This is one of the only safe for work moments from my mermaid burlesque act I did over the weekend. More photos here if you dare, but be aware, NSFW. I’ll be performing it a lot in the future.

I was feeling sassy today so I did a quick 30 minute self portrait. A rare glimpse of me without my glasses. This would have taken less time but I started doing it in ArtRage 4 only to have it crash so I redid it in AR3. Also, finally fixed the color calibration issues on my Cintiq. Only took me 3 years. Ugh.

I am happy because I think I mastered this vintage head/neck scarf thing and I look grrrrrrrreat, and because I just got some great news that I never thought I’d hear but I’ve been hoping to hear for years but I’m not gonna share it yet because I don’t want to jinx it.

First attempt at a “land girl” hair scarf. Keeps my hair out of the cheese.

This really is a gratuitous picture of myself, but I’m proud I sort of figured out how to do this.

I get a lot of people saying I look exactly like my drawings. I drew this picture, and then the next day I tried replicating it in a photo, and yep, I pretty much look exactly like my drawings.

Also, to everyone who wanted to use the drawing as a reaction image, I give you my blessing, and thanks for asking.

Grand Rapids artist and friend of the show Anthony Carpenter did a sketch of me in my outer space dress. I am so excited to see myself in his art style.

I had the exact same dream

I always have such a fantastic time at Dr. Sketchy’s. This past weekend I got in a space battle with an astronaut and won the costume contest and drew the model as a car. If you ever have a chance to get to any Dr. Sketchy’s, do it, but especially if you live in West Michigan and can go to the one in Grand Rapids.

Photos by Jon Clay and Regina Joy.

I mainly shave because not doing so overshadows what I want people to focus on. I actually like the look of hairy pits, on myself and others. I don’t request that anyone else find them attractive. Heck, you can even find them personally gross. But when I’ve spent eight hours sewing a dress and that’s all you can comment on? Problems. Seriously, just keep those comments to yourself. Sometimes I shave, and sometimes I don’t, and both states are fine, and could you please talk about my awesome dress and fantastic hair instead.

Pretty much everyone who talked to me at TCAF (of which there were a LOT of you!) said something about me looking exactly like my cartooney self portraits, and I really do think that’s the best appearance-based compliment I can receive.

Thanks so much to all the TCAF people who made me feel special and didn’t seem too weirded out by my accidental caffeine overdose that caused me to vibrate and talk way too loud and fast.