Human beings are intuitive storytellers. If you present people with an enticing image of a place or an action, they’ll leap — before conscious thought — to interpretations, sequences, explanations. Some images, though, particularly invite narration either because they tap into traditional stories or…or the opposite…because they’re quirky or whimsical, stirring imaginative associations and often a broad smile.
Blue Dreams
The surface may be just shapes and colours, but these images invite a story — perhaps a different one for every person viewing.
Jump. 18×26 inches, 46×67 cm. oil on canvas, professionally framed. $500
Castles from Nowhere
And no, this castle town does not exist anywhere in the real world.
Invitation to a story: animals with attitude
Invitation to a story: mermaids, magicians, mystery glades
Invitation to a story: people at play
Imaginative and fantastical, the following paintings catch moments of giddy joy, personal interconnection, or reaching (literally) for the moon. Theo’s paintings of this sort have often made good gifts, marking special events or relationships through their associations. Each is easily given your own meaning by a personal story.
The three small, playful watercolours above, each 7.5×11 inches, are each $100.
Dragons
The paintings featured below are all watercolours Theo did as illustrations for his children’s book Finding Dragons (& Driggles), in which each dragon is partnered with its own delightful read-aloud poem. These original paintings, for sale separately, are approximately 7.5 x 11 inches. Each is $125 — or else you can cover the postage for Theo and make your own equivalent donation directly to Doctors without Borders. (The book on amazon is almost free.)
Burple
Finding Dragons (&Driggles) is available on amazon as an e-book for kindle for about $2.50, to share with children on a screen.
Illustrations for Children’s Books
These illustrations were commissioned by a publisher for children’s books and appeared with stories of tricksters and quests. The original drawings are available from Theo for $50+postage each, or else the cost of postage and your own equivalent direct donation to Doctors without Borders.
Click through the slideshow below.
Invitation to a senior story
Similarly, these happy tee-shirt designs were carried by a gift shop in nearby Qualicum. Theo will post you the originals for $50+postage each or an equivalent donation of your own to Doctors without Borders.
Theo Dombrowski 
Theo! Eileen! So good to find you here… I read the article in the Nanaimo bulletin that Andy shared… big hugs from Costa Rica! Come and visit , stay in our guest room and paint frogs, hummingbirds, sloths…. 😆. We can do an exhibition and raise funds for UWC Costa Rica?