth expressing a distinct emotion

Created as a proposal for an exhibition, this project explores the concept of non-verbal communication and the expressive potential of a part of the face often concealed. By focusing on the nuances of mouth expressions, the series aims to convey a range of feelings in a subtle yet impactful way.