May the force have been with you this month! I was really focused on my Twitch presence and managed to start streaming regularly! (With the exception of this past Wednesday when I was recovering from my COVID vaccine shot. More on that later.) I made all the pixel art for my Twitch channel, like the above picture of my persona with my cats Phoebe (left) and Lilly (right). I think I did well capturing their likenesses if I must say so myself. I LOVE pixel art, and it was really fun to come back to creating it after years in between. Not only that, but I was able to ANIMATE in pixel art! Another thing I haven't done properly in years! Whoo! Returning to my favorite mediums, people! For the Minmon animations below I was really inspired by the pixel renditions of different Digimon from the Digivice toys.
I also got my second Moderna shot which hit me like a sucker punch. I had chills (they were multiplyin'), random jolts of pain through my body (particularly my left leg where I've had injuries before), a swimmy head, and a persistent headache for much the next day.
Media of the Month
I READ:
Activists Assemble: We Are All Equal! by Shannon Webber
Amelia Bedelia Bakes Off by Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia: First Road Trip by Herman Parish
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Son by Lois Lowry
I WATCHED:
My Hero Academia
I LISTENED:
Omori
Danganronpa Another Episode: ULTRA DESPAIR GIRLS
Goal(s) for June
My goals for June are simple: keep up with grad school work, keep streaming, and write if I can! I'll be finishing out the first of two accelerated 6-week courses during this month so I need to stay on my toes and keep up with the large workload. I also want to keep streaming regularly in my scheduled leisure time, which I highly enjoy doing. I haven't written any novels or creative work in awhile, so I'm itching to get back into that when I reach the break between the two accelerated summer courses.
Featured Creator/Business of the Month
Thumin is a creator with many talents who has one of the cutest art styles that generate fun 2000’s anime-like nostalgia and confidence. Her art is transformative and unique, be it original characters or fanart. She also posts on her YouTube channel introspective and comprehensive videos about different subjects in the arts, such as The Disturbing Truth About Picasso, something that I had previously had no knowledge of but am thankful for her covering and bringing to attention! Accountability is important for all people, especially public figures that are revered especially such as the man who created cubism.
The Winx Club girls as Instagram baddies is my favorite fanart series of hers as I remember the Winx Club quite vividly from my childhood. Another great piece of hers is her fanart where she draws herself as Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service, something that is so lovingly depicted that puts a smile on your face. Unfortunately for the latter piece, there has been quite the divide on the internet for Thumin having drawn herself as Kiki, a normal thing many fans do (drawing themselves as their favorite characters, that is) that unfortunately has had her under the subject of much hate from online racist anime fans and others. The hate is unacceptable and representative of a larger issue in art communities, something that I recommend you listen to from Thumin’s perspective on her video This Is NOT Okay… and the follow-up I’m Being ATTACKED Because of a Drawing.
You can support Thumin by watching her videos on Youtube, buying merch from her Teespring, pledging for goodies on Patreon, taking her Skillshare class, or even just following her on Instagram or Twitter!
Stay safe! I hope you have a happy Pride month!