2025 art year in review ↫
Howdy! Wow, it feels like it was just last week that I was writing this for 2024--where did the time go??
This year has been a series of huge changes for me and my day to day and I think that my absence online (and resulting presence in my offline life) speaks to that. I quit my job, started two degrees, moved internationally...and when I say it like that, okay, yeah, I should have some grace for myself for my lack of "polished," "finished" work.
Truly this was a year of digital comfort drawings and traditional discomfort drawings (outside my coveted comfort zone). Lots of sketchbook work and margin doodles this year! I got myself two new sketchbooks and have been making a habit of pulling them out instead of getting on my phone while I have a few minutes of downtime--waiting at restaurants, riding the train, sitting to take in the scenery, etc.
a drawing i freehanded in pen (SCARY!) in my sketchbook on the plane ride home
I think for art goals this year, I want to get back to prioritizing art and creativity in my life. Not so much that it becomes a burden, a stressor, or a bludgeoning object against myself, but I am learning that I am much happier and balanced when I make time to create and play. Managing stress is a big and vitally important goal for my mental and physical health so I want to tie art into that as much as I can. What I am enjoying physical media is the forced "welp, I have to be okay with that" sentiment that stems from working with permanent mediums. I am combating my own perfectionism and The Need To: Succeed, Outdo, Continuously Improve, et al. Most importantly, I am being kinder to myself and my mistakes.
I told a friend recently that I "feel awake again" and I hope that extends to feeling alive. I am going to make it through this year if it kills me.
Continuing the trend of explaining myself from last year, going roughly left -> right, top -> bottom...
Eskchange painting that I really like the light in. My DND character's mom. A little kelpie creature named Lure. A newish face around The Library named Xaire. A postcard from my DND character's home. My DND character. (Our campaign has really kicked off!! I painted my first mini!!! (not pictured) I love her so much!) Ximone's mom's axe (a GW2 character).
One of my fave pieces from this year, painted from a memory. I love the grime and the atmosphere. A drawing I did tod--yesterday, at a coffee shop, of my friend. Another weapon of Ximone's mom's. Artfight incoming!! Paintings of characters from artists I really admire. I did those with acrylic paint pens and I literally love them so much. A sketchbook drawing of The Archivist using a new pen (once again, freehanded. I know that's not that impressive but to me and my habits it is a HUGE deal.)
The first drawing I did of my DND character--this one lives in the leather campaign journal I made. Background painting was for an art trade with a one-week turnaround time. Pixels I did of my pokemon OC, Nine. corru.observer OCs, LOL. God corru is so SO good. Fanart of my friend's DND character--truly thank you art to her for participating in my (soon to be published!) research, haha. And finally, the long awaited, the one and only, Ximone's mom.
Happy new year! Though seas between us braid hae roar'd, there's a hand, my trusty fiere, gie's a hand o' thine~ 手牵手 <3
