Letters from a Gnome #1

Hi everyone!

It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I can’t believe that we’re already in September. I’ve been wanting to start my newsletter back up for a while, but…it’s been a turbulent year, haha.

On that note: you may notice that my newsletter looks a little different. I was originally using Mailchimp via Squarespace, but since I moved my website onto Neocities, I’ve chosen to switch newsletter services too. I’m much happier with the one I’m using now, so I’m hoping I can be more consistent about sending these out. I also drew up some artwork (the image header and a new icon) for this newsletter relaunch!

What’s New?

First— I have a picture book coming out next February! It’s called Talking Books: Audiobook Inventor Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read, written by Jenny Lacika and illustrated by me. I had a great time illustrating this book and working with the book’s amazing editorial team. I can’t wait to see it out in the world. 

I’m also now available for color design freelance work for comics!

I don’t mean comics coloring work, though— this page on my website explains the difference. If you’ve got a comic you want color designed, hit me up~ (and tell your friends! <3)

Gallery Tour

My idea for this section is to share a few illustrations, comics, or things I’ve made recently. Sometimes I post these on social media, sometimes I don’t— but this is intended to be a nice little highlight reel from the past month/two months/etc.

Lots of editorial illustration to start us out! These were made for The Baltimore Banner, all to accompany different articles and essays.

Seatoad Studio

Did you know that I run an online artist shop alongside my spouse? It’s called Seatoad Studio. I want to use this section to highlight recent additions to our inventory. We’re both independent artists/freelancers at the moment, so each shop order is truly appreciated. We’re hoping to keep adding more goodies over time. :-)

This time, though, I’m showcasing stickers!

Life & Stuff

Lastly, we’re celebrating the mundane! This section is just a drift net catching the miscellaneous fish in the ocean of my day-to-day life.

Eating: Fresh tomatoes from the garden
Drinking: Electrolyte drinks and coffee
Listening: actuator’s soundcloud page
Watching: Cardcaptor Sakura, somehow for the first time
Playing: Mahjong in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Making: Raffia coil & crochet baskets

Apropos of nothing, tell the people in your life that you love them. We are all we have.

Thanks for reading!
- Ashanti