1983

The original canvas painting produced from my dreams in 1983. This painting still hangs in my studio today.

Based On a True Story

In 1983, I was a twenty-year-old student fighting to finish my arts degree. Working full time and having a full schedule of classes was extremely stressful. Hardly enough money to eat, it was hard to stay focused. Most of my original college friends had already moved on, and the stress of wondering if I could actually make it weighed heavily. I loved commercial art, but the question of whether I’d get to the finish line kept me up at night.

Then came the dreams.

For several nights in a row, I found myself back in time, a young boy riding a train to my grandparents’ house. The train would grind to a halt in the middle of nowhere. I’d taken a shortcut through the woods, only to be chased by terrifying creatures.

Running for my life, I’d stumble, fall, and injure my leg. Just as the creatures closed in, I would jolt awake, drenched in sweat.

But on the fourth night, something changed. The dream didn’t end with fear. The creatures didn’t attack. Instead, they knelt beside me, wrapped my leg, and guided me safely to the forest’s edge.

2026

Modernized version created for the BIYOTES book.

About the Author/Illustrator

Troy Turner has been a Kenmore/Bothell local since 1985, which means he’s seen a lot. Including the inside of his own brand studio for the past 35+ years. As the founder of V2Works, an agency he started with his wife Kathleen, he spent decades building brands, meeting deadlines, and pretending he wasn’t secretly thinking about drawing weird creatures instead.

On April 1st, 2026 (yes… April Fools’ Day), Troy officially “retired” from the design world, at the exact same time as Kathleen. Suspicious timing? Maybe. Coordinated escape plan? Highly likely. Together, they’ve traded client briefs for trail maps and have taken up mountain biking, often accompanied by their trusted dog, Melman.

But instead of golfing or napping, Troy is diving headfirst into art, storytelling, and the slightly strange universe that’s been living in his head since 1983. That’s when a series of vivid dreams introduced him to what would eventually become BIYOTES. Most people would forget those dreams. Troy spent the next few decades thinking, “I should probably do something about that.”

Over 800 hours of writing and illustrating later, Biyotes is now a reality. The first 500 copies are signed and numbered, partly because that’s special, and partly because Troy still has a deep appreciation for limited editions after a lifetime in design.

BOOK COVER

Contact Me!

Email me at Troy@V2Works.com if you want copies, have them in your book store… or if you just want to chat :)

Text and illustrations copyright © 2026 by V2Works. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher/author. Biyotes and related characters are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of V2Works. Published by V2Works. Printed and bound in United States of America.