Dreamily jotting down notes from the comfort of a closet or enjoying an afternoon read in a rowboat are some of the ways Karlotta Freier’s characters spend their time. The Brooklyn-based illustrator (previously) taps into human emotions and moods, illuminating atmospheric and sometimes surreal narratives.

Freier often plays with the nature of concealment and intrigue, like a half-hidden figure behind a door, the shadow of a bird cast onto a woman’s face, or a screen of trees framing some activity. Reflections, shadows, and repetition draw our attention to clue-like details.

The artist often uses scale to elaborate on the sense of mystery, like a tiny person riding on the back of a giant primate or an enormous, white cat asleep among colorful blooms.

Many of the illustrations shown here were commissioned for The New Yorker and The New York Times, and Freier has recently collaborated on projects with global brands like Dior and Hermès. The artist is also currently working on her first children’s book, and you can follow updates via her website and Instagram.