Illustration for the short story "Girl" written by the novelist Jamaica Kincaid. Published in June 26, 1978 in The New Yorker.

Jamaica’s text is all about the freedom she dreamt about while being this young girl growing in a Caribbean culture with a conservative mother having strong expectations on what her daughter should and shouldn’t do.

I’ve composed this image to really reflect her longing for freedom beyond the text which is a long list of dos and don’ts. She’s now running through the fields, head high, in abandonment to what’s ahead of her. I’ve added movement and symbolism with the ribbons falling of her braids and the birds running free with her. The shapes of the cloud and the okra in forefront are adding to the dreamy feel while referencing to the cultural aspect of the short story.

Mockup of the illustration as if it were published on The New Yorker's website and their Instagram account.