My thesis is a fictional account and documentation of the planet Gliese 581g, an actual planet only 20 light-years away, as told through the eyes of a stranded astronaut. The resulting work is a collection of digital paintings and hand-drawn illustrations following this astronaut as he explores the world and discovers the creatures that inhabit it. While most of the paintings focus on specific life-forms, the project allowed me to create an entire world from the ground up, including landscapes, future technology, planetary environments, etc.

I have always loved drawing and designing characters, especially creatures from folklore and my own imagination, so this project was chosen not only to allow me to further investigate the recurring themes in my work, but also to give me the opportunity to create a cohesive collection of character and environment design. This relates directly to my intended future as a concept artist in the entertainment industry.

Besides the illustrative component of the project, it deals with evolution and the phenomenon of life. Evolution is one of the most inspiring concepts for me, both in my art and in the way I see the world, so the fact that I have the chance to combine my art-making process with these profound ideas makes this project very personal and exciting. This is the first time I have created such a large and cohesive collection, especially one incorporating bits of my own beliefs and philosophies, so my intent was to present the work in a very clear and accessible way.