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jflaxman — A Tale of Woe

Published: 2013-06-18 07:34:03 +0000 UTC; Views: 8420; Favourites: 227; Downloads: 95
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Description     The trouble began with new censorship laws. An unpopular Prime Minister decided the insects responsible for pollination were philandering misogynists, and on the pretext they were genitals exposed to the public eye, proceeded to ban butterflies. This made no difference to most people, who still marched grim-faced to work every morning, and in the evening came home to reality TV and uneasy medicated dreams. Yet it had a tragic effect on Sebacea, who made her amniotic scones from sugar, flour, food dye, yeast and afterbirth scrounged from maternity wards. Butterflies had led her to those strange sorts who bought her scones, but now that they had disappeared she had to follow moths instead.

    The moths led her far away from the city and into a place where few things grew. Here she encountered Heriphet, a relative of Hello Kitty, who rose above the desolate land like a hopelessly misplaced fairground attraction. Heriphet rarely moved, for her bones felt like broken glass and her limbs had fused together; but she drank the tears of the Gerenites, who had the heads of rotting sheep and the voices of abandoned children, and her luminous nose attracted the moths which she caught with her long sticky tongue.

    Sebacea was a little disturbed, but offered Heriphet her scones. Heriphet was silent at first, then uttered a wet whistling sound, like that made by sucking lung wounds. “I see,” said Sebacea. “Then I should go.” Unfortunately she was lost; and she could not follow the moths home as they arrived from all directions. Cursing the incompetence that had led her so far astray, Sebacea trudged into the mists that swathed the cold earth like a funeral shroud. Some say she wanders even now, offering her scones to souls who fail to materialise.


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Comments: 16

Iberisdiablo [2016-08-24 06:52:37 +0000 UTC]

Her right hand is backwards

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seldompie [2014-12-09 16:26:02 +0000 UTC]

haha, how bizarrely charming.

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Ribbon-Candy-Kitten [2013-12-23 01:32:24 +0000 UTC]

Elegantly bizarre

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Colby-Chan [2013-11-12 03:17:35 +0000 UTC]

The story you added to your artwork is great! And I just love how creepy the monster looks. Amazing concept and a very cool story with your work! 

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AdamPatrickLina [2013-07-29 20:03:47 +0000 UTC]

I can has scone?!

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eyeless-ilis [2013-07-29 03:29:46 +0000 UTC]

Featured!

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Empty-Brooke [2013-07-03 11:33:55 +0000 UTC]

This is an amusing and uncomfortable kind of utterly adorable.
Picture-wise, I'm loving the contrast between the scones, bow and tongue compared to everything else. The background being either so close to the bottom of the page or else so difficult to see makes Heriphet seem so much taller and more imposing... which the protruding tongue and the bow also contrast.
... I don't know why, but that sort of made me laugh

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Beltaneh [2013-07-01 06:31:28 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful style. The feeling of the picture is rather difficult to describe for me, it's something between a still sadness and the feeling of no hope, but without any grief ^^¡¡¡ The story is a stunning piece

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Viergacht [2013-06-26 12:39:35 +0000 UTC]

This is some gorgeous surrealism. I feel like there's a deep meaning to it that's not quite in my grasp

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dantrekfan48 [2013-06-26 12:02:52 +0000 UTC]

Wow... that was a colorful story to accompany the equally bizarre picture. Still, I find it rather refreshing, taking a break from logic and reality for a while. Nicely done.

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plaidedbra [2013-06-21 05:09:22 +0000 UTC]

This image is stunning, and the story behind it is even more amazing. Heriphet wonderfully renders the woe of the tale with her expression.

If I may nit-pick, the image doesn't convey the "glowing nose" that well. I understand if that detail is mentioned in the story to explain the moths' appearance, and that at this frame the glow was turned off. Considering how light the colors in your piece are overall, I think only a few highlights would need to be added to better show the glowing nose.

I'd love to see more of this story and these characters. I only just found you now through the "Eldridge Shores" group, so I shall browse through your gallery next.

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queenmotherbug [2013-06-18 22:15:22 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, dark artwork. The accompanying story is enchanting and bizarre. I love your twisted visions.

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SnailPropulsionLabs [2013-06-18 22:04:09 +0000 UTC]

The tales you weave encircle me and leave me wanting.
Great work as always.

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Malastrome15 [2013-06-18 18:28:09 +0000 UTC]

First word that came to mind.... Dope. Excellent work.

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Omny87 [2013-06-18 14:07:12 +0000 UTC]

Whoh.

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Valdevia [2013-06-18 11:23:52 +0000 UTC]

I love it! and the stories you tell in the description are even more awesome
you should write something. like a short story or a made-up myth. would totally read that shit

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