Artwork Depicting Intimate Human Activities, Balancing Between Whimsical and Emotional (27 Images Shown)
Amanda Oleander's vibrant and enchanting illustrations delve into the secret routines and intimate moments that people experience when alone, offering a captivating glimpse into the unseen parts of everyday life. These illustrations celebrate the small, tender moments that we all can relate to but seldom share openly.
One of the illustrations portrays a person with stage 4 cancer who hides little notes around for their kids to find after they’re gone, showcasing a private way of expressing love and care. Another illustration depicts someone sitting quietly with their cat, sharing a moment of updating the pet about their day over coffee while working from home.
The comforting act of holding one's own hand at night to feel loved and held is also illustrated, as well as a cat café worker who, after closing, simply lies down with the cats, enjoying that peaceful company away from their boss’s watchful eyes. A childhood memory where a grandma brushes and braids a child's hair, creating a feeling of safety and security, is also captured.
The simple, private choice of spending the whole day in underwear is illustrated, symbolising an intimate routine many keep to themselves. Another illustration shows a person's girlfriend and them always brushing their teeth together before bed.
Amanda Oleander has collected private stories from people about their quirky habits, secret routines, and moments for themselves and turned them into colourful, charming illustrations. For instance, one person likes to sit on the kitchen counter, crisscross, with a bowl of cereal in their favorite oversized red mug. Another person sits among the pile of books and reads them while they are naked.
The illustrations also capture the small, unseen parts of everyday life, such as a person's 2-year-old son sitting on their head every time they are comfortable on the couch, or someone who dances naked at home. Mreoww shares that they smell their baby's toes every morning when he wakes up, while another person reads a book surrounded by nature for some me time.
Some illustrations depict more unusual routines, such as a person who takes mama bubble baths with their two kiddos (age 1 and 4), or another person who stomps like dinosaurs around the house with their toddler. One person shared that they hide little notes for their kids to find when they are gone, as they have stage 4 cancer.
Amanda Oleander's work offers a refreshing and relatable look into the private lives of individuals, reminding us that we all share common experiences, even in our most personal moments. These illustrations serve as a testament to the small, tender, and often unseen moments of everyday life that everyone can relate to but rarely share openly.
[1] Source: Amanda Oleander's Instagram [2] Source: Bustle [3] Source: My Modern Met
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