2023 was an odd year for me. It had a lot of high moments, a lot of firsts. But it was also a very tough year for me and the start of a huge transitional point in my life. I feel a lot of the energy and ambition I had from 2022 ended up mellowing out, and while this isn't to say I hate my art from this year I certainly feel it with how the 'edge' I had died down in favor for lighter tones & more light-hearted things.
I did continue comics, and started breaking into tabling and the 'career' part of my art despite it all. I think that's what matters, that I can keep my head afloat.
In the year 31XX, you may encounter a mech battle on your way to work, might be a way around it though…
The original idea was actually "How to drive in Massachusetts" (based on the nightmare that is driving in Massachusetts), until me and my roomates started joking how I can make it even more goofy. So, giant robots got involved.
Contribution to GOOD EATS - an OC zine.
In which Jade and Iri salvage a pot of rice with too much water added and make it into a proper bowl of rice porridge.
A few fun facts about this one; this is based off something that happened in my dorm senior year of college, where our rice cooker started smoking & we had to salvage the pot somehow. Though the irl version was a lot less planned out & had way less than what Jade & Iri had on hand. The version Jade came up with is based on Khmer-style borbor!
Concept for a fandom-inspired story; Xander, a dedicated arcade gets wrapped in a battle that decides the fate of the local arcade. He wins, the place stays. He looses, the place gets bought out.
If this were a longer series, I'd imagine it'd stay between 5 issues long and Xander throughout it would have a character arc about getting more humble / less standoffish in the hobby. Where in his first appearence he would be cocky, elitist, probably that guy that hogs a cab when there's a que & by the end he realises he shouldn't be defending the arcade for himself, but for others as well.
If you're out of the loop, modifying public cabs is a very controversial topic in the rhythm game community.
Baby powder is one of the most controversial, as it not only risks damaging hardware if the pads are loose, but the lack of friction could cause tripping hazards for players stepping on w/o expecting it.
Concept for a theoretical 'reboot' done for one of my illustration classes. The story we were rebooting was about a group of teen paranormal investigators, and my idea was having the reboot be a sequel following them getting together as adults once again for another mystery.
Character concept art
2023, Comic
Five nights, one week, one slushie machine
A few shorts about the experience of going to the convenience store at night.
Ongoing, Comic
After Jade and Iri's computer breaks, the two of them rush to the store to find a new one. The one they roll with? It feels off...
Available to read on ComicFury and Tapas!