This edition of Canto de Mim Mesmo brings Walt Whitman’s landmark poem Song of Myself into Portuguese, published by Cultura, featuring the celebrated translation by José Agostinho Baptista, retaining the emotional depth and spiritual breadth of the original. It is a work that celebrates individuality, nature, democracy and the interconnected human spirit.

I was tasked with both the editorial design and a full suite of original illustrations. The goal was to create a visual ecosystem that mirrors Whitman’s expansive voice and free‑verse rhythm, while presenting his ideas in a way that feels immediate, thoughtful and immersive.

My illustrations draw on themes of introspection, communion and wonder, using hand‑drawn motifs, organic textures and a muted palette evoking earth, sky and breath. The layout respects the open structure of the poem while guiding the eye in a rhythm that feels natural and lyrical.

Every visual decision is rooted in the spirit of Whitman’s invitation to embrace oneself and the world without separation. The final edition feels both timeless and intimate, offering a fresh visual reinterpretation of a literary classic.