Readers,

This volume celebrates bold expression in all its forms. We bring you in-depth interviews with fantastic creatives, blending realism, fantasy, and raw emotion.

You’ll encounter Aleksei Rumanietsev, who rejects premeditated narratives, relying solely on intuition and gesture to create allegorical mixed media works about identity and the human psyche. Discover the vibrant world of Natalie Aleksejeva, a self-taught artist whose oil and acrylic works feature animals and fantasy flowers drawn from nature and emotion. Meet David Brady, renowned for provocative depictions of contemporary life and his layered collage drawings exploring social issues like mental health. Bernadett Gurdon (Mocarro) shares her self-taught journey, focusing on fantasy creatures and animals as an escape from reality. Finally, connect with Grace Samuel Lie, who blends illustration and music to craft compelling visual narratives, allowing emotional outbursts of joy and confusion to guide her art.