If you’re already familiar with Ms. Peffer’s work at Dragon Shadows, perhaps you’ve discovered the secret of her art.

It’s not simply the skill in which she renders her mythological subjects… it’s also the moods she captures in nearly every single piece. You’ll find this unseen force in her fairies and other winged folk, as well as her dragons and griffons.

Her style has developed over the years, but she’s always seemed to thrive in a particular niche that transcends her anime roots and gothic themes. What is this mystery thread that runs through all of Jessica’s works? Let’s just call it Spooky Cute.

Perhaps it sounds a little silly, but how else would you describe cuddly monsters and tormented angels? The Cute is almost always obvious, but the Spooky often lurks just under the surface. To be fair, her t-shirt designs seem particularly light on the Spooky, and heavy on the Cute, but these might just be the exceptions that prove the rule.

Analysis aside, Ms. Peffer’s works are a delightful journey into a beautiful — if slightly dangerous — world of fantasy.