Curiosities abound in this academia-inspired illustration. These curio cabinets and carved shelves set against dark damask wallpaper highlight paintings in ornate frames, cloches, skeleton keys, and other hidden treasures. Who is the inquisitive human that has read the volumes of display books, collected oddities from afar, and made purchases from flea markets? Illustrated by the Russian artist Vasilisa Romanenko.

Vasilisa Romanenko is a New England-based illustrator, designer and fine artist. She loves to paint with both digital and traditional mediums, incorporating botanical elements, intricate patterns, and faun into her artwork. Vasilisa imagines her paintings to be windows into a magical world, much like the one she enjoyed getting lost in while reading fairy tales as a child. Vasilisa is most often found at her desk painting, with a cup of tea and her dog Basil by her side. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking and crocheting.