DARK SO SOON

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION GALLERY

Dark So Soon, Valerie Caesar, 2024.

“these days, it gets so dark so early that you can be outside, enjoying the crisp fall air, and the play of sunlight through the autumn leaves in one moment, and then you find yourself plunged into a sunless dusk, the delightful breeze now a menacing chill. the children, playing the last games of tag in the nearby playgrounds, are no longer seen, and you pass windows of brownstones, aglow with lamplight, and the aromas of dinnertime. a familiar yearning starts to pull at your chest. you walk home, quickly now.”

I created this illustration in response to the way this time of year makes me feel, every year, despite decades on earth. The coming winter ushers in a melancholy vibe that underscores the particular wistfulness that comes with living alone in an urban environment, and that I feel most acutely on walks at dusk.

A CLOSER LOOK

Watch this short video at the full screen setting to view Dark So Soon in closer detail.