I have been working towards a particular style, perhaps even subconsciously for quite some time. Some highlights were vibrant colours, minimal line weight, lots and lots of detail. It's something I think came from influences and artists I'd admired through the years (Moebius, Geof Darrow). The problem has always been fighting the need to get a post out, get some engagement online versus taking the time something like this needs. When the algorithms shifted, and my online engagements dropped, I sort of disconnected from the whole thing. I stopped posting for large chunks of time (well, larger chunks of time) and really didn't see a point.

More recently, I've come to realize that the joy in a lot of it was gone, and I was just chasing likes on Instagram or Twitter or whatever, even though I'd never had great engagement to begin with. I started drawing again, just for me, and realized that was the point. To create something for myself, to maybe push myself to do something new or challenging, and to not care if anyone noticed. Hell, the irony in writing all this on a blog that I'm not even sure folks check anymore is not lost on me.

This artwork is the result of me slowing down, realizing as close to the picture I had in my head at the time, and just revelling in all the tiny details. I doubt I'd do this consistently in the future, as rewarding as it is it takes a lot of time! However, I am proud of how it turned out, and hope someone, somewhere finds a little joy in it, knowing that I did first and that's all that matters.

Labels: Forest, forest spirit, Photoshop, spirits