Ting Germain
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Artist Statement
My interest in storytelling and graphic novels led me to create an illustrated book that conveys the constant cycle of giving and taking empathy, asking the overarching question: is empathy unlimited?
In a time of uncertainty and the ever growing urge to seek comfort, I created a story that documents the reality of these feelings. I came to the conclusion that most people want empathy through exploring my fears, my obsessions, and what would make me feel more reassured.
My illustrations are etchings with watercolor on top. The imperfections and permanence of the mediums allows the work to feel more relatable and human. The imperfections are the inconsistent tones of the ink, scratches, and dried outlines of the watercolor, to give it a more “handmade” look. Many of the illustrations contain unusual symbolism representing events and parts of my life as well. The repetition of objects such as chandeliers and photos are displayed in many scenes. Repetition shows how I tend to put too much sentimental value on objects and rethink things from the past, resulting in large collections I can never get rid of. The main antagonist is a mixture of my fear of the unknown and a friend I once knew. While this unusual imagery contrasts with the idea of the graphic novel being “relatable,” I counter it by evoking more general emotions through color and atmosphere. Much of the color scheme is also based on the muted lighting in my home growing up.
While the illustrations are based on feelings of dread, anxiety and uncertainty in life, I know that there is comfort in knowing that there will always be someone watching out for you. The ironic nature of relatability in personal storytelling is what I explore and use to share a story of hope. Vulnerability is essential. The vulnerability of sharing one's personal experiences allows others to connect to characters in the story and feel understood.
![There is a dog curled up on the side of a store. A panel of the close up of the dog waking up is in the corner of the page.](_images/01_tinggermain-660x556.jpg)
Still // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![A room is filled with chandeliers. Inside one of them is a dog, who is watching a figure display photos on the chandeliers. The figure is standing on top of a bunch of shelves seen inside supermarkets.](_images/02_tinggermain-660x504.jpg)
The Station // Steel etching plate // 18 × 24 inches
![Top left panel shows a man looking down on a child menacingly. The bottom left panel shows the separating of the men and women. The right panel shows an eerie hallway at night with a child viewing it.](_images/03_tinggermain-660x544.jpg)
Welcome // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![A couple stands in a doorway, crying and comforting each other. Portraits of family are all over the walls, and on the side is a TV with news of the worst. In the middle, is a baby crib with a baby inside who is laying down.](_images/04_tinggermain-660x547.jpg)
The News // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![A woman is surrounded by photos of loved ones that passed away. She is in the dark, and is sitting down and looking around at all the photos surrounding her. A few candles illuminate the office-like space.](_images/05_tinggermain-660x553.jpg)
Grieving // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![The top right panel shows a dog with a human hand, reaching towards a box. The top left shows the surrounding materials: a bowl, milk, orange juice, and utensils. The bottom panel shows the dog pouring his own cereal, behind a massive pile of clutter and the freezer section.](_images/06_tinggermain-660x532.jpg)
Grasping // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![On one side of the freezer section is a woman, who is staring across at the dog disapprovingly. The dog has just poured cereal and has his cereal box in front of him. They are in conflict.](_images/07_tinggermain-660x537.jpg)
Challenge // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![The woman and her dog are staring into the distance at the chandeliers/light continuing into the distance.](_images/08_tinggermain-660x546.jpg)
Reminiscent // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 9.5 inches
![A dog is greeted by the mass amounts of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There are photos on the ground.](_images/09_tinggermain-660x398.jpg)
Enchantment // Watercolor // 5 × 12 inches
![The top left panel shows a woman clipping photos onto a chandelier. The bottom left shows a book about that woman that the dog had created when he was human. The left panel is a zoom out of the scene, showing the dog looking up at the woman who is standing on supermarket shelves.](_images/10_tinggermain-660x658.jpg)
Observing // Steel etching plates and watercolor // 8 × 8 inches