9.5" x 7"
Ink on paper
The idea for this illustration was based on the story that Robert Graves, before writing I, Claudius, and after reading Suetonius' historical account of the Roman Empire, was visited by Claudius in a dream. Now, the fourth Roman emporer doesn't show up in your bedroom just for fun. He was tired of being depicted as less-than-competent throughout history, and asked Graves to tell his real story. So, Robert Graves writes I, Claudius and Claudius the God and I am assuming Claudius didn't stop by again unless it was to say thanks.
The way you illustrated this is unusual, in that, one would normally create a dark room by using a dark wash over it. This, however, is a darkness made of little bits of energetic lines. When I went to bed last night, I noted that the darkness of the room (and the darkness when I shut my eyes) had little dots of energy/light in it, similar to your picture...I'm not sure if everyone sees that effect. The energy in your illustration seems very restless and strange, and the visitor has a forceful, oppressive presence due to the horse's head reaching the ceiling and it's leg seeming to bear down upon the sleeping man. I also like how it broke in through the wall, not just materializing in the room. Keep going Martha! :)
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