Cultivate Joyful Rebellion
Because misery isn’t required for revolution.
(Pencil on Paper)
Many years ago, an academic fellow of mine said, “Being outraged is an indulgence.” They’ve probably forgotten this conversation, because this statement was obvious to them. To me, it was a totally new concept.
Up until that point, I’d spent my time around holier-than-thou outrage martyrs, who most definitely established their sociopolitical elitism ranks through the comparison of their respective despair.
It’s taken many more years for this, along with the wisdom of community organizers, and a more nuanced understanding of emotions and actions, to really get roots in my psyche.
Emotions are just emotions. Thoughts are just thoughts. Neither sorrow nor cynicism are necessary to prove you care. Showing up in the world, even when it's burning and you feel small, is the only proof there is.
A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog
I’d love to draw her while she’s awake but I can’t. She’s too blurry. That puppy energy is intense.
(Digital)
Fallen Angel
The Bert and I are puppy sitting again.
(Digital)
Angel is an entirely biblically accurate name for this dog, if you remember Lucifer was once an angel.
Sitting in the Waiting Room
A sketch of a fellow waiter in the waiting room. Whether or not I (or he) am a patient boy, we both wait, we wait, we wait.
(Digital)
It’s just not early summer if I'm not on the brink of major surgery. In 2023, I got my face carved up in the spirit of better breathing; in 2024, I got my gallbladder out. This year, I might get lucky and just have the preliminary tests for all things stomach and colon related and they’ll figure out I can’t eat anything but chicken and rice chex because I have an ulcer and I’ll celebrate by reliving how I dealt with my first ulcer: by playing Silent Hill 20 times in a row.
Or, you know, I’ll find out I have a terminal illness and I'll get to wait to die.
Not feeling anxious about any of this at all, thanks.
Liminal Rooms
From a dream.
(Digital)
One of my favorite Buffy episodes is the Season 4 finale, when the Scoobies fall asleep after defeating Adam and the original slayer stalks through all their dreams.
(And the cheese guy shows up, obvs)
All of the dream transitions are great, but my favorite is Xander turning around in the cab of his ice cream truck, walking back through the main storage section, through a pile of boxes, up and over a crawlspace, and then falling out of the cabinet above the washing machine in his parents' basement where he lives.
My dream aesthetics were more infinite pillow fort than evolving ice cream truck, which just proves my brain has some serious Akira and Spirited Away imagery to tap into.
Ace of Wands Becoming
The last ace for my Tarot.
(Pencil on Paper)
Pollack isn’t verbose about this card. The Ace of Wands is power, energy, love of living. In the Thoth deck, all of the Aces correspond to Kether, meaning they're the archetype of the element; they have no material form.
Do with that info what you will; I’m not a master Tarot reader. Just an illustrator who likes a good project and a magician who likes a good metaphor.
