Ang's Year in Art 2023 Summary (Video + Blog)

I’m giddy because I leveled up my video editing game with this one and I hope you all will enjoy it! Take a 15+ min video tour of my year in art, personal faves from 2023, and my 2024 art goals!

Or if a blog post is more your speed, you can check out the article + video instead here. I'm hoping this will be a continuing trend for me in 2024 as I shift things around to prioritize making more video and narrative content.

Let me know what your fave piece of mine was and what you’d like to see more of from me in 2024 in the comments. It's always inspiring to hear from you guys!

Shame for Neev (@maptheunknown) for the Forge of Wonders' latest Exalted Character of the Week Challenge. Shame did not want the golden destiny of being a Solar, but even denying her fate, she shines regal against the darkness.

Getting ever closer to an art style that feels right for me! Shame really captured my muse this round. I hope to do more anima portraits in this style in the future. It really suits Exalted characters.

Painted in Procreate.

From sketch to final, “Lady of May”. 10x20 in. Watercolor & ink. Inspired by dancers across the world, the Lily of the Valley flower, & the May birthstone of Emerald.

Watch the full narrated video about the creation of "Lady of May" here.

Prints & online gallery at Gemstone Goddesses. The “Lady of May” original painting is currently available.

And now a timelapse of "Blue Eye, Silver Tongue".

I've been working on this fan art piece ever since Blue Eye Samurai came out and finally had a chance to finish it! Mizu's story of revenge, betrayal, and growth spoke to me in ways that made me want to drop everything and keep writing my own stories, despite my art block and uncertainty.

I felt a personal connection to Mizu's struggles as a biracial child who felt out of place and someone who wasn't overtly feminine in a generation where my potential was restricted by what my gender is.

Thank you @briankesinger and the team for this amazing show that made me feel like my peculiarities are strengths rather than weaknesses.

I couldn't resist painting a cross-over piece with one of my early original characters from the Exalted TTRPG setting - Koh the Silvertongued Devil. Koh and Mizu share the same unstoppable conviction towards their revenge plots, genderfluid identity, and taste in sunglasses.

Not sure who would win in a fight, but I hope it would end in trading survival tips over tea, at the very least!

"Blue Eye, Silver-Tongue", painted in Procreate.

[BLOG] My March blog wrap-up is live! Get a rundown of this past month's happenings, plus a digest of posts you might've missed. It's been a month of health chaos (but ultimately good news) & finishing a new intense Tarot art painting I'm so very excited to talk about! Where to read in the comments.

Read on at the post here.

[VIDEO] From Sketch to Final - Lady of March, 10x20 in. Watercolor, ink, & gold leaf.

From my Birthstone Goddesses series inspired by Mucha & Art Nouveau / Jugendstil style and the beauty of Spring resurrection.

A new Secret Sketchbook post is up! Discussing the challenges of using reference & sharing a tease of the final X of Swords painting for the Stained Glass Tarot deck coming this year.

A secret peek only for my lovely Patrons.🤫

Read on at the post here.

Celebrating the Spring Equinox with 20% off my Spring-inspired fine art! It's a good time to grab your favorite and support an indie artist at the same time.

>>Shop the sale

New blog post is up collecting the character portraits I’ve created over the past few months + timelapses for each.

It’s been such fun experimenting with different styles with everyone’s Exalted characters. I’ve been so involved in working in a rigid style for years that it’s been so freeing and fun to do these. I’m freeeee!

Read on here

New blog post is up! Discussing my fave movies that get the Art Muse going. Come suggest your faves for me at the post. I'm always on the lookout for more visual feasts!

Read on at the public post here.

Another one for the Exalted Character of the Week challenge over at the Forge of Wonders (Exalted artists Discord server). Experimenting with the Persona art style since Persona 3 Reload's release has reminded me of how striking and dynamic the art is.

Featuring the Abyssal with the sweet tooth, The Cultivar of Bloodied Sunsets, who belongs to @kessinder. Painted in Procreate.

New monthly update blog post is up! Read on for a wrap-up discussing how I’m rebooting my brain to pursue more writing, how Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass is inspiring me, & ongoing Patreon restructuring thoughts. Plus ideas for streaming activities I hope to rev up soon!

Includes a digest of posts you might have missed in January and what to expect in February.

Head's up for my Patreon Patrons! Get a sneak peek at a painting for a secret project I’m working on. Dive deep into the art process of thumbnailing, concept sketching, and more in this Secret Sketchbook post. Pledging at any level grants you access to be able to read.

This piece represents a return to dark, sublime imagery for me and I couldn’t be more excited to get back to my heart’s passion.