With the sketches of the faces all done, I can finally break from structure and start drawing the abstract forms. This is a key design element I'm using to enliven the space between the figures and unify the floating heads.
When making the abstract forms I kept thinking of filigree or plants blossoming. Much of what community members kept saying about Mattapan involved vibrance, strength, and room to grow..... It seemed like a good concept to interpret in the artwork abstractlly amongst the literal faces of the community.