“There are a lot of things in the world right now where we need to find the exit door, and that fight-or-flight instinct is really strong for a lot of people,”says Durham-based artist annikaearley, who is also the managing director at Portland gallery speedwellprojects. “We need more refuge, and more gentleness and tenderness in life. I want to escape to that.” Filled with fantastic elements alluding to folk tales and magic, Earley’s small-scale pencil drawings create such a pathway. To read about Earley’s process and the worlds she creates, click the link in our bio. ⁠ ⁠ Story: h.irons.h⁠ Photo: christinawnek⁠ _____⁠ ⁠ #themainemag #loveme #maineartists #durhammaine #artinmaine