Sophie Blackall – illustrations to inspire

I first came across Sophie Blackall‘s work while perusing the latest issue of Lucky Magazine. Although clearly I have been under a rock, as Sophie’s gorgeous illustrations have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Architectural Digest, Town and Country, Vogue and Gourmet, as well as over 17 childrens books!

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As you can see Sophie’s work is full of whimsy, and the most adorable details. She is clearly a true talent and one I am truly inspired by.

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But her missed connections series is really where she sold me. This is the most clever idea ever!  She really puts it best in her own words “Messages in bottles, smoke signals, letters written in the sand; the modern equivalents are the funny, sad, beautiful, hopeful, hopeless, poetic posts on Missed Connections websites. Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I’m trying to pin a few of them down.”. She takes snippets from her local craigs list and turns them into these magical, whimsical paintings. You can purchase some of these at her etsy shop.