#woman of color

My 27th #Inktober #drawing. “Thunder” was the prompt.

#Storm!
I wanted to #redesign her #costume and #decolonize her look. Inspired by #MichaelaCoel.

#XMen #Ororo #OroroMunroe #Marvel #MarvelComics #costumedesign #characterdesign #naturalhair #afro #woc #blackwomen #MCU #mutant #superhero #comicbook #comics #goddessofthunder #art #artist #inkdrawing #illustration #costumesketch #JakeParker #MarvelStudios #Inktober2018 

‘Rising Sun’ + ‘Daytime Moon’.  Microsoft Paint

I wanted to do a sun-themed companion piece to an older drawing, and I really liked the way they looked side-by-side. :)

‘Blow.’  Microsoft Paint.

A repost from a few years ago!  I still really like the overall color and design of this piece in particular. 

My husband and I are in the process of moving (which is both exciting and a little daunting!), so there hasn’t been a lot of time to make personal art on the side, lol.  Maybe I’ll be able to make something fun soon.

Head in the Clouds.  Microsoft Paint.

A cooldown drawing drawn between classes. <3 

A New Chapter.  Microsoft Paint.

It’s been a handful of months since I last posted!  Life has been full of a wide variety of changes that have kept me from drawing (or at least posting drawings).

One significant change is that I’ve gotten married. :) 

I’m still reeling at the wonder of being the wife to someone so kind and wonderful, and I’m still getting used to describing myself as someone’s wife.  In the meantime, here’s a drawing to celebrate this transition.

Beauty Within.  Microsoft Paint.

I wanted to draw a celebratory piece before Black History Month came to a close!

I’m reminded that when I was a little girl, I had several qualms about my blackness.  I resented my wooly hair and broad nose; it seemed that people who were a lighter shade were almost always more beautiful.  Over time, though, I came to realize that I was beautifully and wonderfully made - carefully crafted and melanated by God Himself.  He intentionally weaved the kinks and coils of my hair and the breadth of my lips.  The history and culture that preceded me was a valuable one that I did not need to resent.  I came to understand that all shades and hues are equally wonderful, and mine was no exception.

I hope and pray that any other little boy or girl who feels inadequate because of their skin comes to realize just how beautiful they are, and just how loved they are by the One who made them.  

A Ring on It.

A very quick and rough comic based on something that happened a few days ago.  Not an MS Paint drawing for once!  I actually doodled this on my phone and added text via Pixlr.

I am very, very happily engaged (no number of words can express how much I love my fiancé!), and I love the ring that my fiancé got me.  However, I somehow forget that I’m wearing a ring whenever I try to slip on a glove.  I realize that this might seem like a subtle brag, but in reality it is a testament to my obliviousness.  
Also, I don’t have dreads!  My hair has just been twisted and styled.  

Also, I wanted to thank everyone for liking and sharing my bust commission sheet.  I truly appreciate all of you so much.  Commissions are still open, but I just wanted to express my gratitude in the meanwhile.

Hi, friends!  I’ve had the urge to open commissions for a while, so I’ve decided to announce a commission sale of sorts!

As a Black artist, I strive to make colorful, vibrant artworks that uplift women of color and celebrate diversity.  Additionally, one ‘quirk’ of mine is that I love to make art with Microsoft Paint, which is what all of the portraits above were made with.  It would be my pleasure to draw your characters!

I am offering bust commissions with a starting price of $15 for simple portraits and $25 for portraits with complex backgrounds.  For either selection, I can incorporate a simple blinking looping animation for an additional $10.  At your request, I can leave a portrait in flat colors for a discount of $5.

For any questions or inquiries, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message via Tumblr!

And if you’re at all interested in having any of my existing art as merch, I have shops on RedbubbleandTeespring.  

Thanks for checking this out!  

Risqué. Microsoft Paint.

My first post of the New Year!  In less this two weeks, this year has already proven to be textbook worthy.  I hope and pray that you all are managing your mental health in the midst of these times.

This drawing is actually a cropped version of a photostudy that my fiance suggested I draw.  The reason why it’s cropped is because the full version is quite the departure from my usual work - not so inappropriate that it would be flagged in most places, but risqué enough that it would stand out awkwardly on this page (which several of my family members have access to).  Still, I was proud of the study, and I at least wanted to show a fragment of it.

Please continue to be safe, and God bless.

Little Space Ranger.  Microsoft Paint.

A digital drawing that I started a few weeks ago, but only finished recently!

I’ve been in love with the stars since I was a child, and though I never went on to study them, they still fascinate me.

Rise Above the Clouds.  Krita.

Another sketch in Krita!  Slowly, I’m growing more familiarized with the interface.  Something that might be apparent is that my goal isn’t necessarily a clean, neat product; in addition to the fact that it’s a bit of experimentation, I realize that I kind of like the way traditional linework looks over imprecise digital coloring.

Another fun thing that I’ve realized is that this workflow is faster than my usual MS Paint style, though I will never abandon the latter.

TL;DR:  I’m learning, and this is so much fun!

A Star in a Dark Place.  Krita.

Something very, verydifferent.

For the first time in almost ever, I started with a traditional piece of line art and moved it over to a digital program (in this case, Krita).  

The reason why it took so long took for this first is a tad bit complicated.  On one hand, I just love Microsoft Paint, even if it is not necessarily not the most efficient program to work with, haha!  The other reason is that at some point, the laptop I primarily drew with (and used throughout college) stuttered horribly whenever I opened anything more complicated than MS Paint, so I held it off.  Fortunately, my sweet boyfriend gave me his laptop, and it handles Krita like a dream, so I have no more excuses.

I still have so much to learn, and I will be looking to refine my workflow.  (I haven’t abandoned Microsoft Paint, for anyone wondering! - it just feels good to branch out, especially while I have no classes to occupy my attention.)

Also, if you’ve ever wondered what I listen to while I draw, I really like PogoandWillow, lol.  

Retro-grade.  Microsoft Paint.

I asked my boyfriend to give me ideas for the background and hairstyle for this one.  He is very proud of himself.

I’m alive!  I hope and pray that everyone who sees this is doing well.  My first semester in graduate school has fortunately come to a close, and I’ve been able to enjoy this most recent time with those I love dearly.  It cannot be overstated how grateful I am to be able to be safe and sound (as well as to have those classes finally, finally behind me).

As always, please continue to keep yourselves safe.  Social distancing saves lives.  Wherever you are, please be sure to nurture your mental health and wellbeing, even in the small ways.  Reach out to loved ones if you can.  

Better Together.  Microsoft Paint.

An idea I’ve been wanting to draw out for a little while now.  

In the midst of of pain and injustice, things work altogether better when we work together. <3 

(What would their names be?)

Rose Garden.  Microsoft Paint.

(Those are actually peonies.)

A project that was fun and involved a lot of learning!  There were several different colors across her face, but I realized that simpler shading suited the face best.

Hope you all are doing well!

Brown Beauty.  Microsoft Paint.

Not one of my favorites!  As you can tell, I could not decide what direction I wanted to go in.  Nevertheless, this was great fun to draw, and good practice.

Praying that you all are staying safe in the midst of these stressful times.  Please stay healthy and mindful of the well-being of others.

Please let me know if you have a favorite out of the three!  

Daytime Moon.  Microsoft Paint.

A drawing that I wrestled with on account of some conflicting color schemes.  It was a fun way to cool down from the mild confusion of online classes.  I seem to be preferring blues as of late.