ADVERTISEMENT

Nadia Tolstoy is an artist from Stockholm who illustrates wordplay into fun doodles that she calls "Surrealians." Her works have been featured many times on Bored Panda before, and today, we would like to share her latest ones!

"Surrealians" blend puns, humor, and surrealism. The artist is inviting you to see extra layers of words by twisting them and complementing them with cute doodles. As Nadia previously shared, she creates these drawings simply because they make her smile. So, our only hope is that they will make you smile as well!

More info: Instagram | surrealians.com | x.com

In a more recent interview with Nadia, she shared whether anything has changed since the last post.

She wrote: “Not much has changed, I live a very stable life, and my Surrealians page is unfortunately just a side hobby... But I did make some beautiful limited-edition color Risograph prints of six of my @surrealians doodles.

I'm now hosting regular giveaways on Instagram for the six different prints I made. I've already raffled off the ONION RING, and there are 5 more to come, so keep an eye out!”

#2

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
sbj
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably could do a lo better than my sorry excuse for a manager

View more commentsArrow down menu

As Nadia’s art continues to gain popularity, we asked if she feels pressure to stick to a specific style or theme, or if she sees herself exploring new artistic directions in the future.

Nadia responded: “Well, I do feel some pressure to stick to my simple line drawing style to keep my feed looking organized and consistent. But that’s probably just my own sense of order at play… I’ve experimented with color every now and then (like with the Riso prints), but I usually put the color version on the second slide to keep my page completely monochromatic.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although I also have another Instagram page for my training, and it’s a complete explosion of color, so who knows, maybe adding some color is in the cards… I really admire the poet Brian Bilston because his clever wordplay and humor turn ordinary observations into brilliantly crafted things. So, I’d love to illustrate one of his poems!

I’ve also been featured in Reader's Digest before, but I’d love to do a regular cartoon related to the current month’s holiday (like Easter and Christmas) because @readersdigest is that classic magazine full of easy reads and bits of humor—it’s been around for ages. And I love their tagline: 'A trusted friend in a complicated world.'

I also love Neve’s dad's humor on TikTok. She’s so fresh and fun!

And, of course, if my puns could be used in the context of English language teaching, that would be wonderful, too. But to be honest, I would be happy to collaborate with anyone who would have me!”

ADVERTISEMENT

We also asked Nadia to share a time when a reader’s response really touched her or made her feel good about her work.

“I have the best followers! They are so funny and kind, and the comments section is always full of goofiness and laughter! But sometimes people share suggestions and funny things with me in my DMs, too. And more and more people join in the fun of my CanYouGuess stories about tomorrow’s wordplay! It makes me so happy. Lastly, I have to mention a follower who actually recorded a voice message singing a song that was inspired by one of my puns! It made my day!” wrote Nadia.

Lastly, Nadia added: “I’d like to recommend John Pollack’s book The Pun Also Rises, which delves into the history and cleverness of puns, exploring why they’re more than just a play on words — they’re a testament to human creativity and linguistic skill. It really made me smile!”

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#11

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
Wisteria Bookworm
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Siren is sirening at its loudest siren while sirening at another siren’s call.

#12

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#13

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#14

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#21

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
Wisteria Bookworm
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hip-o is hip-hopping with a hip-o while cheering for another hip-o's hip-hop moves.

#23

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#25

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#26

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#27

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#28

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#29

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#30

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#32

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#33

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#34

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#36

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#37

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#39

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#40

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#41

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#43

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#46

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#47

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#49

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#50

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#51

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#52

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#53

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#55

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#56

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#57

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#58

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#59

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#62

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

#63

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#65

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#66

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#69

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#71

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#73

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#74

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#80

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST
#81

88 Playful Puns And Literal Meanings Of English Words Illustrated By Nadia Tolstoy (New Pics)

surrealians Report

Add photo comments
POST