About 7 months ago, a friend of mine asked if I would design a tattoo for him to celebrate 18 months free from alcohol and cocaine. I was honored! After deciding to make it a Cooper's hawk of some sort, it took me another 6 months to actually create it for him. Last weekend he had it done (in one, brutal sitting). It was a fun project and I am happy with how it turned out. Loooong ago I was a tattoo artist apprentice for about a year, and did just a few tattoos, and have designed a few others for myself and others, but it has been a long while. I am proud of this one, and very proud of my friend Ben who saved his own life before age 35 and is now helping host AA and CA meetings and being a positive influence on many others, including his little brother who has continued to follow in his footsteps. Honesty, these two were some of my favorite party-mates before I stopped partying as well, and I was a 'disruptive' influence on a great many individuals for a lot of my younger life, so it is a perfect synchronicity that now I and this artwork get to be a symbol of healing and positive transformation.

I received this last weekend and opened it after a long work day, thinking I would take a quick peek and then read it later. An hour later, I was changed in the wonderful way that a great story changes you... I couldn't put it down. Thank you, @Sarmed Mirza . <3

I got a bit frustrated and overtried with the sugar skull, but stuck with it and found it to be okay in the end. Also, still enjoying the VQSs in 5 minutes or less. Did you know creative flow has been shown to reduce anxiety?

VQS's are my 'new thang' apparently. I find it mildly entertaining that I have trouble keeping my agreements with myself even for the easy and fun stuff sometimes. I'm gonna blame it on the fine weather and my need to get so many things done before SNOWBOARDING SEASON arrives (in like, a month!). I have been enjoying looking up or creating a prompt and then doing a quick, no pressure sketch of whatever I find that appeals to me, when I don't get any of my own ideas. I do like the firefly one (which is based on an image I found via a google search)--I drew it in ink first, no 'rehearsal' in pencil, and though far from perfect, it demanded a different level of attention than I sometimes give to a first sketch with pencil.

‼️Update: Link for the Post-live update and date for next 'Make it Together' live session. Hey everyone 👋 Quick update about our Make It Together Day. I had planned it for Sunday, but I’ll be teaching in the afternoon and speaking on a panel in the evening — so rather than rush it, let’s find a time when we can all really enjoy it. I’d love for everyone to join and actually have time to create, chat, and support one another. 👉 Please vote below for what works best: - Wednesday 22nd (5–7 PM UK) - Friday 24th (5–7 PM UK) 💛 We’ll draw, share ideas, and those who want can catch up on Inktober together — a proper relaxed creative hangout. If you already voted for this Fri and Sun, thank you! @Sheena Bulpitt @Elissa Mora @Sabine Warthland Just vote again below so we can lock in the best new time. Apologies for any inconvenience. 🙏 Let's vote quickly so we can lock it in. Can’t wait to see you all soon. ✏️