Original gouache illustration inspired by the magical ability of books to transport you into the story you're reading - in this case, a high fantasy tale. The illustration includes a reader, curled up in a cozy chair with a cup of tea, surrounded by the quintessential trappings of a high fantasy novel. Of course, we have a castle (what fantasy story doesn't have a castle?), a tiny figure on horseback (our hero? a messenger? it's up to you!), and a tiny bridge with an even tinier bridge troll, because what self-respecting bridge wouldn't have a troll? Our reader, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, is next to a stack of books to be read, and the books hold some of my favorite fantasy story items: a magic potion, an enchanted necklace, and a MacGuffin (an item, of no inherent importance, that moves the plot along, often by way of a quest, and who doesn’t love a quest). A moss covered dragon wraps around our reader, blending into the foliage but ready to spring into the skies. The river running through the painting represents the hero’s journey, both as a path and showing how the events at the castle have flowed down to effect the main character’s life and kickstart the story. Then, of course, we have a crown and sword, since high fantasy novels deal with sweeping, vast plots and often involve great battles and lost princesses.You may also notice the little raccoon, Cal, who has joined the story as a fire-wielding wizard, and I think we can all be glad that real-life raccoons can’t get up to that level of mischief.
Artwork measures 8x10" and paper measures approximately 8.5x10.5"
