Woman with cat and skulls

This work grew from an interest in how domestic spaces absorb the emotional weight of the people who live in them. On the surface, the scene appears familiar and calm: a room, a plant, framed pictures, a pet. But small details begin to unsettle that sense of comfort the longer the image is held.

The repeated skull imagery functions as a quiet reminder of mortality and anxiety—objects that have been absorbed into the décor rather than confronted. They’re not dramatic or threatening; they’ve become background noise. The woman’s wide, watchful expression and the cat’s intense stare suggest an awareness of this presence, as if both are silently acknowledging what the room contains but never names.

The inspiration comes from the idea that homes often reflect internal states more than they provide refuge. Routine, comfort, and unease can coexist in the same space, and this work sits deliberately in that overlap.

In a room, the piece lifts the space through contrast rather than softness. Its bold colour and graphic structure give it immediate visual energy, while the imagery adds depth and tension. It invites repeated looking—initially playful, then quietly unsettling—making it a work that remains active and engaging rather than purely decorative

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John Stockwell is an artist based in the lush hinterland of Maleny, Queensland.

For a decade he worked as a portrait artist, honing his skill in capturing the human face with precision and sensitivity. Eventually, though, the pull of pure imagination became too strong to ignore. He set aside realism and began creating bold, quirky, exaggerated characters—wide-eyed women with swirling gazes, outsized lips, and a mischievous energy that leaps off the page.

His current works are playful, slightly absurd, and unapologetically expressive. Bright colours, distorted features, and unexpected scenarios (Glittering fish, lurking cats, floating skulls) combine to create scenes that feel both humorous and oddly haunting.

John’s art is about letting the subconscious run the show—turning everyday moments into surreal little stories that make you pause, smile, and look twice.

You can find his original drawings and limited-edition prints exclusively on Bluethumb