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French surrealist Guy Billout is responsible for some of the most awesomely thought-provoking illustrations you'll see out there. The key to his meaningful artworks is that they don't just shout "surrealism", but usually feature settings that look totally realistic until one detail turns everything around.

Guy Billout finished his art training in France, in the city of Beaune. Which then led him into advertising, where he spent a few years before coming to New York City in 1969. That's where his career really took off after a successful publication of his unique art in the New York Magazine.

This allowed Billout to express himself freely in his meaningful drawings, unleashing his surreal mind which the artist later shared with the biggest US media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, and many more, including even several books, like the collection of Greek mythology.

More info: Guy Billout

#1

Surreal Illustration

Guy Billout Report

Kaitlyn DSOUZA
Community Member
9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I told you to look under the carpet Steve!"

Sgrsg
Community Member
9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what I used to think

Sgrsg
Community Member
9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, they closed the beach and covered it with a huge tarpaulin

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    #2

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Tah Layyah
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hah I just thought about Groot and Baby Groot ^^

    #3

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Viva Kirk
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    even though you may feel broken outside sometimes, your true self is well put together.

    asperaspects
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can someone pls explain this to me?:)

    Celeste Spaniel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Instead of his reflection being in the water, his reflection is on the land :)

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    Amrawat Unmesha
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your reflection may appear as something that is definite, but your existence in the real world is extremely vague and indefinite (or) / You claim to know the utmost truth about yourself but in reality you’re just a wavering being

    Daniel Schmidt
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The reflection you receive back from the world is more true to who you are than your own perception

    A Marie
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What if anything reflective were actually borders between two dimensions, and we were looking at other versions of ourselves

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    #5

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Lorraine
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This wouldn't work in the Triwizard Tournament!

    Lilya
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy has only cut a handful of leaves whereas the girl has cut a lot... :p

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    Meredith
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now THATS the way you get through the labyrinth

    Mondal Dulal
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Flexibility is mysterious that's important of human life. Straight line is dead line.

    #6

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Fatemeh
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If only Titanic could do this.

    IRefuseToBeHuman
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like this would be a thing in the future

    #7

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    JEFF THE KILLER
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that was close..... Wife- "I TOLD U NOT TO GO THAT WAY STEVE"

    Derpy Bob
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you going to ask for directions?

    #8

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Sgrsg
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let's bring our heads together

    sam simmonds
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you collaborate anything is possible

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    #10

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Kalena Abelmann
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that is one adorable goat/cow (i can't tell)

    Susan Forbes
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Either that cow's been there a long time or you really are what you eat

    #11

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Agnes Auxiliatrix
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lmao me trying to be a street performer like

    Timothy D.
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i thought the big case was a bus stop... lol?

    nazan fidan
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is nice :) such a revolt:)

    Alesha Folsom
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "So you stop at the bus stop with the big piano!" "Yep, that's the one!"

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    #13

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Lilya
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Commit suiciding tree!

    IRefuseToBeHuman
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It just isn't a cello yet.

    Alesha Folsom
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The cello is playing itself for a change...

    #14

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Sgrsg
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a curtain raiser!

    Timothy D.
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if this were the berlin wall, i'd make a joke about the iron curtain

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    Alesha Folsom
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So this is who lives under the Great Wall??!! Hmmm

    sam simmonds
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wall was built to keep our enemies. But the capitalists, enemies of China. Got through. The working man with his brief case.

    #15

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #16

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Nhi Võ
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    is that what happen after a huge rain and the sewage system can't handle it?

    Koko Sempai
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is what it would be like for fish in the ocean

    Slim 864 GVG
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Exxon Valdez docked in Venice.

    Bobbi Newell
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of kids playing Hot Lava 8-D

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    #18

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Why Does It Matter
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else see the 10th doctor? No? Just me? Okay then... *awkwardly walks away*

    Nhi Võ
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sky is another sea. Sea of Air :3

    #20

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    The Alchemist
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The small things are more important than you think.

    Jasmine Chen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The house is made of marshmallows

    #21

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Ninja Says
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One assuming they need to go great distances. In hind sight, it's closer than one may think.

    #26

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #27

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #28

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    David Hascup
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not 2 trains about to collide, it's 1 train becomes 2

    Rob Vaillancourt
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The suspense is terrible...I hope it will last!

    Tracey Reed
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Split personality. The engines are pulling in 2 different directions.

    Bobbi Newell
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two trains diverged on the track, and I... Uh, what?

    #30

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Le-a Beach
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd hate to be the guy getting stuck behind the truck in traffic.

    Beccy Haragan
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That'd be a b***h to overtake

    G G
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every drivable lane in LA at exactly 3pm

    #31

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Gislane Schramm
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i loved this one, for reflection, about war.. and what is best on our wonderful blue planet

    #32

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

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    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

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    #37

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    quinn zhou
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    #38

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #40

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    #41

    Surreal Illustration

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    #44

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #45

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Tomasz
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    " Hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my rag time gal!"

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    #46

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    JP 97402
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Interesting. Never pictured it like this before...

    #47

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #48

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Brandon Kaleta
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    id like to think this is profound, how light pollution in the city makes the stars disappear and he's a metaphor for that but then again its all up to interpretation

    Susan Forbes
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently his reach exceeds his grasp

    #49

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #50

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #52

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #53

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #54

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Aimee Lee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He predicted Quarentine 2019

    sam simmonds
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The age of the phone. Nobody talks face to face no matter how close.

    #55

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Nurul Syafiqa Abdul Wahab
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Achieving her goal with her effort and with the help of God?

    Aimee Lee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No matter how far women climb, the system won't allow them to

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    #60

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    Flávia Xavier
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You may only see darkness because of where you are.

    #61

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report

    #62

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    #63

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    #66

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    #67

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    #68

    Surreal Illustration

    Guy Billout Report