The mysterious creatures and dark folk narratives of Stacey Rozich's illustrations pack a visceral punch, depicting an unfamiliar yet captivating mythology unique to Rozich's imagination, her clean lines and bold colors skillfully imbuing each illustration with its own self-contained story in the context of a larger mythos. She gathers her visual and thematic inspiration from indigenous tribes and folk traditions across the world, including her native Pacific Northwest, incorporating their surreal imagery and mysticism into her own work.

Her invented beasts occupy the world of the spirits, acting out their own history, their boldly patterned costumes and intimidating postures expressing the fearsome nature of their power. Yet, like the spirits of many traditional folktales, their emotional presence is more nuanced than simple brutality, and ultimately they are as flawed as their very human storytellers. Their interactions with the mortal realm and the natural world reveal the spiritual tension of existence, man's search for meaning in the face of an uncertain fate. These beasts act as the intermediary between humans and the unknown, advising and guiding them toward a semblance of understanding, reflecting their inner turmoil through fantastic narratives.

To see more, visit Stacey Rozich's website at www.blog.staceyrozich.com.

Guest Written by:

Laura Hines

Juxtapoz Assistant Illustration Editor

Laura is a freelance illustrator based out of Tucson, AZ.

www.lauralouisehines.com