Stephan Brusche quit his job to pursue a career in “fruit-doodling”.

Stephan Brusche’s game is fairly simple: he turns bananas into works of art.

While others would likely toss banana peels away, the Dutch former graphic designer sees them as a blank canvas for “fruit doodles” – intricately detailed drawings done with toothpicks, a knife and ballpoint pen.

Brusche began his foray into banana art six years ago, almost by accident. Encouraged to use Instagram by his wife but unsure what to post, he came across an abandoned banana in his office and decided to draw a smiley face on it.

While others would likely toss banana peels away, the Dutch former graphic designer sees them as a blank canvas for “fruit doodles” – intricately detailed drawings done with toothpicks, a knife and ballpoint pen.

He draws figures from popular culture (hello, Banana Marilyn), animals and quirky cartoon characters – even the more pared-back designs are injected with a sense of heart and humour, because, after all, they’re bananas.