Illustration for Mikhail Stelmakh's book 'In the Hedgehog's Windmill' 1956

This book illustration for Mikhail Stelmakh's 'In the Hedgehog's Windmill’ was made by Hryhorii Havrylenko. The simple monochrome drawing style is like something out of a fable. I wonder what it was like for Havrylenko to create the image? I imagine it was like trying to capture the lightness and innocence of childhood. Look at the bunny tending to his teeth, while the woodpecker looks on. I love that it makes caring for your oral hygiene seem so urgent and wholesome. The drawing has a slightly rough, scratchy texture, which reminds me of Raymond Pettibon. I love how Havrylenko uses the black ink to create shadows and highlights, giving the image depth and dimension. The simple gestures of the characters are very evocative, as if they are caught in mid-action. It captures such a poignant moment, doesn't it? It's like a glimpse into a secret world. Artists are always inspiring each other, riffing off one another's ideas. Painting and drawing are forms of embodied expression, they’re about capturing a moment, a feeling, an idea, and leaving room for interpretation.