Now that's a Zine! Patreon Newsletter October 9th (Patreon)

Hey Artnerds!

Lilliputian Living Week 1

The first week of Lilliputian Living is now behind us- and that means seven black-and-white sketch illustrations with seven accompanying little worldbuilding stories!

During October, it can be easy for me to become discouraged.  The challenge part of Lilliputian Living is fivefold:

A new sketch every day, often involving multiple people and environments

Inking that sketch every day and NOT using white correctional fluid to fix mistakes

I can't dedicate the entire day to the illustration- it has to fit around the time I have, no dropping everything

This is such a niche project there isn't much response on social media

I tend to get burnt out and need to find ways to continue the project while honoring my own needs

Addressing these issues and concerns is PART of the challenge.  Not every piece we make will be good as artists- many will fail.  Learning to accept this and move on (or use this piece as inspiration moving forward) is an important part of creating a body of work. Not every piece we make can or should stand alone- comic artists know this well.  As artists, our work can't be, nor should it be, for everyone, it's important to make personal art as well.  Realistically, I personally lean heavily on color work as well as devoting a lot of time to make projects look the way I want. Having to accept mistakes is healthy, and working with a format that I'm weak in inspires growth.

In years past, when my health was a bit better and I had more time to work, I could devote more time and energy to Lilliputian Living, but this isn't a guarantee.  There are years when I'm tabling at an outdoor show late October, in Nashville's cold and wet.  There are years I'm traveling across the US to table at comic cons in early Oct, years I'm attending a friend's wedding as a bridesmaid and need to make sure it goes off without a hitch (or maybe...goes off with getting hitched?), years I'm teaching classes, and years I'm planning a funeral and mourning the death of a family member.  A month-long challenge done repeatedly over seven years is a deep verticle slice into the life of a comic artist, and regardless of how the art turns out, I'm always proud of my efforts by the end of the month.  A single illustration, even a handful of illustrations, might 'fail', but 31 days of black and white illustrations?  Now that's a zine!  And four years of that?  A volume!

The Peculiar Market:

"Prepare to be enchanted by an array of amazing vendors, each offering their unique touch of magic. From handmade jewelry to vintage oddities, bewitching home decor to curiously crafted creations, there's something for every eccentric soul."

https://nolabooksandbaubles.com/event/oddities-expo-23/?fbclid=IwAR2KDZLPQuyrtNOJHDszT6Di7ee3Ktxq43bGlFtvG1GxE6vM0FzRaNIsSM0

📅 Date: October 14, 2023

🕒 Time: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

📍 Location: 1133 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA

🎉 FREE ADMISSION 🎉

I hope all my witchy former anime con kids and fellow cottagecore herb nerds will turn out! 

NOLA Botanical Garden's Fall Garden Show:

We went just for fun, but it's always a joy to visit the New Orleans Botanical Garden, and this biannual show is always a treat.  Although I'm not much of a gardener (I love plants, just can't keep them alive), we always end up buying a few new ones to try to keep green.

I was today years old when I found out that okra (yes, that's okra!) is in the hibiscus family!   Aren't those flowers beautiful?

What I'm Working On:

Maimeri Blu Review

This review is going to be in three parts because I'll be reviewing two Maimeri Blu collaborations!

Super Vision Watercolor review: 

Making a Giant Bead Necklace:

I bet this stack of stuff looks kinda weird, but I have a fun idea for a new tent banner that I'll be working on this week! 

Early Access & Backer Exclusive:

Start to Finish Mushroom Witch: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-to-90434226

Mushroom Witch Printable Lineart: https://www.patreon.com/posts/backer-exclusive-90430544

Was This a Huge Mistake? Painting Louisiana Iris Flowers on White Rubber Boots: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-was-90054661

Surprised and Conflicted- Mijello Mission Gold Half Pan Full Review Including Illustration: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-and-89954432

New to the Public:

Wednesday, October 4th: The Smallest Watercolor Palette?! Showing Off Mini  and Travel Watercolor Palettes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6i30orB-wU

Sunday, October 8th: Sketch, Ink, and Paint a Mushroom Witch! Start to Finish Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDn5LWuNMTk&t=239s