I tried SO MANY THINGS IN 2025. Here are some expanded thoughts on my creative lessons of the year:
1: Leaning into what comes natural to me like quirky characters from my nightmares & chaotic textures.
2: Starting with strong design intention and using lighting as a compositional tool.
4: Restraint in color & perspective led to stronger compositions.
5: Approaching figures with my own lighting & shape language opened new doors.
6: Spending less time on a piece can result in shorthand for complex textures which improved readability & scale in my landscapes.
7: Studying a variety of light and weather conditions showed me where I've gained the most control (heavy atmosphere!)
8: Visualizing sensory memories became a core goal. Creating the feeling of a warm sunny day for example.
9: I pushed myself with more complicated poses & explored ways to design sensuality and appeal.
10: Unfamiliar color prompts pulled me out of creative ruts.
11: Comics reignited a long dormant storytelling obsession.
12: Devoting time to black & white reshaped my entire design process. I stopped avoiding detailed line work and more adult themes.
13: Building scenes that feel alive beyond the frame is no longer intimidating.
14: Stark textures & soft global light with pops of color can blur the line between genres.
15: Biggest lesson - trusting my own intuition in lighting, even without a plan. ✨
If you've made it to the end of this post you've made my day. Thanks for all the support and lovely comments over the last year. I read every single one. 🥰 Happy 2026! ✨
Different day, different season, different light, different feeling...same place. 🎨
I was inspired by my students to take a painting I finished last year and relight it. It's always a fun challenge to see how far I can push the mood of a place, especially when it comes from a personal place. I always try to amplify those sensory memories with simple design choices.
I'm running a new color and light course starting in January. Link in bio for more info ✨
#NYC made with @procreate
I’m really excited to share that I’ll be debuting my first-ever printed zine at my next convention! ☺️
@heroesonline ✨
This is a small collection of short comics I’ve been working on, and it means a lot to finally hold it in my hands and bring it to a show, especially since it’s also my first time tabling there.
If you’re attending, come by, take a look, and say hi. I’d love to share it with you 💫
Color and light for story > aesthetics ✨
(But we like those too 😆💅🏽)
My summer course on color and light is full but the wait-list is open!
Link in bio ✍🏽
She doesn’t bite but her babies are another story. 😘
Ivy is coming with me to my next show at Oakland comic Con! @comic_con_oakland
Want to learn how I approach color and light? Last few spots left in my upcoming digital painting class with @warriorartcamp .
Link in bio ✍🏽✨
Diamonds are a girl's best friend…but good lighting gives her life! ✨🖤🔪
I’ll be at the very first Oakland Comic Con next weekend. Hope to see you there! @comic_con_oakland
I'm just a girl looking for the light. ✨
Color and light are my favorite ways to pull emotional impact from a painting. 🎨
I'm teaching a new session of my full 8 week course on color and light this summer. Registration is open now. If you're interested in learning my digital painting process, take a look at the link in bio. Hope to see you there! 👀
