Women with cat and vampire smileys

This artwork was inspired by the contrast between cheerful surfaces and the emotions that sit just behind them. The room is filled with familiar, upbeat symbols—a smiling face on the wall, bright colours, a tidy interior—yet the expressions of the woman and the cat suggest something more complicated is happening beneath that optimism.

The inspiration comes from everyday moments where things appear “fine” on the outside, even when they’re not. By pairing playful imagery with subtle tension, the work explores how easily positivity can become a mask rather than a state of mind.

In a room, this piece lifts the space through colour, humour, and character. It has an immediate, approachable presence that draws people in, while the layered expressions and symbolism keep it interesting over time. It’s a work that adds personality and conversation to a space—light enough to feel inviting, but with enough depth to reward closer looking

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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