This post features one of the brand new illustrations I made for my book Faraway Dreaming.
Emerald Haven is a piece about safe places, escapism and the mysterious beauty of nature. This drawing embodies feelings that I associate with trips to our summer cabin – a shabby, humble little haven on this beautiful, green island.
Those lonely moments in the late summer’s warmth, sitting quietly by the sea, watching the billions of stars light up in the sky. There is a touching combination of peace and comfort, but also aching nostalgia and awe. A strange longing to faraway galaxies, or moments that happened decades ago in the past, or those that won’t exist until far in the future.
I created the illustration with mixed media, combining traditional ink drawing, hand-painted textures and digital coloring and editing.
This piece is also featured in my new art book Faraway Dreaming, along with my other mixed media artworks from 2015–2025, including some new pieces that you haven’t seen before. The book is published by the wonderful indie press Atthis Arts, and is available for purchase from atthisarts.com.
Artwork, photos and text © Ulla Thynell.