1,000 Fears a Week: How Fran Krause Turns Your Deepest Anxieties into Art

What if a snake crawls out of the toilet while you're sitting there? Or what if your soul leaves your body while you sleep and forgets the way back? These are the irrational, creepy, and sometimes hilarious thoughts that animator Fran Krause brings to life. Based in California, the CalArts educator has built a massive following by illustrating the 'Deep Dark Fears' submitted by strangers on the internet.

From Stranger Submissions to NYT Bestsellers

The project, titled Deep Dark Fears, started as a personal exploration but quickly evolved into a viral sensation. Krause receives anywhere from 100 to 500 fear submissions weekly. When a major website features his work, that number can skyrocket to 1,000 messages. He sifts through these human anxieties, looking for the perfect blend of text and imagery to sketch in his watercolor kit.

The impact has been significant. In 2015, his first book became a New York Times bestseller, followed by a second volume in 2017. Krause's work resonates because it touches on the raw, unspoken parts of the human psyche that most art tends to overlook.

The Solidarity of Shared Anxieties

Krause noticed a recurring theme: everyone has fears, no matter how 'normal' they appear. Some worry about goblins in the attic, while others fear assassins are poisoning their food. "It's almost impossible to be alone in your fear," Krause explains. By illustrating these strange thoughts, he proves that millions of others share the same bizarre worries.