When I was 15 years old, due to living conditions, Elizabeth Justice he went living with her grandmother. They shared an apartment and also shared their secrets. And while he was studying in Valencia, he was on the phone every day to talk about his life. “was one grandchild relationship, but also friendship» endorses this designer and illustrator from trained Barcelona resident Elda. Completed a master’s degree in Fine Arts and Artistic Production who gave birth to you graphic design.
His admiration for his grandmother, who left his mark on the brand his way of perceiving lifeand his desire to go beyond design and reach the world of illustration led him to combine both passions. something that happens in the form of a cartoon an old woman, her grandmother – “I guess that’s why she gave me all the luck in the world” – she reflects on life, claiming her status as an adult “but with the experience that the years have given her,” she says.
«A way to see life in the most realistic way possible; not even HappyIt’s not just bad.” Cartoons uploaded to social networks As of February 2021, what started post-pandemic and “pure fun” has grown until it reaches a massive scale. Exceeding Dominga’s 160,000 followersit was what he called the character he drew.
From webs to book
“It started getting a lot of likes, followers, shares, and even some brands contacting me to collaborate, but I didn’t want it because I didn’t like it being sold that way,” he says. it didn’t take long for them to come Offers from various publishers to turn it into a book and Elisabeth remained Penguin. that’s how it happened Dominga is talking to herself. with an interesting caption: It is better to speak alone than to be silent in your presence.
«The good thing about communicating with various publishers, I was able to choose to have total creative freedom and even negotiate. to see the contents, the endings, the cover so that it is a good book, like a destination book”, she confirms.
The suggestion was to put the cartoons on paper in book form, but “Since the cartoon book seemed too simple to me, I chose to do something else.” In this way, he asked the publisher to address three issues so that there was a common thread. «I touch on a lot of topics on Instagram, such as mental health, emotions, feelings, humor… and I chose three aspects for the book that affect old and young alike: loneliness, fear and the passage of time, also very intertwined».
Therefore, like his grandmother, he seeks the positive in every event, but without kindness. “Loneliness is terrible, sometimes difficult, but it also helps you get to know yourself better and can add good things to you. same thing happens with fears that paralyze you or help you get out of your comfort zone. And over time, we are in a society that puts pressure on us to age actively without wrinkles, and what it can do is empower us and make us visible.
a lifestyle
Elisabeth Justice’s grandmother He is now 95 years old and has dementia.. “What I’ve done with my character is make my grandma spend more time with me than life gives us.” He showed you the book. “Every time I see him for the first time i say it and he is very happy when I tell him that he is the main character ».
«LI’m a big fan and it was opening my eyes to reckon a generation that we socially segregate, when it reaches most of the comfort and well-being that we now enjoy».
The character is so overpowered Collaborated with Red Cross Madrid for 8M and now doing a project Soria Town Hall, with empowerment workshops for older women. “Dominga will have a statue there,” says the author, who has drawn several stories before.
Dominga speaks to herself at the psychologist-led 80 Mundos bookstore on Thursday 4th (19:00). Elena Carpio and with a sign translator. And on Friday the 5th, at the Paurides de Elda Foundation (18:00), Susana EsteveDirector of Valle de Elda newspaper.