stuartroelke

Bloom 01 (Ballpoint and Marker) Probably another piece unconsciously inspired by Jeff VanderMeer as I continue to meander through Absolution. I've always loved the idea of a flower blooming in someone’s mind.

Second attempt at capturing the effects of S. divinorum. Took a long time to figure out how to sketch this, and it still doesn't fully encapsulate the experience—starting to understand why Alex Grey paints all those lattices.

I've never had "mad honey" (honey that contains grayanotoxins). Although it's on my bucket list, I started this drawing during a time when my schedule felt chaotic—now that chaos has returned. Joy isn’t optional. Time flies.

As I've alluded to in previous posts, sometimes sketching feels like exorcising a demon. My luck immediately turned around the day after illustrating this particular creature—these sorts of synchronicities fascinate me.

People refer to “that salvia feeling” when discussing the elusive effects of Salvia divinorum. I recently began growing several plants and experimenting with their effects again. This is an illustration of how the mysterious entheogen alters my imagination and perception.

Yet another strange bird, inspired by Jeff VanderMeer's story (refer to Strange Bird 01). While not directly tied to the narrative, it joins the array of eccentric birds I sketched in response to his book.

It has become tradition for me to accompany my partner to the auto shop, where I pass the time drawing while we wait for his car to be ready. During one of these visits, I started sketching this odd jellyfish.

After taking white vein kratom late at night, I had a vivid and unsettling "gray goo"–esque nightmare (reminiscent of the hypothetical global catastrophic scenario). It left me shaken. However, people suggested I "exorcise" the demon through my art. This was the outcome.

Inspired by Jeff VanderMeer's book of the same name. Whether it was in anticipation of one of his fan art contests—or simply due to missing the deadline—I found myself sketching peculiar birds for weeks after reading that remarkable story.

Everyone's favorite frog!

I am not sure what inspired me to draw this creature, but it appears to be looking toward the heavens for answers.

My first sketch that was inspired by consuming Mitragyna speciosa (white maeng da). I felt a salvia-esque influence on my imagination, and I had to get this idea on paper quickly.

My first sketch that was inspired by drinking Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea tea. The effects were noticeable while drawing in the garden, and my perception of color was definitely altered.