The Sweet and the Strange

Introduction

Almost every artistic medium—film, music, art, writing, you name it—has been transformed by the surreal brilliance of David Lynch. At Brain Candy Magazine, we want to honor that influence and give back to the legacy he’s built. Whether you’re a fan of Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive, or even Dune, we want to see how his work has inspired you.

This issue is open to any medium, ranging from art, writing, and video. If Lynch’s work has ever made you say, “What did I just watch?” or “That broke my brain, but I love it,” then this issue is for you.

The Challenge

Now, why is this issue called “The Sweet and the Strange”?

Because in nearly every one of Lynch’s works, we see a battle between light and dark. His stories are full of characters who carry goodness inside them, even when everything around them feels twisted and cruel. Think of Laura Palmer, whose memory reshapes an entire town; Paul Atreides, torn between destiny and grief; and Dorothy Vallens, trapped between desire and fear.

For this issue, we want you to explore that same tension. Your challenge is to find the sweetness inside the strange and the strangeness inside the sweet.

What We’re Looking For

We love submissions that are:

• Deeply personal or unapologetically weird.
• Honest, vulnerable, or playful in how they explore duality.
• Inspired by the atmosphere, characters, or philosophies of Lynch’s work.

Accepted mediums: Art, photography, essays and short fiction (under 2,000 words), poetry, comics, collage, digital design, or any experimental hybrid.

Technical details:

• Please send your work as a high-quality image or document file (JPEG, PNG, PDF, or DOCX).
• Include a short bio (1-3 sentences) and any relevant social media or portfolio links.

Example Submission

(Just so you know what a good submission looks like, here’s a pretend one from our favorite Twin Peaks resident.)

Name: Dale Cooper

Submission Title: A Damn Fine Cup

Medium: Short essay (700 words)

Submission Description: A short reflection on how small pleasures, like a perfect cup of coffee, can anchor a person when the world feels too strange to understand. The piece uses the Black Lodge as a metaphor for self-reflection and moral duality.

Bio: Dale Cooper is a Special Agent with the FBI who enjoys strong coffee, cherry pie, and recording thoughts for Diane. When not investigating, he can be found playing chess or reading.

For our artists, this is a great guide on how to write an artist statement:

Want to Go Deeper?

If you want to read more about Lynch, here are a few starting points. Think of these as little portals into Lynch’s mind. These are great reads whether you’re a longtime devotee or just stepping into the red-curtained world for the first time. They might even help spark ideas for your submission.

• Michel Chion. David Lynch. London, Bfi, 2006.
• David Hughes. The Complete Lynch. Random House, 30 Apr. 2014.
• Richard A. Barney. David Lynch : Interviews. Jackson, University Press Of Mississippi, 2009.
• Tom Huddleston. David Lynch. Frances Lincoln, 9 Sept. 2025.
• David Lynch. Catching the Big Fish : Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity. New York, Jeremytarcher/Penguin, 2007.

Conclusion

We’re here for the yappers, the ramblers, the freaks, and the dreamers. Whether you’re painting nightmares or writing love letters to the uncanny, "The Sweet and the Strange" is your invitation to explore the edges of good and evil, and maybe find something beautiful there.