I really like the illustrations by Sir John Tenniel, who drew the illustrations for Alice in Wonderland. Now I’ve discovered another ancient illustrator. You should definitely take a look at the surreal illustrations from J.J. Grandville’sUn Autre Monde (1844).
“Until now, I believe, no work of art has understood and expressed dreams” – JJ Grandville
His drawings I find very cool. He was a genius. Now I know that Sir Tenniel was inspired by him. I wish I could draw that well, too.
This is my new heart pillow, I gifted to myself. I saw it in the shop window of a book store back then, and it was love at first sight. It’s super soft and super nice and super cute. I’m totally in love with it. ❤️ 🥰
It makes me smile when I look at it. And it brightens my day.
‘Lit, lag, loose’ is the doomer version of ‘live, laugh, love’. 😀 It can be interpreted as a contrasting phrase in the following way:
1. ‘Lit’: In this context, lit refers to being cool, exciting, and ahead of your time. It can also imply feeling high. Additionally, lit can mean illuminated, which may convey a sense of clarity or awareness. This dual meaning contrasts with the straightforward positivity of ‘live’, as it can hint at both a superficial excitement and a deeper understanding.
2. ‘Lag‘: This word indicates a delay or waiting for happiness, which contrasts with the immediacy and joy implied in ‘laugh’. While ‘laugh’ suggests finding joy and humor in life, ‘lag’ implies that happiness is not readily available and may come after a struggle or delay. Lag can also be associated with the effects of sedative drug use, where individuals may experience a sense of sluggishness or a delay in their emotional responses.
3. ‘Loose‘: This term suggests a sense of failure or being a ‘loser’, which contrasts sharply with the positive connotation of ‘love’ in the original phrase. While ‘love’ encourages connection and positivity, ‘loose’ implies a lack of direction or purpose, possibly leading to feelings of inadequacy or disappointment. Loose can as well evoke the imagery of a broken heart, particularly in the context of lovesickness, where one may feel emotionally unanchored and suffer from the pain of unrequited love or a failed relationship.
In essence, while ‘live, laugh, love’ encourages a proactive and optimistic mindset, ‘lit lag loose’ reflects a more nuanced and perhaps cynical view of contemporary life, highlighting the struggles that can accompany the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.
Once upon a time, in a bustling city filled with towering buildings and winding streets, there lived a radiant sun named Sunny. She was a vibrant, golden figure who floated above the city, casting her warm glow on everything below. Sunny loved to shine, and her laughter echoed through the air like a gentle breeze.
In the heart of the city stood a charming attic apartment named Roofie. With slanted ceilings and cozy nooks, Roofie was a haven for dreamers and artists. He adored Sunny, basking in her light and warmth, but there were days when her intensity became overwhelming.
One particularly sweltering afternoon, Sunny beamed down with all her might. “Hello, Roofie!” she called, her voice bright and cheerful. “I’m here to make your day even warmer!”
Roofie sighed, feeling the heat radiate through his wooden beams. “Oh, Sunny, I love your warmth, but today is just too much! I’m sweating like never before!”
Sunny giggled, her rays shimmering with delight. “But don’t you see? I’m just trying to help you shine brighter! You’re so lovely when you’re glowing!”
Roofie appreciated her sentiment, but the heat was becoming unbearable. “I know, I know! But I’m just a little attic. I can’t handle all this heat! I need a break!”
Sunny paused, her golden light softening as she considered Roofie’s plight. “What if I give you a little shade? Just for a moment?”
With a gentle wave of her hand, Sunny summoned a few fluffy clouds to drift between her and Roofie. The clouds filtered her rays, creating a soft, dappled light that danced across Roofie’s walls.
“Oh, that’s much better!” Roofie exclaimed, feeling the coolness wash over him. “Thank you, Sunny! You always know how to make things right.”
Sunny smiled, her heart swelling with joy. “I’ll always be here for you, Roofie. Just remember, even on the hottest days, I can bring a little relief.”
But as the afternoon wore on, the distance between Roofie and Sunny began to grow. The hot summer days were numbered, and Sunny’s rays no longer felt as intense. One day, it happened suddenly: Roofie stepped outside at night, expecting the warmth of summer, only to find himself shivering and needing a jacket. The chill in the air struck him like a bolt of lightning, and he realized that summer had slipped away, taking Sunny with it.
Roofie felt a deep sense of loss wash over him. He mourned the warmth he had taken for granted, regretting the moments he hadn’t fully appreciated Sunny’s brilliance. Now, as the cold winds of autumn began to blow, he faced the stark reality of a long, cold winter ahead.
He sat in his attic, wrapped in a blanket, staring out at the darkening sky. The memories of Sunny’s laughter and warmth echoed in his mind, and he longed for the days when her light filled his space with joy. The vibrant colors of summer faded into the grayness of fall, and Roofie realized that he had let the most precious moments slip away.
As the first snowflakes began to fall, Roofie whispered a silent apology to the sun he had loved so dearly. He vowed to cherish the warmth of memories, hoping that one day, Sunny would return to brighten his world once more.
The poetry book by Leonard Cohen, ‘The Book of Longing,’ inspired me to want to create a poetry book as well. And so, I now write a few poems or songs every day and want to create some illustrations to go along with them. Once I have a certain number of pieces, I would like to have them printed.
…Yes, I had to add a picture of a sheep. 😀 It adds a humorous layer, but it captures the innocence, naivety and vulnerable nature filled with fear quite well.
Little Sheep
(Verse 1) I see you here sleeping, deep in a dream, So peacefully, and cozy like a fluffy sheep. I see the child in you, so innocent and kind, In this quiet moment, our souls intertwined.
