The Human Project began as a quiet reflection during the pandemic and evolved into a deeply personal, five-year journey of storytelling, art, and connection. Through illustrated narratives of four remarkable individuals, the project explores the beauty of everyday moments, resilience, and shared humanity.
Blending pen-and-ink drawings with vivid digital art, each story invites readers to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with themselves and others. This body of work stands as both a tribute to those who’ve inspired me and a visual celebration of the human spirit.
Patience (Ndidi)
Year: 2022
Medium: Ballpoint Pen, Charcoal
Welcome to “Ndidi”—a visual meditation on patience and the quiet beauty of life’s timing.
This project came from a place of reflection—on how everything in life, just like the seasons, moves in its own rhythm. Sometimes, winter overstays its welcome, and we’re left wondering when things will shift. Ndidi is my reminder that those long, slow moments aren’t wasted—they’re where we gather strength, quietly preparing for the return of spring.
Who? (Onye?)
Year: 2022
Medium: Ballpoint Pen, Charcoal
Who? is one of the most personal pieces I’ve ever created. It’s a deep dive into identity—the versions of ourselves we show the world, and the parts we hide. We all wear masks, sometimes without even realizing it. This piece doesn’t ask, “Who hurt you?”—it asks something harder: “Who are you, really, underneath it all?”
I made this in 2022, pouring over 700 hours into layering every stroke of blue ballpoint pen on paper. It was meditative—almost like sculpting with light and shadow—building out emotion through repetition, patience, and presence.
More than just a portrait, Who? became a mirror for me. And I hope it becomes one for you too. It’s about peeling back everything the world expects of us and finding what’s still there: something raw, real, and completely our own.
Let Me Show You (Ka'm gosi gi)
Year: 2023
Medium: Ballpoint Pen, Charcoal
Let Me Show You isn’t just a portrait—it’s a quiet invitation to look inward.
This piece asks you to pause, breathe, and really see yourself—not just the surface, but everything beneath it. As your eyes move through the layers and details, the work becomes a kind of mirror—not just of my process, but of your own potential for self-discovery.
It’s a reminder that there’s a whole world inside each of us, waiting to be noticed. And maybe, just maybe, it holds everything we’ve been looking for.
Adam
Year: 2022
Medium: Ballpoint Pen, Charcoal
ADAM is a portrait of youth—but not the surface kind. It’s about the quiet depth, the curiosity, and the complexity that often goes unseen.
Drawn entirely in ballpoint pen, this piece took shape through hundreds of deliberate strokes—each one building light, shadow, and emotion. It’s not just a face; it’s a moment suspended between who someone has been and who they might become.
Like the story of the biblical Adam, this drawing represents a beginning. A reminder that youth isn’t just about innocence—it’s about potential. ADAM is my way of honoring that raw, open space between past and future—where everything is still possible.
As you spend time with this piece, I hope it reminds you of your own capacity to grow, shift, and become.
Azure
Year: 2022
Medium: Ballpoint Pen, Charcoal
Azure is about growth—the kind that’s slow, quiet, and often invisible until you look back and realize how far you’ve come.
Drawn entirely in blue ballpoint pen over 400 hours, this piece reflects the journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s not just about getting older—it’s about transformation. Every stroke is layered with intention, tracing the path of letting go, shedding what no longer fits, and stepping into something new.
Azure is my way of honoring that in-between space—where you’re no longer who you were, but not yet fully who you’re becoming. It’s a reminder of how resilient we really are, even when we don’t feel it.
More than just an artbook, The Human Project is a celebration of humanity. It’s an invitation to sit with these stories, reflect on your own, and share the experience with the people you care about.
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me on this journey. You can get your copy here:
• Gumroad
• Kobo
This project taught me that storytelling and art have the power to connect us in ways words alone cannot. The Human Project: Stories & Symbols is my way of sharing that connection with you.
I hope you find a piece of yourself in these pages. And if you do, I’d love for you to share it with someone else—because that’s what The Human Project is all about.
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