When tasked to come up with a design that encompassed the life that Peoria has to offer, I found it extremely difficult to fit everything in one image. There are so many reasons that my family and I are living our best lives in this great city. Laughter and the expression of smiling are some of the most prominent signs of happiness and well-being. We moved to Peoria from Greeley, Colorado, not knowing anyone, and have found the community members to be incredibly welcoming, caring, and most of all, genuine. This concept was created to give a visual of what Peoria means to me and my family.

There are six different individuals in this design, one for each letter of the word “Peoria.” Each. individual is a member of our community. This design was executed in my general artistic focus of relief printing. All of the lines in the image were individually carved onto a block of wood using sharp hand tools. Notice that the lines that make up the text of PEORIA are carved in a different direction from the background. This creates an optical illusion that allows the viewer to interact with an image that simultaneously has a hidden, as well as, upfront message. The letters aren’t obvious at first but will reveal themselves stronger at different viewpoints. This carving was then printed onto paper the same way a stamp is used. The original print made from the block of wood was then scanned and digitized to add the vibrant colors of the City of Peoria.

It was an absolute honor to be selected for this project, and my family is eternally grateful and blessed to have relocated to this amazing city.