I just got this notification from this trial Meta is conducting. For art to be seen, fees are required. No more likes because your work is interesting to ppl, it is all just paid access to huge audiences. And these are just starting fees, they go up after a month. 👎😬😭

Made grilled cheese yesterday that cut my mouth up so bad that today's is a microwave-cheese sandwich instead... and I think this may be a superior sandwich. Soft, fluffy, chewy and gooey.

Taddoo from a while ago. A tandem session between @dwam.bsky.social and I. It's a collab flash design as well.

I've now taken to calling the space where my uterus used to be "my void", which feels very Janet from Good Place even though that's not what I was thinking when I came up with it.

I paid for a snack with cash and then the gen Z cashier reaches toward me with a fist bump. I stare in confusion, thinking maybe he's being cute because he knows it's my bday (I got my free bday drink at the same time). Finally, I realize he's trying to hand me my change 💀

What I've been making lately. Sculpture has felt a lot more playful for me these days.

You forget your phone in the house (yet again) and are about to go get it when your partner discovers it in her own pocket. You put it away only to pull it out seconds later and exclaim "oh here's my phone!" as if the last two steps didn't just occur.

Watched Frankenstein and, as everyone said, it was fantastic. I keep thinking about the scene where Victor is having his little existential crisis yet is being objectified by the camera. It's like a nod to all the times women characters in films made by straight men have breakdowns sexily 😆

My laptop is too old to update anymore, and everything I read about *new things* is frightening. I'll use my unsupported Chrome browser, which is the only browser left that I can use, until the bitter end. Maybe I'll just stop using a computer after this.

Montreal, you are lovely!

My partner is really getting into art now that she's tried oil pastels. After struggling through a painting that ended up turning out well, she commented how difficult art is; that a piece will be ugly until suddenly it's not, and somehow you have to keep going. She's an earthquake engineering!

Painting on the fanciest watercolor paper, which I haven't done in about 8 years, and I had all but forgotten the cat pee smell when it gets wet.

My dog got 2 dinners last night because she feigned starvation when I came home and my girlfriend had already gone out. I should have known better, but my mind always jumps to the worst case scenario - like what if she didn't eat anything and a mysterious deadly illness takes her because of it.

I have returned home after a trip to Europe! Happy to be back in civilization (ie I can use my own bidet). Seriously, having a bidet has ruined travelling for me now, how do you function without one?!!

Not me crying on the bus to Ghent because a chatty older man is sharing his lovely coming out story with his seat mate and I'm eavesdropping 🥹

This is your occasional reminder that Rose O'Neill, creator of the Kewpies, first published female cartoonist in the United States, and among the first cartoonists to build a merchandising empire on their work, turned out some absolutely baller, romantic-feeling size-difference monster art.

Apparently it's the sound of a harp that lulls me into calmness. Does anyone know of a harpist+cellist group? I think that would be my dream combo.

Ahh a DM about purchasing my art! Definitely a scam.

If you haven’t watched K-pop Demon Hunters you are truly missing out. It’s so fun and cute and emotional. I’ve watched it twice and I think it’ll be my go-to feel good movie from now on.

I was telling someone recently that there was a cable tv channel that would show completely uncensored plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures in the middle of the afternoon, no content warnings or anything. I loved it as a kid! It seems unthinkable now.

This is a technique I’ve used for years because of this one tweet from @sonnyross.bsky.social. Thank you Sonny for changing my life The book cover was designed by Talia Abramson at Penguin but they let me have a bit of a say over the colours. And I said boy do I have an idea….

Could my sudden need for naps in the last 2 weeks be from creative burnout?! Like I know I’m burnt out, but the napping and extreme low energy are entirely new for me.

Today only: AMMONITE on sale for $1.99, all US ebook platforms. Curious about why it's #25 on Esquire's best SF of all time? Why I was inducted into the SFF Hall of Fame? And named SFWA’s 41st Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master? It all began here...

