The use of whimsey has a rich tradition in modern art, literature and popular culture. Writers and artists have often humanized and anthropomorphized inanimate objects and nature. Whimsy and nature have often been combined playfully and satirically; from the vivid poetry of William Blake to to the fantasy of Jonathan Swift, from Puss 'n Boots to Lewis Carroll, from the cover art of the Saturday Evening Post to the Far Side cartoonery of Gary Larson. Artist Steve Hall has always believed that whimsey enlivens both the subject of a work and its patron. In his work Steve seeks to reveal endearing aspects of a shared personality (the universal intelligence he calls it) which he believes is present in all living things. The warm response his work often provokes is a testimony to the success of his vision.

"It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. Again the animals seemed to remember that a resolution against this had been passed in the early days, and again Squealer was able to convince them that this was not the case. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that the pigs, who were the brains of the farm, should have a quiet place to work in. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. Nevertheless, some of the animals were disturbed when they heard that the pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing-room as a recreation room, but also slept in the beds. "

- George Orwell, London, 1946