Picture Book – Unpublished spread sample, 2023.

This unpublished spread is from a picture book commission I initially took on due to my fascination with small creatures and the creative freedom the publisher offered. While the story centered around the snail’s personal growth and challenges, I saw it as an opportunity to explore not only that but also the natural world around them, diving into the tiny habitats of snails beyond the narrative. In this scene, a vegetable-seller bird operates a shop inside an old bathtub turned compost station. The idea was inspired by a repurposed bathtub in our family’s garden, where I often saw snails moving across it, as well as my interest in DIY composting. This spread sets the tone for the book’s atmosphere, blending fun characters, free brushstrokes, colorful shapes, and rich linework, while subtly highlighting themes of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Although I ultimately had to step away from the project due to time and budget constraints, this remains one of my favorite artistic explorations.

Please note that the details mentioned here are my own creative additions and do not reflect or reveal any part of the original manuscript.