I accidentally started writing an essay about Western Art vs non-Western Art on my Patreon but this isn't 2010 so I'm too embarrassed to release it 🫠

Took myself to the Museum of Anthropology to do research and, of course, I'm in awe of Indigenous knowledge and craftsmanship. The new exhibitions convey tons of context and it made the experience even more incredible.

I was inspired to do this by @natandrewson.bsky.social 's Gaza Kites fundraiser for PCRF. It's a great cause from a great artist. I adore Natalie's riso work endlessly, and the few times we've met irl they've always been very lovely. Please go support them too if you can!

I've been journalling very sporadically since Jan, but more frequently as of late, and wow has it helped in more ways than I can list. It's like a boardwalk through the miasma swamp of my burnt out brain.

I had a whole idea for a summer artist residency come to me last night in a Benadryl-fueled fugue. The residency will be in my own studio (ha!) but treating my space like it's a temporary residency will help me stay focused (if it's anything like my last residency). I'm starting today!

I was sent a healed photo of this pixiu that I tattooed last month-ish and I'm so happy about it. The forest fire smoke really created the perfect diffused light 🙃

I love this neighbourhood

"Bad news, everybody. We are being sued by Sauron, and somehow there's also another Sauron. They're also working together"

I was chatting with someone and expressing my sadness at watching another artist stop making art; how it really feels like the world is losing something important. I realized I could probably apply this to myself, as someone who is on the verge of stopping.

I added an analog photos portfolio/blog on my website www.dwamdwamdwam.com/analog

My brain is so contrarian. I just turned down a year of shows with a gallery because I hadn't painted for a very long time and could not imagine starting again. A few days later I'm now PAINTING 🙃

Another one for Mermay

My friend did a fun thought experiment asking me to choose animals and basically my ultimate animal form is a worm and everything is represents - no thoughts, just eat (but still contribute positively to the ecosystem) 😄

Aud Torvingen is like no other character in fiction. I guarantee you've never read anything like these books. And they'll finally be available once again in exactly 3 weeks. I can't wait—I CANNOT WAIT!!—for the world to rediscover Aud...

Tiger chimera. Love the unusual placement of this one - when you have short arms but want to go big. The heads sit high enough that they don't distort when the elbow bends.

One shot tattoo from today. Really happy with this one! . #Vancouvertattoo #pnwtattoo #Calgarytattoo #pixiutattoo #illustrativetattoo

I just cheerfully said "Hi Francie!" to a white plastic bag so that's my level of mental acuity today.

Her daily sunbath. Afterwards, she smells like roasted corn.

I have more GoFundMe's to share for the victims of the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy, as collected and written out by my friend J 🧵

Reading about how the last shipments are arriving from China to the US, I did some research about where art materials are manufactured. This is just a partial list. Free to all! www.patreon.com/posts/127662...

Despite the horrors, we are celebrating 2 years of Teddys Tattoo! Here’s my available flash! ✦ Special Guest artist, @jalapenospring.bsky.social will be joining us! [ #yyjtattoo #victoriabctattoo #vancouverislandtattoo #tattoo #japanesewoodblock #darkart #floral #botanical #insect #bug ]

I thought I would feel a sense of relief with the Liberals likely winning, but I'm actually livid at how so many people fucked up strategic voting and ended up with Conservative MP's.

Well at least my former NDP district didn't split their vote and end up with a Conservative MP. Thoughts and Prayers to Nanaimo Ladysmith.

I accident left my phone at home for the afternoon and all I missed about it was being able to message my friends when I was thinking about them! I guess my brain rot isn't so bad.

Bonding with old Asian men at the park over the majesty of the local bald eagles. Waited to hear that they were marvelling at the nest nearby before breaking in with, "did you just see the eagle try to catch that beaver!?!!"

I got a surprise suspected diagnosis last week for a typically very painful condition. And now that I'm paying more attention to my body, it really does seem like I'm in pain all the time 🙃