The Depths of Desire | Female Desire & Sexuality Editorial Illustration 

These books feature women who don’t just experience desire; they are motivated by it. That seems radical. Even more radical is the fact that these heroines and protagonists don’t necessarily fit the mould when it comes to what – or who – is usually permitted to be “sexy” in modern culture.

– Daisy Buchanan
Read the Guardian life and style piece

The depths of desire. Screenshot of a Guardian website article on female desire, featuring an editorial illustration. The image shows a nude woman laying on her belly and reading an erotic novel. Flames burst out from the pink book she is holding, creating a visually striking scene.

Editorial illustration series that celebrates female sexuality and empowerment in modern literature. Created for The Guardian’s G2 cover on bonkbuster novels, these pieces explore how desire has become central to contemporary storytelling and women’s autonomy.

Depths of Desire: editorial illustration by Edinburgh-based illustrator Monsie. Vector art exploring female arousal inspired by erotic literature.
The Depths of Desire G2 Guardian cover illustration by Monsie on female desire and sexuality. Bold editorial vector art.

Women’s desire isn’t scandalous or taboo. It’s storytelling gold. I design powerful illustrations that celebrate female sexuality, empowerment, and autonomy with boldness and joy. Let’s collaborate!

Balance, dark sinned woman with strawberry hair holding geometric figures like circle, square, rectangle and triangle on her index finger.
Harmony vector illustration of a meditating woman in lotus pose, with long flowing hair and vibrant pink and orange ribbons, symbolizing balance and energy.
A vibrant illustration of a brown-skinned Black smiling woman with pink hair, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful plants, embodying a sense of growth and enjoyment in nature.