Happy Gnorbu Day!

Ahhh, Gnorbus, a Neopet from a younger Internet when you couldn't go two steps without encountering a llama meme.

Toy Neopets aren't really my thing, but whoever designed the Toy Gnorbu knew what they were doing! I just had to draw one frolicking away with an equally colourful companion for Gnorbu Day.

Happy Aisha Day!

Alien Aishas are such a classic Neopet, with their simple yet effective design and those adorable vintage space suits!

I took inspiration from Spleela the Alien Aisha, with her Glowing Kadoatie, Mantis, and their new Mootix. I thought it was such a fun combination and just had to draw them!

Art Improvement - 2003-2023

It's that time of year again ...

This year has been a tumultuous one, but we made it through. After years in the black, struggling not to drown, caught in a hopeless, downward spiral, after staring down the abyss and barely making it out alive, this might be the first time in a long time I've been able to remember what the light feels like.

I've had fun with friends. I've reconnected with family. I've had FUN with my art and ENJOYED creating again.

I'm ... happy? It feels unnatural and I feel like if I say it out loud it will all disappear again, but we're going to be okay.

Here's to Y25!!

2023 has been an intense year of extremes.

I lost one friend but reconciled with another. I struggled to break an eating disorder and burned out hard, but also got to work for Neopets in an official capacity!

But by far one of the most important things that happened this year was being able to reconnect with my sibling, to be present for their very special birthday, and to be given the chance to repair our bond.

Neopets used to be our happy place, and while Naomi exists there more in spirit these days, the memories of us growing up in the world of Neopia, with our posse of pets, the love and care we felt for them, and the stories and art we made together are memories I will cherish forever.

While it was bittersweet delving into old photos of us as kids, throwing the gang together at the end was very nostalgic and felt like a fitting end to the year.

This comic was important for me to cap things off. It felt like a culmination of everything that's come before, and a hope for what's just around the corner ...

🎆🎇Happy New Year, everyone! <3🎇🎆

Return to Form

... More like after a WHOLE YEAR, I've FINALLY finished this comic!

I'd almost finished the original comic back in April, but after all the treatment this year, especially in the last few months, I wanted to see how my art - and portrayal of myself - had changed since then.

It's no secret I've been battling depression for decades. I feel empty and hollow inside, like I don't exist, like I'm not a whole person. I don't recognize the thing in the mirror, it doesn't feel like me, like I'm separate or alien to this meatsuit I wear. This pervasive feeling is one of many reasons I haven't been able to draw comics in years, because how can I represent myself if I don't exist?

At the beginning of the year I tried drawing a facsimile of myself based on old art, an amalgamation of everything I used to be, but it still felt wrong. And while I'm still not where I want to be, I am so much better off than where I was before.

I felt confident drawing a newer, more accurate, and personal version of myself blasting through those barriers.

This comic was important to me, not just because yay! I can play Neopets again! But because of what it took to get here.

The old:

🌟Welcome Back to Neopia✨

A long time ago, in 2003, when the '90s had ended but emo hangs hadn't happened yet, an 11 year old girl played Neopets for the very first time...

I finished this banner for my Neopets accounts just in time for the announcement of the merger and the New Era of Neopets!

There are so many ideas and stories I never got around to finishing, so many comics trashed midway because life just got in the way. I've been meaning to revisit them for a while now, to redraw the old and continue the new ... with the exciting news about plans for a bigger and better Neopia, there's no time like the present!

If anyone has been the fence about poking their head back in or just wonders why their dashboard was suddenly flooded with cute, colourful, cartoon animals, now's your chance to join the fun!

See you in the world :)

Don't Wake the Household!

May your halls be decked, your nights silent, your New Years Happy, and your Greetings Seasoned!

I hope everyone gets to celebrate this holiday season with the food you love and the people who mean the most to you ... or else sitting in the comfort of your own home recovering from another crazy year, 'cause that sounds like a great plan too!

⭐🎄Merry Christmas!🎄⭐

🎆🎇Welcome in Year 25!!🎇🎆

Next Year Neopets will be celebrating their 25th anniversary!

This year has been extra special for me. From playing Neopets for the first time in 2003 - kickstarting my dream for a career in art - to officially illustrating for TNT themselves (!!!) in 2023, I feel like I've come full circle.

I'm so excited for this New Era of Neopets, and can't wait to see what next year has in store!

🌊Wipeout // Hitting the Slopes🏂

Duntly the Disco Kyrii enjoys long days on the beach, riding the waves, and cool drinks while he watches the sunset.

CanndyCane the Christmas Kyrii loves high altitudes, hot coco, and racing down the mountainside on her snowboard.

Together, they're a catastrophic pair both in their element ... and out of it! But you gotta' admit, they do look cute together <3

Duntly belongs to @gelly-art!

We're Not Lost ... I Hope

A lot of nostalgia went into this one ... Christmas and Neopets have always had a special overlap for me, ever since my sibling and I were small. We'd crowd around the computer and play together while Christmas lights blinked in the window and snow dusted outside.

I hoped to invoke that feeling of wonder that comes with being a kid, when the world seems so wide and full of magic, of exploring a winter wonderland with a beloved stuffed toy, or the warmth and hope the season brings when you're a kid.

❄⛄Merry Christmas, everyone!🎄⭐

A Little Unravelled

Uh-oh, looks like this Burlap pet's run into a bit of a snare!

Burlap pets are kinda nightmare fuel to me, but for some reason they're very popular on the site. I guess there's a kind of macabre appeal to them, so here's my homage to the colour!

Only The Prettiest Usuls

Of course the only Usul I have an interest in is the Mutant Usul, I'm consistent that way, so here's one smashing her way into Usul Day!

Unfortunately, now I really, really want one ...

One Bruce, Two Bruce

Stitch the Darigan and Bubbles the Mutant Bruce, two fabulous ladies from Horace's crew!

Unfortunately, this one didn't get in for Bruce Day, but I'd had the sketch for this sitting around since the start of the year and still had a lot of fun drawing them!

A Midnight Dream

I'll be honest, I've never been a big fan of Xweetoks, but the UC Faerie gets a pass. Unfortunately, this piece didn't get into the Art Gallery, but I'll never turn down the opportunity to draw Neopets!

Happy 24th Birthday, Neopets!! *fweee!*

I am so excited for this New Era of Neopets and hope for many more birthdays to come! The number "24" kinda disappeared into business, but it was fun to draw all those swoopy lines nonetheless!

On This All Hallow's Eve

Cara Carini is one of those characters that's been stuck in my head for SUCH a long time. It felt SO GOOD to finally put her to paper!

That said, if I never have to render a veil again, it will be too soon.

Unfortunately, as with most of my characters, Cara came complete with a backstory I'm itching to illustrate one day, so it's all but assured I'll have to draw that veil again.

I can regret my elaborate design choices later ... for now

👻🎃👻Happy Halloween!!🎃👻🎃