Camila Diaz
An illustration created for one of the short stories included in my children's book (currently in development) titled "Laura Goes To El Salvador!" In this illustration, our main character Laura is painting a still life from a flower bouquet made by one of the three flower vendors. Laura notices the white "flor de izote" included in the bouquet, informing the reader that it is recognized as El Salvador's national flower through the writing. Painted traditionally with gouache and colored pencils and edited through Photoshop, my illustrations are created from both analog and digital mediums to create a unique atmosphere for the stories and scenes being depicted.Some images may be cropped. Click on an image to see the full image without cropping.
Camila Diaz
This tunnel book depicts the Battle of Acajutla between the Pipils of El Salvador and the Spanish Colonizers led by Pedro de Alvarado. The Pipils were an indigenous tribe of El Salvador who called their land and capital Cuscatlán, which translated means, "Land of the Jewel. "In June 1524, the Pipils would find themselves fighting courageously for their greatest wealth: Their land. This book focuses on that fight, exploring the history that followed that event. It portrays how this battle changed El Salvador’s history forever, and how the strength and bravery of the native people were and still are present in Salvadoran souls.
Camila Diaz
Exploring merchandise design combined with an interest in entertainment marketing, this project was inspired by IndieCollect, a film non-profit with a mission to restore under-represented films. The theme I followed was "Art and Culture," which led to my decision in using cultural folk art motifs. The motifs are placed within the reels, suggesting the reel contains a film inspired by the culture reflected. Warm colors were used to resemble sepia tones and evoke a feeling of nostalgia, inspired by IndieCollect’s mission. This design is meant to be mass produced on tote bags with the slogan "Focus on Unheard Creators" prominent while aesthetically pleasing.
Camila Diaz
The LA Plaza de Cultura y Arte is a community hub where people gather to celebrate Latine culture through visual arts and public programming. In this Promotional Poster project, ink and serif stamps were used to print onto ribbons, and were inspired by Mexican printmaking (E.G. Posada). The papel picado (cardstock treated with laser cutting) designs were inspired by folklorico dancers and ancient Mayan depictions of women in art. The model is used as a representation of the manifestation of Latine art, with the ribbons in her hair literally braided with the organization's title.
Camila Diaz
This is the poster/postcard final for my L.A. Campaign project that focused on Van Nuys. In an effort to create a complete view of what Van Nuys is known for, based on my research, I made a composition that would bring every element together while making sure it looked visually balanced. There are vintage cars cruising on a blue vinyl, substituting where The Japanese Garden river is supposed to be. The land is based on the topography of the Garden, representing nature in the valley. Also depicted are cherry blossom trees from the neighboring Lake Balboa park. The van from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is situated by the riverbank, and can be found in person at the Valley Relics Museum, where Southern California memorabilia is on display. If you look closer in the van, I've referenced actual LED signs from the museum. At the upper right corner, a plane ready to land in the Van Nuys Airport. Spread across the illustration are people having fun, enjoying the sights to behold, and showing how Van Nuys is a great place to be!
Camila Diaz
A serene scene of one of the stray cats that stays all day at my house. He is sleeping in the basket my family and I have left out for him. His personal dish can also be seen in the background. Painted with soft brushstrokes as the only painted part of the piece, he sleeps soundly as the world around him is scrappy and whimsical by means of collaged magazine pieces.
Camila Diaz
BFA Illustration
Camila Diaz is a Salvadoran-American visual artist who illustrates personal and cultural
memories in her multi-media practice. Camila encompasses the feelings of warmth and
nostalgia in her work, combining her cultures of South East Los Angeles and El Salvador
as main influences for her art. Camila is passionate about art accessibility and education.
She is inspired by her family, cultural history, nature, graphic novels, her home
full of artesanías and the cotton-candy sunsets of California.
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