Artist Illustrates ‘Fear’ as a Misunderstood Monster That Just Needs Love and Acceptance

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

Most of us have experienced feeling fear at some point or another, but some people suffer from daily, overwhelming anxiety that stops them from living life to the fullest. Whether it stems from a specific trauma or a lifelong mental health condition, learning to live with and understand our fears can help combat the intense, all-encompassing emotions they bring. For her own personal project, Netflix Story Artist Cécile Carre recently illustrated her own visual interpretation of fear, and how to overcome it.

The 6-image series begins with a giant, terrifying monster luring over a female character, cowering towards the ground in fear. The second illustration shows the girl timidly turning to confront the monster, only to find that it has softened a little, become a little smaller, and some might say—quite cute! As the series progresses, the monster becomes a mirror image of the girl herself, and begins to change color from dark purple to sunlight yellow. The monster then turns into a child, and then a baby in need of love and acceptance. The female character embraces the “monster” and by the end of the series, it disappears completely.

Carre’s beautiful series captures the essential truth about fear. As we begin to open our hearts and minds to understand it, we can begin to heal. Since posting her illustrations on Facebook, the series has been shared over 14,000 times. The artist writes on Instagram, “I feel very grateful for the very kind words I received recently, it is very encouraging.”

You can buy Carre's About fear series as prints via her online shop and find more from her portfolio on Instagram.

Artist Cécile Carre illustrates her own visual interpretation of fear, and how to overcome it.

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

As the series progresses, the “monster” softens to show all it needs is love and acceptance.

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

The female character embraces her fear as it transforms into a child…

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

…then a baby.

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

By the end of the series, it disappears completely.

Fear Illustrations by Cécile Carre

Cécile Carre: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Behance | Shop

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Cécile Carre.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer and Video Editor at My Modern Met. She earned a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lived in Berlin for many years, where she fostered a career in the arts, dabbling in everything from illustration and animation to music and ceramics. She now calls Edinburgh home, where she continues to work as a writer, illustrator, and ceramicist. Her ceramics, often combined with hand-painted animation frames, capture playful scenes that celebrate freedom and movement, and blend her passion for art with storytelling. Her illustrations have been featured in The Berliner Magazine as well as other print magazines and a poetry book.
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