The Fairy Circus 1931

Dorothy Lathrop’s ‘The Fairy Circus’ is a painting that makes me think about how illustrations open up worlds. Look at the way Lathrop renders this scene, it's all about layering and building up translucent washes, a real labour of love that captures this feeling of a fairy tale. The colours are muted, but they glow somehow, especially around the fairy figure. The chipmunks are so cute, they're full of energy and movement, jumping and posing like they're putting on a show. The way she's painted the mushrooms, each with its own texture, is just amazing. There’s this one chipmunk, perched on top of a mushroom, looking out at us with its beady eyes, it's a perfect moment. It reminds me of Arthur Rackham's illustrations, in that they both create these enchanting, slightly spooky worlds. It really invites you to bring your own story to the circus.