Abstract
A Precious Place is a 96-page magical realist graphic novel. The story follows a 16-year-old girl called Aura who’s ready to leave behind the only place she’s ever known; a small rural town in the Dominican Republic. Aura’s restlessness prompts her mom and aunt to send her to the U.S. for a year to stay with family and give her a chance at a different kind of life.
Without thinking much about what that would involve, Aura gladly takes the opportunity. However, over time she discovers that the challenges of navigating a strange and unfamiliar place may be even more daunting than the ones she left behind.
Artist Statement
Michele Saiz is a Portland-based artist and illustrator from the Dominican Republic. She enjoys making detailed illustrations in ink using a nib pen and an assortment of brushes. Her work centers around depicting the natural world and creating a strong sense of place to tell stories. She’s currently working on writing and illustrating stories that explore diverse experiences, cultural identity, and coming-of-age themes.
She holds a BFA in Illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art and an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts & Illustration from the Altos de Chavón School of Design. She works mostly with analog media and techniques, with a focus on illustration for books, editorial illustration, and graphic novels.
