ABOUT THE PROJECT
It certainly feels like the end of the world (really, I think
every year feels like that in its own way, but maybe that’s
just me). I began this project with a vague idea of
illustrating creatures described in the Bible, like
Job’s Leviathan and the Serpent in the garden of Eden.
I eventually narrowed my scope to the Book of Revelation.
The creatures inhabiting John’s vision of the end times
all share a special beauty and horror, looming in
impossible shapes with too many eyes and heads,
which seemed appropriate for 2020. More than any
other part of the Bible I read growing up, the
Book of Revelation fascinated and scared me
in equal amounts.
Artistically, I was inspired by the massive
amount of animal media I have consumed all
my life. Nonfiction nature books were my go-to in the library
as a kid, and the illustrations in Zoobooks in particular still occupy
a massive chunk of my brain. The bright colors for the creatures of heaven
are partially a nod to the likes of Lisa Frank, another pop culture animal icon
integral to the landscape that shaped me. The sheer otherworldly nature of the creatures
I was trying to illustrate seemed to deserve a rainbow riot of colors.
Overall, I hope I was able to translate some of the awe that the descriptions in Revelation inspire in me into my work. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with this project, including my family, friends, and professors who taught and encouraged me along this journey.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I’m Julia Patterson. I’ve been drawing my whole life, and I’ve spent the last 4 years trying to improve myself with the help of my wonderful professors and peers at the University of Texas at Dallas, pursuing a degree in Arts and Technology. Along the way, I have also put time into a Visual Arts minor and a Computer Science minor, both of which have added to my experience in the artistic and digital fields. I work in both traditional and digital mediums. Subject wise, I love to create illustrations, storyboards, and art in general that speaks both to me and the viewer, telling stories and sharing feelings with everything I do.
CONTACT
For information about commissions, collaboration, etc., please reach me at
My portfolio can be found here on Behance
Thank you!