“I was always drawn into the world of fantasy. As a child, I saw forests as living beings, and my imagination ran wildly free… I could search for the Easter Bunny for days, convinced I might glimpse it from afar. But does imagination truly fade under the weight of daily routine — or does it simply wait to be rediscovered?”
Video link: https://youtu.be/ckBNpsyN2tY
This is how Lars van de Goor, author of the illustrated book “With Elven Eyes”, reflects on the roots of his artistic vision. In 2017, together with his wife, he exchanged their conventional home for a mobile one, setting off on a journey across Europe in search of enchanted forests and extraordinary trees.
They explored old villages and historic cities, while weathered doors and elegant windows never escaped his lens. One day,
an unusual idea took shape: to intertwine his two favorite subjects by placing doors and windows into tree trunks. And so, an entirely new world emerged.
According to Van de Goor, trees are already magnificent beings on their own, but when woven together with architectural elements, they appear even more dignified — transformed into gateways of imagination. And he was right.
What would life be without imagination?
“With Elven Eyes” is a remarkable photographic collection inspired by the most majestic and characterful trees. The fairy-tale images invite viewers into a magical realm that stimulates the imagination. As we turn the pages, we begin to discover new things — perhaps even things that are not really there.
Yet it is Van de Goor’s unmistakable, painterly style that makes this collection a timeless visual experience, one to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
THE TREE HOUSE
Inspired by the book “With Elven Eyes” by Dutch photographer Lars van de Goor
Author: © Ajetë Shaban Beqiraj
YouTube: youtube.com/@JetaBeqiraj
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© 2006–2026 Ajetë Shaban Beqiraj. All rights reserved.