watch out !

One of the many interesting things in Babel to me is the group dynamic and quite pointed (in my opinion) use of the word love in that context. The repeated phrase that they would die for each other (which, as we know from one of the characters, is rather the easy way). When I read this phrase it simultaneously felt like so much, my chest expanded while my brain blared with alarms. And at the same time I feel so much compassion towards these kids. Living is a bitch, circumstances is a bitch, and yet we are still responsible for our actions, doubtlessly.

Another love creator/object was Oxford and the academic life itself. I don't know if any comments are needed there. I think in an alternative dimension I went down a similar path :) In this one I get pangs of intense love and connection to humanity from new knowledge. Not that I don't get that my idea of academia is very much a fantasy for so many reasons, some of which are crucial in the book.

Anyway, love, its forms and its absence mould us so much. And it's so hard to regret love, however it passes. And here are some closeups:

This one was bit harder than usual and I enjoyed all its puzzles immensely. The colouring of the books took some experimentation and there are as many as 10 different colours in some of the covers, although they all look brown :D

I also went through several bargaining stages with myself whether it should be in colour at all, and if yes, brown or green or white background. In the end I've made my own background with watercolours and then drew on it with pencils.

I've also greatly enjoyed drawing non-white person facial features (thanks pinterest for references!) Hope to do it again.