PIECES OF ME is a graphic memoir in progress about the onset of psychosis and the long recovery period afterwards. It is told through a series of visual metaphors and real-life events that emphasize Maia Iotzova’s growing disconnection and break from reality.
There are two distinct parts of the book. The first part, describing the onset of the psychotic break, is primarily a silent comic. The second part, after the psychotic break, starts with the metaphor of Iotzova’s mind literally being in pieces as she tries various methods to put herself back together. These include alternative medicine, spirituality, pets, therapy, medication, relationships, and work. It takes years of trial-and-error, hindered in part by her fear of institutionalization and medication, to be able to establish a sense of self and rebuild her connection to others and the world.
Iotzova has chosen to work entirely analog for this book. This choice is partially made because of her mental illness, where being in front of the computer for long hours has adverse effects on her mental health. At the same time, working analog is very calming, as her brain can focus and re-evaluate things in a physical way. This will be a stylistically unique book using unconventional materials. The whole book is estimated to be around 400 pages in mixed media, including line art, paper construction, acrylic, and watercolor.
Iotzova is currently working on finalizing the second part of the book. The first part is already complete with final art, and it is 107 pages. The second part is done in rough drawings (a bit more advanced than thumbnails). Once she has finished the editing of the story in the roughs, she will move to creating the final art. At this stage, she will also look for a publisher and possibly an agent for some of the bigger publishers. She really hopes this book gets published. Iotzova feels that it is such an important step for her to tell this story and that many people can learn from her experience.
Maia Iotzova is a Bulgarian-Canadian artist and filmmaker. She works and lives with her partner and child in Montreal, Canada, and sometimes in Sofia, Bulgaria. She has created various works of video art, short experimental and documentary films, and a few long documentaries and docu-dramas. In recent times, after many years of struggling with mental illness, her focus has turned to creating comics. She has published excerpts of her graphic novel in progress, “Pieces of Me” in the Sequential Artist Workshop Anthologies. Her focus now is to finish this major piece of work and release it to the world.
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