Paradise Lost

Illustration Storybook

Do people who escape into a fantasy world do so because they are disappointed with reality? Or are they hurt by the real world and unable to change their situation, leaving them with no choice but to escape? Perhaps they have so many unrealistic expectations about the world that they can only find solace in their dreams when reality fails to satisfy them. The truth is, people often seek refuge in illusions as a means of escaping reality. A theme park is a haven of fun and dreams, creating a unique and highly entertaining atmosphere that evokes strong emotions. However, it is also a place where people can escape from reality and may addict themselves to a world of fantasy.

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I aim to create a storybook with hidden messages for the audience to discover on their own. For instance, the animal mascots in the story have their own actions and secrets that occur behind the scenes. In one particular spread page, the girl and other characters take a boat ride which is inspired by the real-life Disneyland story "It's a Small World." While the girl is captivated by the flower people's dance and music, a dove holds onto some pieces of her hair and a goat secretly boils a jar of magic.

Additionally, one of the girls on the right side has one eye that is not covered by flowers and tears are streaming down her face. These moments convey a message that something is happening in this fantasy world that is not in the right position. Initially, I planned to illustrate these key moments in black and white lines, but I realized it might be too obvious and detract from the audience's enjoyment. Therefore, I decided to keep it a surprise and blend all the elements into one piece of illustration.