A Graphic Novel Series by Alicia Dianne successfully funded on Kickstarter!!
What's it about?
A timid teenager in East Africa faces the daunting challenge of standing up to the most powerful leaders in her divided village to protect her brother and herself. Complicating matters are Western missionaries, whose presence interferes with the village leaders’ schemes to maintain power and eradicate all foreign influence. Many villagers also distrust the Western visitors, believing they have only brought trouble in their post-colonial state. Unbeknownst to them, greater dangers lurk in the hidden secrets of the Bush.
Inspiration from Kenya Collection
Why are you making it?
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The Artist's Statement
As an illustrator and storyteller, my work focuses on Afrocentric culture, women’s empowerment, and the ongoing influence of history on the present. I take a research-centered approach to storytelling, crafting narratives that draw on contemporary issues. Through fantasy, I blend tragedy and comedy to address complex topics, disempower fears, and challenge stereotypes, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own biases.
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My graphic novel series, Jaydi’s Story, grew out of a desire to explore faith and the complex emotions surrounding missionary influence, told through the perspective of an African girl. To bring this narrative to life, I developed a distinct visual language rooted in African culture. The series was shaped by intensive studies of East African landscapes, which I captured using traditional techniques such as watercolor, pastels, acrylics and mixed media. These studies informed the vibrant digital art that defines Jaydi’s Story.
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The series examines colonization’s lasting impact on Africa, including poverty, corruption, and exploitation, while raising awareness within the African Diaspora. For me, this project is both a creative endeavor and a personal journey of rediscovery. As an African American/African Caribbean woman, Jaydi’s Story is a love letter to Africa, expressing frustration with injustice and hope for a brighter future.
Inspiration from Kenya Watercolors
Who is
Jaydi?
The protagonist, Jaydi Asha, (which translates to “Angel Alive”),
is a teenage girl in Kaweria, Mumbi seeking a normal life after terrorism corrupts her village. At only 12, she is left orphaned and bears the responsibility of caring for her two younger siblings (Bandele and Hidi) and an elderly grandmother (Bibi Ebra). Her tenacity is the force that holds her family together amidst all odds, however she can sometimes forget her age and the fact that still has so much to learn!