#the blk rabbit

“Chocobito” Digital, 2019

With FFVII-R coming up next year I wanted to do something for the anniversary of the US release of FFVII, so Chocobo is obviously the first thing that came to mind.

For anyone interested, I’ll have holographic stickers of this for sale this week to celebrate the anniversary

“Ex-Soldier” Sketchbook & Digital, 2019

Cloud Strife is probably the first character that showed me that a protagonist could be multi-dimensional. It changed my way of thinking about how a story could be told and spoke to the idea that there could be shades of grey within a character struggling to be a hero. He wasn’t the first to ever do this by far, but it was pivotal for me in that it was the first time I had ever come across it.

This piece is obviously in anticipation for the FFVII-Remake release coming in March, but this was a special piece for me because it’s one of my top three favorite characters of all time and I’m glad I had the excuse to do this one. From humble beginnings to one of the most recognized figures in the Final Fantasy compendium, if not video games as a whole. I’m still beyond stoked to see what the first installment has to offer up!

“Wooloo” Digital, 2019

New Pokemon reveals never fail to ignite the artistic community and I entirely understand why. The last time I was this hyped for a Pokemon was with Rowlett, so not unlike practically every other artist I follow, I had to do a Wooloo piece.

Despite my unending love for everything FFVII, I’m also really stoked for Sword and Shield. I’ve staved off hopping into Lets Go Pikachu/Eevee because I knew this was on the horizon and I can’t handle two of those games going at once. Anyways, feel free to share and/or love this fluffy cloud sheep pokemon (see, still sneaking in that FFVII biz)

“Beat Rush” Sketchbook & Digital, 2019

With the details of the announcement just hours away, it’s hard not to feel the absolute hype surrounding the FFVII Remake. The game, without a doubt, is one of the most pivotal pieces of gaming history as well as a cornerstone for SO many fans, and rightfully so. There aren’t enough hours in the day that I can fill with how much I could go on about this game and what it meant/means to me.
Anyways, out of all of the trailers thus far, I’ve yet to see the foremost martial arts master of VII’s universe: Tifa Lockhart. While everyone was going off on monsters with swords, guns, and shurikens, Tifa was going ham with only her fists. Since I hope her original design doesn’t change the way the development team handles her in the remake, I decided to switch up a little of her design to something that I feel fits better with her character (check those boxer shorts). She’s the glue that holds the FFVII team together as well as the first piece I offer up in anticipation of the hype tonight at E3

Oh, and you can already count on there being more FFVII stuff coming out of me this year ;)

“Skull Kid II” Sketchbook & Digital, 2019

Skull Kid was actually the first character from the Zelda mythos that I was ever commissioned to draw; it’s kind of wild seeing the difference now almost 5 years later.

With Majora’s Mask turning 19 today, it’s hard to believe how long ago these pivotal pieces were released. I can’t think of many Zelda fans who don’t associate the series with installments like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and Twilight Princess.

Anyways, hope y'all enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts or nostalgia :)

[ The Black Rabbit 4th Year Anniversary ]

“Almiraj / The Black Rabbit V” Sketchbook & Digital / Pencil & Exterior House Paint, 2019

Almiraj is ode to spring, new growth, and color emerging from the remnants of the mean seasons. The titling comes from the horned rabbits of sea serpent island in Zakariya al-Qazwini’s The Wonders of Creation.

It’s a little earlier than intended, but I’m excited to close out my fourth year as The Black Rabbit with this piece ushering in year five and all that it has to offer on the horizon. Feel free to go see the mural for yourself if you’re in the Atlanta area off Carroll Street :)

“I fell in love with the sound of my heels on the wooden floor; I don’t want my footsteps to be silent anymore”

“Lazy in Space” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

Not unlike how Puppycat resonates in this piece, 2018 has felt exhausting. I can’t help but feel like it’s been the longest year I’ve had in a very long time; so I thought it would be fitting then to end the year on my last piece being one of anticipation for what’s to come in 2019 (I’m stoked about Bee & Puppycat: Lazy in Space!)

A new year is always full of the promises that could lie in wait around the corner, the potential of change that we measure some aspect of our lives against. This incoming year, I want to start working not towards the “new me”, but rather an iteration derived of the culminations of this year to see how they manifest in the next rather than these “start” & “quit” points. To widen and lengthen my scope of me; a more liquid self, that adapts to the changes in the landscape of life rather than takes the brunt of the hits and tries to buff them out at the end of every year.

Happy New Years

“Salty the Snowman” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

Frosty’s lesser known cousin, Salty, ready to rain on your parade. A little “bah-humbug” for the holidays in a revisitation of Frosty’s kin.

