Smoke speaks in mesmerizing riddles: "I lack a mouth, but I can
speak.... I lack hands, but I can push out unwanted guests.... I'm
gentler than a feather, but I can cause harm.... This rhythmically
powerful narration is complemented by illustrations in which swirling
smoke was captured on art paper held over smoky candle flames, and the
dancing smoke textures were then deepened and elaborated with
watercolors and Photoshop finishes. With this unique method, Merce López
"let the smoke decide how the idea I had in mind would dance with it,
giving freedom to the images."
The resulting illustrations are astounding, and they resonate with the
otherworldly text.