OP, we can't answer if you're "on the right track" for a subjective question seeking how to photographically convey a concept. But hopefully you'll get some answers with ideas or suggestions about how others might try to approach or pose your concept.

@osullic Disagreed. This is an example of a Good Subjective question. Photo-SE straddles the objective scientific and subjective artistic sides of the Stack Exchange network.

@xenoid GIMP is on-topic here, just like PS, if they're used in a photgraphic context.