One yellow leaf falls into the palm of your hand, and with it, your mood suddenly changes!! 🍂🍁🧡🎃
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Despite having to dodge every Pumpkin Spice concoction being peddled to me the past month, the hues of Halloween season shall forever remain my favorite, goth and cosy all in one too-short month. It is around this time of year when I finally am able to breathe a sigh of relief after a busy summer convention season. I sit back and take stock, literally and figuratively, of my creations so far this year and the direction in how I want to take my work in the coming year.

This year I split my time drawing a few illustration pieces, and also designing some merch in the form of pins. I've been giving more focus towards merch making lately as a fresh medium to bring some new challenges and fun into my practice. Unlike illustration work though, the process of merch making is longer and more convoluted. There are the steps of vetting manufacturers, getting prototypes and samples made, and the long 2 month shipping time for the final product to arrive. The process is not so glamorous or as interesting to show off. So for now I've only got some life updates to share!

My one vacation this year I went hiking in the Azores Islands of Portugal! I spent the trip taking in beautiful nature and really invigorated my desire to incorporate even MORE nature into my work 🌿🌿

In other Octobery news, Toronto is opening its first Artist Alley Shop and I'm very pleased to have a space there. It's going to be a whopping 130+ artists; here's my artist spotlight on their insta page. I hope you'll be able to come check it out if you're in town, should be pretty exciting - I drop by the Montreal location often & they do a great job running it.

I'm also part of the Mr. Surprise October rotation: Enchanted Tales! I must say that stocking two shops was a bit of a juggle - I worked super hard to set up my vision. It took a few trips to Ikea and a bucket of paint but I do have a pin display I really like now, which is part of my set-up at Artist Alley Shop.

Hades II came out of early access last month and I've been playing through it fiendishly...who is the contender for best wife and why is it Nemesis? 💪🫦 I still remember the time I first played Hades and asking why was everyone was so hot???

Hades I

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Showcasing this collection - straight out of a 2021 time capsule! They have been part of my regular print rotation for years, and I also made a set using a pearly, iridescent paper (a subtly shimmering paper stock infused with fibers that show up as tiny metallic specks); it made the saturated colours prettier. I'm experimenting with differing paper options for some of my newer prints as well. It's interesting if the paper itself could contribute to the end result. This set is set to retire once a new Hades II set drops 😚

Mr. Surprise October Rotation

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It's gratifying that more and more shops are carrying the work of Artist Alley artists, we put so much love into our work and have so many years of experience under our belt creating our products, retailers are finally creating opportunities for us to sell in a retail space! It's also nice to not be confined to a table display and try out some different set ups.

For anyone who has visited Mr. Surprise of Artist Alley Shop in person, I would love to hear how it felt to engage with my work there. Was it less hectic shopping experience, and did you feel you could browse more slowly?

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Take care and stay warm!

Bo🌿

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PS) look at this view guys!!

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Event Schedule:

Next Conventions:​
Kumoricon Oct 31-2 Porland, OR
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