Bringing the Colors to Life

The coloring phase has officially begun, and I’m feeling pretty good about how it’s shaping up. For this piece, I decided to take a more intuitive approach with color selection, steering away from directly contrasting colors on the color wheel. Instead, I chose hues that felt natural to the elements they represent—flames painted with fiery tones, wood with its earthy richness, and so on.

That said, one area I’m still navigating is the lettering. I expected it to pop more, but with the level of detail in this work, the clarity seems to diminish when viewed from a distance. It’s a challenge I’m reflecting on. Fine detail has always been my thing, but it does create moments where the composition might feel visually “busy.” I’m experimenting with layering and color contrast to strike a better balance, so we’ll see how it pans out.

I’m deep in the stage of work I love most—bringing everything together with color. This is where the piece really starts to feel alive, and it’s always such a rewarding part of the process.

On a more personal note, life has thrown a few curveballs lately. There’s a shift happening in my mental health support system, which initially rattled me a bit. I also had a little mishap with my medication organizer—it got jostled, and I missed a couple of doses. But I’ve sorted it out now, and I’m back on track. It’s a reminder to keep being patient with myself.

For this post, I’ve shared a close-up preview of a section of the piece I’m working on. I decided to crop it to eliminate distractions from the surrounding black-and-white areas so the focus remains on the work in progress.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for following along—I sincerely appreciate the interactions.

Title: Live Long & Prosper
Medium: Pencil
Dimensions: 22.9X30.5 Centimeters
Time: 4 Hours, 30 Minutes
#art #artlovers #artoftheday #localartist #dartmouth #novascotia #illustration #pencil #cat

Inking Progress & Life Updates

 

The first patch of inking is done, and I’m seeing the piece take shape more clearly now. This stage always feels a bit rough—some lines still need refining, and there are areas where I’m not quite certain of the perspective. I’m learning as I go, trying to stay patient with the process. Most of the pencil work is behind me now, though I might make small adjustments to nail down some final details.

This time, I’ve gone heavy with the dark ink in certain areas, like the lettering. It’s almost like underpainting, setting the stage for the color to come. The ink helps give the upcoming colors a different depth and shading than they’d have over plain white paper. If all goes well, I’ll tackle some color this weekend, and I’m excited to show you how that first pass turns out.

Beyond the art, life’s been steady—challenging at times, but overall, I’m in a good place. Mental health has always been something I navigate carefully, and I’m grateful for the support I have in my community. While there’s always room for improvement, I feel like I’m holding steady, focusing on what matters, and appreciating the good things.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything going on in the world, but I remind myself of what’s going well: I have a roof over my head, a job I enjoy, and the means to pursue my hobbies. Like everyone, I feel the pinch of economic pressures, but I try to focus on what I can do instead of what I can’t.

On a lighter note, I’m really looking forward to Path of Exile 2—perfect timing for Christmas! For fellow gamers, it’s going to be such a treat. And locally, there’s been a lot happening. I voted in the provincial election, and it felt great to do my part, especially on such a gorgeous, sunny day. On the federal side, Canada is giving us a small break by dropping the GST/HST on essential items for a while, which is a welcome relief. It’s not a fix for everything, but for families trying to make ends meet, every little bit helps—especially during the holidays.

That said, the little guy is still feeling the heat, and it’s hard not to notice how unevenly these pressures are distributed. Even something as small as going out for a meal makes me think about this. Sure, you pay your tax, but then there’s the tipping culture. I believe in tipping when service is excellent—it’s a way to acknowledge the hard work that goes into making an experience special. It’s not just about obligation; it’s about showing appreciation when it’s deserved.

So, that’s where I’m at right now—inking, reflecting, and staying hopeful. I’ll be back with more updates soon, and I hope you’ll stick around for the journey. Until then, take care of yourselves and keep finding those small joys wherever you can.

Title: Live Long & Prosper
Medium: Pencil
Dimensions: 22.9X30.5 Centimeters
Time: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes
#art #artlovers #artoftheday #localartist #dartmouth #novascotia #illustration #pencil #cat

A Progress Update on My Spock Tribute

 

The pencil work is finally done, and I’ve woven in some new elements as I refined the piece. At the heart of it all is Spock, my mom’s cat, who I’m memorializing here. Behind him, I’ve placed the Grim Reaper—his skull and hand reaching out, a sweet embrace but also poised to take, should the moment call for it.

While I initially considered bringing in more references to superheroes and legendary items, I decided to pull back. I want this piece to feel more natural, focusing on Spock’s memory rather than layering in elements that might not fully resonate with my mom. It’s about capturing his spirit and the quirky, stubborn nature that made him so memorable.

