This whimsical ink and watercolor illustration by American surrealist artist Kevin Kostela captures the artist’s signature blend of turn-of-the-century satire and dreamlike fantasy. Kostela drew much of his inspiration from his childhood amidst the forests of Lake Superior. Following art school, he joined the U.S. Army and traveled extensively through Europe and parts of Africa, studying classical art, history, and architecture. Upon returning to the U.S. in the 1950s he developed a 60-year career that blended miniaturist precision, surrealist fantasy, and satirical humor. Koskela (1931-2022) was a notoriously shy and private individual who let his art speak for itself.
