Belle The Brave
Diana O'Brien
Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
About this Item
- Title
- Belle The Brave
- Date
- 2024
- Summary/Artist's Statement
-
Diana O’Brien
Artist Statement -
Personal loss has marked milestones in my professional journey. Without experiencing grief, I wouldn’t have encountered the pivotal moments that helped me make decisions that led to profound artistic, spiritual, and professional transformations. Although my passion for creating children’s books began early on, I opted for the more secure path of graphic design. However, over the past two decades, this decision has lingered with me. In 2008, I applied for the MFA in Illustration at FIT with assistance from my father in writing the essay. Despite our efforts, I faced rejection. Shortly after this, my father passed away, and I found solace and healing through my involvement with the nonprofit organization Splashes of Hope. I helped paint murals in children’s hospitals across the United States. While I eventually returned to graphic design after a while, my portfolio had evolved. I reapplied to the program and was accepted in 2015. When my daughter Grace was born in August 2017, I took a hiatus. During the pandemic in 2020, we welcomed our son Declan. In 2021, with tremendous encouragement and support from my husband, I resumed and completed the MFA program. His assistance made this endeavor possible.
Upon reading the letter sent home about Grace’s classmate Belle’s battle with cancer and upcoming surgery before the start of first grade, I realized my mission. As I collaborated with Belle and her family on this project, it evolved beyond my expectations. Belle served as an inspiring art director, and her mother, an enthusiastic and discerning collaborator, guided the project with strength and respect for her daughter’s journey. Although I created the artwork and wrote the words, this endeavor was a collective effort. Ultimately, the words were rewritten and perfected by Erin Chavez, a brilliant writer with a heart that is able to see the importance of Belle’s experience.
“Belle The Brave” explores themes relevant to all ages. Throughout the process, I drew inspiration from Belle—her resilience and determination empowered me to face my own challenges. Witnessing my six-year-old daughter overcome her fears to support Belle by visiting her in the city for a playdate, instilled in our own household the mantra, “If Belle can do it, so can I!”
Authors of Hope, a nonprofit (501c3 status pending) emerged as a small, independent publishing house with a mission: to amplify the voices of children battling serious illnesses, to share their incredible stories. Our aim is to grant them control over their narratives and uplift readers through carefully crafted books that honor each child’s journey and core message.
My experience of using my artistic talents to serve those in need was transformative, not only for my portfolio but also for my spirit. I credit this experience for shaping my life. It was during this time that I found a deeper faith as a Christian, having witnessed a miracle of healing within myself.
@AuthorsofHope
www.authorsofhope.org
[email protected] -
About this Work: - 60 glossy, full color pages to enjoy as you join Belle on her journey as she faces her biggest challenge yet: cancer. With the support of family and friends, Belle learns that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to face it head-on. Through heartwarming moments of triumph and friendship, Belle The Brave inspires readers to embrace challenges with resilience and compassion.
- Creation Date: May 2024
- Medium
- Graphite and Digital
- Course/Degree Information
- Program/Degree: Illustration MFA
- Academic Semester: Spring 2024
- In Exhibition
-
Flood: Class of 2024 Visual Thesis Exhibition
- Rights
- In Copyright
- The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
- Identifier
- FIT Repository ID: il_mfa_000006
Citation
O'Brien, D. (2024). Belle The Brave. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/398806
O'Brien, Diana. Belle The Brave. 2024. FIT Digital Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/398806
O'Brien, Diana. "Belle The Brave." FIT Digital Repository, 2024. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/398806