Chris Thornley’s Finding Dory Poster Is Gorgeous

It’s been years since a small clown fish by the name of Nemo somewhat unexpectedly captured the hearts of adults, teenagers, and children alike worldwide, but now finally we have a sequel. And with a narrative deeply involved with the humanity of personal struggle and pursuing something against all odds, Disney·Pixar have done it again with Finding Dory. So to better understand and articulate those complex themes ahead of its UK release, we asked renowned illustrator Chris Thornley to create an image and tell us a story inspired by Finding Dory.

I was a child of the city. The diesel air filled my lungs throughout my teenage years into adulthood, but my heart always belonged to the countryside. This wasn’t a soap box tirade, I never told anyone until years later when I met the woman I love. We joked of escaping to the country, running away together. That joke soon became our dream. But, as they do in life, even the simple things became complicated. I started my own design company and we were joined by our two beautiful children.

In the blink of an eye, a decade had passed and I worked and worked and worked. Twelve hours a day, seven days a week, with a two-hour commute. One thing kept me going: that dream cottage in the countryside. The vision of my partner and me, relaxing on the porch, going grey and growing old together. One night, I came home thoroughly exhausted. She looked at me, slouched over in a chair and said, ‘What are we waiting for?’ And I knew what she meant. A thousand excuses flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t stop asking myself ‘is this really where I want to be?’ There was only one answer.

Within a breath, we were looking at properties on the Scottish Moors. Of course, everybody told us we were crazy! My brother often took me to one side and shook me, expecting I’d snap out of it. But despite the family, friends, and bank manager telling us we were doomed, we never wavered. It was happening. Now, every evening when I’m sat in the kitchen, gazing out of the cottage window at the kids playing in the fields, I thank my lucky stars. We have the life we always wanted, where we can grow grey and old together: we finally found home.

Sometimes without knowing, you are reminded of the importance of family, and everyone’s need to feel at home. Check out Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory and follow Dory on her journey of self-discovery. In Cinemas Friday.