Creating "The Dreaming Moon"

The Dreaming Moon - Inspired by a passage from “The Wind and the Moon”

It's fun to create small thumbnail sketches inspired by classic poems and literature. The first image (below, left) began as one of those—just a tiny study inspired by George MacDonald’s “The Wind and the Moon.”

This piece isn’t based on the more dramatic, action-filled moments of MacDonald's poem - but instead based on a passage I find a little funny and comforting - that the Moon is oblivious to all the wind's bluster, and she keeps shining and putting good things out into the world.

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Slowly she grew — till she filled the night, And shone On her throne In the sky alone, A matchless, wonderful silvery light, Radiant and lovely, the queen of the night.

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I initially explored adding movement through geometric shapes, but they felt too rigid for something as soft as wind. That’s when the idea shifted—small crescent moons began to carry the motion in a more natural, poetic way.

At the same time, I experimented with tree shapes and background compositions, working to balance the stronger silhouettes.

And the moon herself—being a radiant “Queen of the Night”—needed more than a gentle glow. She had to remain soft, but still shine, which led to the touches of gold light along her edges. This is just a glimpse into my process - it may not be the most traditional process since I use many layers in Photoshop but we all find things that work for us. I love making the design decisions involved, cutting, collaging, painting, adding/subtracting - and even stepping away a while and coming back and discovering what else needs changing, until it's done! I hope you enjoy this piece, and Happy Dreaming!