(Chorus) I give you a lovely kiss, like we were kids at three, It’s the sweetest feeling, just you and me. I wish this moment would never end, But soon the alarm will ring, and reality will descend.
(Verse 2) I want nothing more than to lie here with you, Caressing your hair, keeping you warm too. You’re gentle like a cloud, soft and divine, In this uncomfy world, you’re my pillow, you’re my peace of mind
(Chorus) I give you a lovely kiss, like we were kids at three, It’s the sweetest feeling, just you and me. I wish this moment would never end, But soon the alarm will ring, and reality will descend.
(Bridge) That is the nicest feeling, the horizon fades away, Nothing else matters, in this perfect lay. I hold you close, let’s stay in this bliss, Next to your side, I find my happiness.
(Chorus) I give you a lovely kiss, like we were kids at three, It’s the sweetest feeling, just you and me. I wish this moment would never end, But soon the alarm will ring, and reality will descend.
(Outro) Let’s hold on to this moment, as the stars fade away, We’re lying on a hill in the grass, forever we shall stay Nothing is worth more than this feeling right here, Like two little sheep sleeping, we have nothing to fear.
That’s to my lover “Mr. Happy”. I wonder if he’s a cheater or is it me. His frame is on my nightstand, but in my drawer is a picture of “Mr. Blues”.
In the Faith of Doubt
(Verse 1) I think I’m happy to see you, But there’s something in the air, An inner voice of fear and doubt, I hope we find a moment to share. But then you walk on by, And I feel something’s off, It’s like every word I say, Just makes you want to scoff.
(Chorus) Like two magnets pushing away, I wonder what I did wrong today. I’m scared to speak, scared to move, Nothing I do seems to improve. Why are you so cold, so far? A stranger sits where you once were. It’s not the same as it used to be, You’ve turned your back, and I can’t see.
(Verse 2) I try to stay optimistic, But my heart is filled with doubt, Will this end in tears again? I can’t help but think about. How do you keep me believing, That we can have a good time, When you don’t even feel it, When you don’t even try to let it shine
(Chorus) Like two magnets pushing away, I wonder what I did wrong today. I’m scared to speak, scared to move, Nothing I do seems to improve. Why are you so cold, so far? A stranger sits where you once were. It’s not the same as it used to be, You’ve turned your back, and I can’t see.
(Bridge) I’ve believed in us so fiercely, With tears streaming down my face, But you leave me in the shadows, A loyal dog lost in this place. What have I done to make you frown? No matter what, I can’t turn it around. I’m not allowed to laugh or rest, Caught in your mood, I feel so stressed.
(Chorus) Like two magnets pushing away, I wonder what I did wrong today. I’m scared to speak, scared to move, Nothing I do seems to improve. Why are you so cold, so far? A stranger sits where you once were. It’s not the same as it used to be, You’ve turned your back, and I can’t see.
(Outro) Always dissatisfied, never enough, In this silence, it’s so tough. No matter what, it’s never right, I’m here but not in your sight. I should be close, but I’m pushed away, Always unsatisfied, never okay. I wonder what you want from me, I’m lost in the faith of doubt, Wondering what this love’s about.
Verse 1 It’s late at night, I’m alone in my room, Staring at the screen, lost in the gloom. Watching silly videos, wasting my time, I’m tired, but the caffeine keeps me in line. A haunting song plays on repeat, Wishing someone would invite me to a party, just to retreat. But no one calls, I’m stuck in this space, Jotting down my thoughts, trying to find my place. Can’t think too much, or I’ll drown in the blue, The silence creeps in, and I feel it too.
Chorus Sometimes I think I could be so happy, Then I overthink, and it all feels so tacky. Sometimes I think I should just go to sleep, But the thoughts keep me up, and the night feels so deep.
Verse 2 Which of my dreams should I bring to the light? So many choices, but I can’t decide right. Procrastination’s a thief, stealing my drive, Pour another cup of night coffee, just to survive. I don’t want to sleep; I’m bursting with plans, But instead of creating, I’m lost in the sounds. Hours slip away, so many sketches undone, Nothing feels right, and I’m back to square one. Crumpling the paper, tearing pages apart, While the best of my visions fade out of my thoughts.
Verse 3 I love to walk through the city at night, Admiring the darkness, no person in sight. The quiet surrounds me, the streets are so bare, While everyone’s sleeping, I breathe in the air. I capture the shadows with my camera’s gaze, Defying the darkness, finding light in this space. The atmosphere surrounds, it’s perfect and clear, It’s almost like magic, it’s all that I hear. Walking a dark path through nothing but black, Just a few glowing spots, guiding me back. A cat crosses my way, I give it a pet, Its purring’s the highlight, I’ll never forget.
Verse 4 Heading back home, back to my room, Alone with my laptop, surrounded by gloom. A spider crawls by, daring to creep, I carry it outside, while the world’s fast asleep. How long must I struggle, how long will it take, To break this cycle of things that just break? How many lonely nights will I have to endure, Till I find satisfaction, till I feel secure? How many more paintings must I try to create, Before I express what I truly relate? How many more lyrics will I write in the dark, How many more songs will ignite that spark? How many cups of coffee must I drink to unwind, To lay down at night, with peace in my mind?
Verse 5 I savor a piece of the darkest chocolate I could find, It’s as deep as the night, with a bittersweet bind. I search for some sweetness, yet the bitterness stays, Heavy on my tongue, like the past in a haze. A single bite is enough to draw you in, Enough to stir the night within. I turn on the nightlight, an old bulb’s soft glow, Inefficient like me, but it shines through the low. It lights up the darkness until morning’s grace, A picture tells more than a thousand words can, But I’d choose to write a thousand, instead of painting a canvas I trace the reflections of moments long gone, In the stillness of night, where my thoughts linger on