You can follow the link if you wish to order a copy of Fool Magazine.
Image for the text "No Reward, No Rebuke" written by Sean Brock
The making of this illustration was especially memorable, as it took place during the height of the Covid-19 lockdown in Canada. Access to flowers from shops was nearly impossible, and seasonal wildflowers were scarce in the northern region at that time. A solution had to be found—and quickly.
During the lockdown, only businesses deemed “essential” remained open, which meant access to food and ingredients. Since this work was for a food magazine, vegetables became a perfect substitute. After all, they are plants too, making the process feel surprisingly close to the usual workflow.
Sean’s tattoos, featuring illustrations of ingredients like radishes, peas, cherry tomatoes, and purple maize, revealed his deep connection to these consumables. These motifs became the main inspiration for the illustration, applied to a Japanese-style tattoo dragon.
Image for the text "My Journey" written by Thomas Frebel
Reading Thomas’s text felt like flipping through his personal photo journal, offering a glimpse of both the rewarding and more challenging moments he experienced while launching his restaurant Inua in downtown Tokyo.
The concept took shape as a collection of floral butterflies, each representing a memory from Thomas’s photo book, like a delicate memory box brought to life.
Image for the text "The Ways of an Unhurried World" written by Andoni Luis Aduriz
Reading Andoni’s text, his reflections on the art of sushi making became the inspiration for this image. Sushi, with each step perfected and maintained with consistency, can appear deceptively simple to an untrained eye. Similarly, Japanese calligraphy embodies a subtle complexity and discipline.
The concept was inspired by the fluidity of a calligraphy brush stroke. A piece of driftwood found in the countryside served as the central element, laid over a bed of dark pebbles to reference the depth of calligraphy ink. Water was added to connect the natural elements and evoke a sense of movement—mirroring the way culture and tradition are shaped by persistent forces, like waves against the shore.
The photoshoot was challenging, requiring careful control of both the water flow and the direction of floating flower petals while capturing each shot.