I’ve scribed the words “Live long & prosper” in an arching crown pattern above Spock’s head. Then, at the bottom of the piece, it reads “if you dare.” This phrase perfectly captures the duality of Spock’s personality. He was a cat who wanted to be loved—but only on his own terms. He was comfortable enough to coexist with the rest of us in the house and would even come around for some affection from time to time. But there was always this secret, unspoken timer on how long you could show him love before it became a dare. Push him beyond that invisible boundary, and you’d quickly find out where it was.
As I start inking, I’m excited to see how these elements will come to life. Pen work often brings new clarity, and I know that refining details, perspectives, and lighting might shift the piece in unexpected ways. I don’t always use strong shadows, partly because it’s a technique I’m still learning, but also because I’m drawn to a more stained-glass, illustrative look where each element is laid out clearly without needing a lot of depth.

I know I still have limitations in my skill, but I’m also intentionally aiming for a specific style. With each piece, I feel like I’m getting a little closer to capturing the vision I have in my head. It’s definitely a process of refining, evolving, and learning as I go. I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made and excited to see where this journey takes me.

Title: Live Long & Prosper
Medium: Pencil
Dimensions: 22.9X30.5 Centimeters
Time: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes
#art #artlovers #artoftheday #localartist #dartmouth #novascotia #illustration #pencil #cat

Something New!

 

As I continue to refine the details of this piece, I’m diving deeper into some new & old concepts. The latest focus has been the hand, specifically the Reaper’s glove. It’s more than just an accessory—it’s a powerful tool, one that holds the weight of the universe in its grasp. What does it truly mean to wield control over time, to decide when a life ends? This question has been on my mind as I draw, and it’s led me to reflect on how comic book lore, with its larger-than-life characters and artifacts, mirrors these ideas.

The glove is inspired by a mix of influences: from the iconic Marvel Soul Stone keeper to the cursed artifacts found in darker mythologies. It’s the kind of object that could capture a cunning, nine-lived cat—something only a Reaper, armed with tools of legendary power, could ever hope to control. I’m picturing a glove made from exotic materials, something as extraordinary as Iron Man’s suit or Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton. The knuckles could be adorned with relics of immense power—Infinity Stone-like elements, or even rings that echo the mythical power of the Tesseract or the Mother Box from Justice League.

As I sketch, I’m reminded of Spock’s presence in this piece, and how his gaze, so full of that classic, unimpressed, and yet dangerous energy, fits perfectly with the Reaper’s mission. It’s a relationship built on the love-hate dynamic of the nine-lived cat—capturing it once is a feat, but catching it again and again? That’s a challenge only the Reaper can take on, with patience and precision.

Bringing all of this together has been a rewarding journey. I’ve been focusing on the hand shapes, working to give them that bony, death-like quality, while still infusing the piece with my usual blend of technology, wiring, lighting, and industrial elements. The metallic inks and alternating colors will add depth, especially when the light hits them just right. It’s a reminder that progress is built on many small, consistent efforts over time—motivation doesn’t come first; action does. Trusting the process, being kind to myself, and finding balance along the way are what make the difference.

Thank you to everyone following along and sharing in this creative journey. I’m always open to feedback—good, bad, or anywhere in between. Your thoughts help shape the direction of this piece, and I’m excited to continue refining it. As always, stay tuned for updates,

Title: Live Long & Prosper
Medium: Pencil
Dimensions: 22.9X30.5 Centimeters
Time: 30 Minutes
#art #artlovers #artoftheday #localartist #dartmouth #novascotia #illustration #pencil #cat

Something New!

 

Making a little progress here as I bring some Halloween-inspired elements into this piece. I’m aiming to capture that spooky vibe but also incorporate themes that resonate with common cultural ideas around figures like the Grim Reaper. You’ll notice Spock, my mom’s late cat, staring directly at you—just as he used to look at people with his classic, unimpressed glare that somehow also seemed a bit dangerous. I wanted to capture the Reaper’s presence as if he’s peering through Spock, hand cupped around his face, waiting with bated breath to take him. But with cats having nine lives, there’s this endless dynamic, almost like the Reaper is holding Spock in a mix of frustrated reverence. The love-hate, satisfying-but-trying relationship of having a cat—perfectly fitting for this scene.

I've been experimenting a lot with hand shapes, trying to give them that bony, death-like quality while infusing the piece with my usual cyberpunk/steampunk feel. That means incorporating wires, alternating colors, and metallic inks that give it a 3D effect and add depth to the work, especially when the light catches it right. I’ve poured time into getting this piece just right, especially since organic forms like animals or human poses don’t come easily to me, and I want this to feel natural, not stiff.

Life’s been a balancing act lately, with more focus on physical health—stretching, cycling, and just living a healthier lifestyle. But I’m finding time for art, even if it’s just ten minutes a day. Those small steps do add up. I appreciate any feedback—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and I’d love for you to stick around as I keep refining this piece. I’m hoping to move my art sessions to YouTube soon, expanding from Facebook, so stay tuned for updates on where to catch those! Thanks for following along.

Title: Live Long & Prosper
Medium: Pencil
Dimensions: 22.9X30.5 Centimeters
Time: 30 Minutes
#art #artlovers #artoftheday #localartist #dartmouth #novascotia #illustration #pencil #cat