It's been a minute, hasn't it!?

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this blog, and now we’re just days away from 2026. I’m still pen-palling pretty aggressively, and I genuinely love it. I have pen besties all over the world, and being more active in fanzines has added a few new sections to my navigation. The finished zine work has been incredible, and I keep taking on more projects. Mostly so I have a real excuse to draw.

I also completed a portfolio of the work I created during my ten years with Disney, which still doesn’t feel real. I swear I just celebrated five years.

While I’ve definitely faced some hardships, I’m happy to say I’m having an absolute blast creating content. I’ve also really enjoyed my downtime streaming with friends, playing games I’ve always loved and finally experiencing new ones like Silent Hill f, which has been completely worth it. I haven’t played a game with four different endings since Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem. If you know that game, and you know who Mantorok is? Oh, we’re friends forever.

It feels really good to work hard, to be proud of what I’ve accomplished, and feel like I’m actively illustrating again.

Oh, and I finally went to Japan. I loved it so much that I’m dragging my mom there in 2026, which already makes it a better year. I went with one of my besties (I have about five, all equally loved) in October 2024, and it was incredible. A year on Duolingo really helped just enough to communicate slightly above a toddler level! My newfound love of urban exploring made the whole trip unforgettable. I can’t wait to show my mom why I’m so obsessed.

Penpals!?

I recently got super into Penpallery. Penpalship. Penpalifilia, Penpalifinalea, Penpalerific, Penpaling. There are many ways to put it, but I’m writing people all over the world, and it’s really fun. I use the service International Pen Friends, and I have to say, it’s very legit. You give them some money, and they will send you 14 addresses all over the world to write. In addition, they add you to 14 lists, so you’ll get mail from people who aren’t on your list! I have over 20 letters now, and I’m really enjoying it. You can specify your age group too, and It’s been a good mix from 29-45. (I’m 36 in June.) I’ve also been making stationary, and I think I’ll be doing more of that later. (or continue to wipe out Daiso Japan, my main source for cute stationary.) Getting back into Anime has helped me feel like drawing again which is really nice, and penpalism is a great outlet to do something creative without it taking HOURS. I’m looking at you, SEWING. Anyway, here are some doodles from the custom stationary I made to introduce myself to new penpals!

Greek Mythology Zine Work!

ORTHRUS!! I had a lot of fun illustrating this one!

Tangled Zine Merch!

I’m desperately trying to get into other zines in order to have a reason to draw, so I thought I’d post some work that I’ve actually done! Here are my Stickers from the Tangled (The Series) Zine I was in! Moonstone Cassandra, The Besties Reunion, and a classic Shoujo heroine with main cast as chibis design. MAN I love making merch.

Holiday Production!

I’ve been hard at work getting a bunch of things out to the printers this holiday season, that’s for sure. A one of a kind commission for my dad I paid another amazing artist to do, holiday cards for my parents and I, acrylic charms, stickers…whew. The list goes on. It’s been a struggle to get any artwork done that isn’t for money, but I’m hoping to have a better schedule for that soon. Finally getting SOME kind of website up is a good thing, right?
It was really easy for me to let go of the fact that I’ll never have a job where creating art is the center. Of course there was a mourning process, there always is. For me, it was closing a chapter of my life, to start a new one. I have gained experience and knowledge that I have been able to share with younger artists, and that makes me feel amazing. I’ve learned a lot, and there are still so many ways I can have a creative outlet, even if it’s just as a hobby or pastime. My sister-in-law and I have been doing a ton of crafting, (You can check that out on my Instagram) and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it, even if I’m not creating stuff for me. It’s just nice to have an idea and execute it.