I've always been fascinated with images of various characters sitting in the moon so the other night I went down the internet rabbit hole, searching for where this ubiquitous scene originated and I was tickled to find it was in the studio portrait photography world! Albeit not the classiest realm of that world - it seems to be associated with carnivals and party-goers, a cheap and cheerful alternative to the more sombre, traditional studio portraits of the day. It was basically the first 'party photo booth' trend! And you thought those started with modern weddings and drunken uncles ;P  (If we ever get to gather for big soirées again, I am totally going to offer this style of photo booth.)

Anyhoo, the trend stuck around from the late 1800s well into the 1930s, maybe longer. And maybe because it was so well used, it has worked its way into the imaginations of generations of artists since then. For me it conjures up childhood daydreams and tales full of magic and wonder.

For that reason, I'm dedicating this installation of #isolationcreationpartdeux to my newest cousin who arrived just the day before I made this. Wishing she and her parents all the magic and wonder (and good sleeps!)

PS - I've saved the BTS in my Instagram story highlights, in case you're interested.
PPS - Thanks to my friend, Monique, for the moon photo!