Here’s to wishing you a Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Holidays to you wherever you are! Know you’re being thought fondly of, if it’s even just by this one person/snowman

“Calaca” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

“Calaca” pays tribute to the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, which would eventually inspire parts of the cultural amalgamation we know and celebrate as Halloween.

My rendition of the calaca borrows from the reverence of the dead celebrated in Mexico as well as an iteration of Death from the Guatemalan interpretation. I also mixed in elements of the cowboy aesthetic to pay homage to Mexicans laying the foundation to what would later become known as the North American cowboy (also because Death always feels synonymous with that aesthetic).

Feel free to like or reblog, and Happy Halloween / Day of the Dead !!!

“Bone Daddy” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

It never quite feels like Halloween without the Pumpkin King himself (although I’m very partial to his scarecrow costume due to my love of all things pumpkin).

It’s been a while since playing around with this style, but I always forget how much I enjoy how it looks; it’s a fun medley I’ll have to play with some more. Anyways, just a little something extra for the month. Feel free to drop a like, comment, and / or reblog :)

“Lacuna / The Black Rabbit IV” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

Breaks and pauses to reorient the pieces with yourself aren’t stagnation if you remember to keep moving forward after the rest. There is always a special place in me for new beginnings that keep room still to celebrate the old, and with each new iteration I like to believe something has been made better. More understanding, better introspection, and the capacity to help others accept change as well.

This, for me, is a return to the nostalgic spots that the Summer is no stranger to breathing life into. Movement in poise, a balance of both motion and static, here’s to the Summer nights and the comforts of Fall to follow. I love you all, and thank you for continuing to indulge these images of mine <3

“Takkun” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

“The advance is hip right now but the original has a place in my heart”

In lieu of Progressive’s finale premiering this evening, I figured I’d finish the trifecta and do another homage to FLCL Classic with the boy who kicked it all off: Naota.

It’s been an interesting shift change with Progressive’s tonal and narrative changes from the original, but there’s something about the original that will always resonate with me. So here’s that throwback to nostalgia and a brief glimpse at what 90s character design gave us as a burgeoning cult fave

“Hibajiri” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

Another quick sketch for the new series. While I’m interested to see where Progressive ends, the original and Alternative still hold my heart. I like some of the animation and designs, but there’s a little of the ‘spirit’ that’s lacking for me in Progressive at current. I told myself I’d wait until episode 4 to pass judgement, so here’s to tonight’s ep really stepping up to the plate ;)

As a side, I found Hidomi’s headphones more problematic to render than I’d like to admit. Also, I love that Hidomi and Kana have roots in the characters Ninamori and Mamimi, respectively. I think it was a fun touch in revisiting the series :)

“Kana-bun” Sketchbook & Digital, 2018

There’s no love lost in the rush of familiarity and nostalgia, for me, with the release of both FLCL Alternative and Progressive’s first episodes. That being said, Alternative really stuck out to me with it’s first episode so I decided to pay tribute to one of its protagonists: Kana.

I feel the titling of the new seasons feels quite apt and have been handled beautifully as well as artistically in their own ways. Alternative’s pacing does feel like an alt-music version of the original season of FLCL which is a feat unto itself. I can’t speak highly enough of it. I can’t wait for more and encourage you all to experience it for yourselves :)

“Lvcy” 2022

A little something for an early celebration of The Black Rabbit’s anniversary this year. Super soft, breathable cotton, unisex fit, and none of that heavy plaster that feels weird to the touch. Shoutout to Jason for helping me out with this :)

“Rise with the morning star and illuminate your world”

https://theblackrabbit.bigcartel.com/

“Kilo ii” Sketchbook & Digital, 2020

I guess for a quicker than usual turnaround for me lately, this was a cathartic piece I did celebrating breaking 1k followers on Instagram. I know it’s not a massive milestone (especially for many) but it was big for me having some mixture of that many people see my art and think, “This is cool, I’m gonna give this art a follow”.

Anyways, hope y'all are staying well in these frustratingly uncertain times, and ignore that pressure to be “productive”; focus on what makes you happy right now and explore it. The world will be as on fire and chaotic as you left it

“Galian Beast” Sketchbook & Digital, 2019

A little something for the 13th of Oct, the full moon tonight, and the hype for the FFVII Remake just a few months away.

Seeing as it’s Vincent’s birthday today I figured this was more than fitting leading up to the release, even though he won’t be in this upcoming portion of the game.

I’ll likely have a few pieces go up for the month seeing as October is always a fave and while my process doesn’t lend itself well to inktober, I do like to do a lot of pieces for the month in celebration. Maybe one year…anyways: always the cool, silent pseudo-vampire of FFVII - Vincent Valentine.