They’d such very odd heads and such very odd tails. 1911

Arthur Rackham drew “They’d Such Very Odd Heads and Such Very Odd Tails” using ink on paper. Just imagine Rackham’s hand moving across the page. Through trial, error, and intuition, he conjures monsters and bizarre creatures from the deep! I really sympathize with Rackham here. He was interested in the subconscious, fairytales, and dreams. I bet he had some odd dreams to draw like this! What was he thinking as he was making this? The density of the ink creates a shadowy and surreal landscape. The creatures appear to be in conversation or perhaps engaged in some kind of ritual. I love the way the lines swirl and intersect, creating depth and movement, making the creatures look like they are floating. Each stroke reveals a different perspective or emotion. Rackham's illustration shows us what can happen when we let our minds wander, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty. He reminds us that art is always in dialogue, inspiring new forms of creative expression across time.