Samantha Under the Mistletoe

Based on a beloved character I created by accident in an art school homework assignment back in 2014. Her name is Samantha, reverse mermaid (half human, half striped bass), famed one-of-a-kind actress, holiday enthusiast.

The original assignment (see here) was to create an illustration of an archeological dig site where the skeleton of a magical/mythical creature was just uncovered. My teacher asked if THAT is how she was dug up and I said yes. This display was per her final wishes. Over the years I’ve noticed that no one (artsy people and non) seems to require any explanation for Samantha, the sexy skeletal reverse mermaid pinup. They just get it I guess, and I’ve always thought that was funny.

Finished Ink Emperor

At long last, the finish of the inktober piece I’d done previously. Although there are a lot of things I like about the simpler version, I was interested in trying it out with much more dramatic lighting and greater realism overall. It’s possible that I might come back to this one to add color so it looks more like a classic painting, but for now, I’m eager to move on to the next thing.

I don’t normally make my sketches this polished, but it made sense to plan out the lighting as well as possible, and it felt a little odd posting it to social media without the rest being just as finished.

The Emperor

I tend to only do works fully on paper when they’re the sort of smaller portraits that I did for 2018’s Inktober. Although it doesn’t usually produce anything worthy of the front page of my website, it’s a fun exercise and can sometimes result in something redoing more elaborately later on- like this one! I’m currently experimenting with angles and more dramatic lighting. More to come on that one!

Captain Marvel

I’m not hugely into the Marvel universe, I’ve only seen a few of the related movies. But I DID see Captain Marvel and although I’d probably say the movie was just okay overall, I had a pretty good dang time and Brie Larson is incredible.

Valentine's Day Cards 2019

I’ve been working on little valentines with a slightly threatening energy to them this year (while carefully avoiding anything that could be associated with domestic violence/abuse/etc). I’m not sure how many good ideas I’ll be able to come up with this particular theme, but I’ve got at least a few more bouncing around in my head. And, I suppose when it comes to Valentines day, terrible puns are more or less expected if I have a few dumb ideas too.

Morrigan

A quick little thing featuring Morrigan from the Dragon Age series. Unlike many of my ink pieces, this one makes minimal use of digital editing/compositing.

Iudex Gundyr

The first boss of Dark Souls 3- and absolutely perfect for ink wash. Although this particular game isn't my favorite of the series, it had it's fair share of beautifully designed characters. 

The Good Death

I don't love thinking about my own mortality. But I do think it's important to face that reality every once and awhile to at least put thought toward the aspects of death I do have control over- like what would be done with my body. 

This one was originally for a show awhile back, and is more or less representative of my discomfort surrounding traditional burials, and how it feels like they tie people, or what we remember about them to their plot in the ground. 

I don't have any particular belief about what happens after death, but I prefer the idea that whatever we are or what's left of us goes somewhere else, becomes something else.

The Coral Crown

The sketch and final versions of a piece inspired by Florence and the Machine as well as the myth of the Oracle of Delphi- with a deep sea twist.