The Tiger Mask

The Story

Nova is a descendant of star people who have the power to harness the forces of the sun and everything that glitters in the universe. However, Lydia the winter witch is also one of the star people. She has gone mad and alienated into a black hole. She wants to hunt down Nova and feed on her flames. 

Nova fell from the sky into the forest which is full of special animals that shine like stars.  One these animals is Kaisa, the resilient bull. Kaisa and Nova are best friends, they grew up together . Now, they are on the run . They are being hunted. They keep watching other animals brutally taken away by the Winter Witch. Nonetheless , Nova is trying to find the courage to stand up to her. She wears the tiger mask wherever she goes. Because through the horrors and violence of Lydia she forgets. She forgets that she is a tiger. And tigers are not afraid.

Nova, The Star Girl

Nova is a reckless, short-tempered, wild 13 year-old girl that is trying to control her "star-fire". She fell from the sky like a shooting star one day. She fell in love with the forest and all the creatures that fill in it. In the forest there is a myth of this magical feline that cannot be caged. Legend says it has eyes that see in the dark and strength to crush bones. The myth tells that this tiger is still roaming free. Free of Lydia's grasp. Nova has not seen one yet but she is hopeful that she will one day!

Lydia, The Winter Witch

Lydia used to be one of the star people. After a mysterious event she betrayed her people and started to suck all of the light in the universe like a black hole. Lydia is violent, cruel and ravenous. She wants to hunt down everything that is warm and full of light. She gets stronger by the minute as she takes over the forest. Day by day there is less forest and more of her darkness. Lydia wants to unleash "The Winter Beast" using one of the legendary artifacts. She will be unstoppable when the winter arrives. 

Kaisa, Chosen of the Sun

Kaisa is one of the strongest beasts in the forest. She is so beautiful and so resilient. She found Nova as a baby and took care of her. They have  an extremely vigorous bond. Kaisa is huge, intimidating,  and muscular but despite her appearance she is very loving and gentle. Lydia has been trying to capture her for years but has not been successful.

Powerful artifacts that were forged by ancient star people ages ago.  Nova is hoping to use them to stop Lydia and likewise Lydia wants to use them to unleash the Winter Beast from its prison.

Shore of Despair- A dark, cursed place where the winter beast is imprisoned inside the winter-stone. 

Heart of The Forest- An all powerful sword named March is the center of the forest. Nova wants to use the sword to defeat Lydia. 

Castle Flora- The abandoned castle that Nova and Kaisa use as a hideout,  

Sketches in acrylic, watercolor and graphite.

"Tigers are not afraid. They have already gone through all the bad things and they came out the other side. They are kings of this kingdom of broken things. Because we have to remember:

we are princes,

we are warriors

and tigers,

and tigers are not afraid."                          

-"Tigers are not afraid (2019)" Issa López