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Magic in the Mundane

Ash Smith

Illustrations, Comics, and Zines

Home: Welcome

My most recent sketchbook is finally complete! Here is some of my favorite pages collaged nicely from over the past two years. This one took a long time and I’ve been away for a while so I wanted to chat a little bit.

Since I graduated with my art degree in 2022, I’ve had a serious case of burnout. I pushed myself to complete a 30 page comic for my senior project, and I haven’t been able to jump back into comics seriously since then. I was able to temporarily get going by making art for conventions, but that too wore me out. I started thinking of my art as something that needed to be perfect and consumer ready. I stopped making personal art and only drew what I thought others would buy. Eventually I started feeling more stressed than excited about what I was making.

Earlier this year, I decided to take a full break from drawing. I needed to give myself permission to be able to step away without feeling guilty I wasn’t making art. I finished my projects that I was held responsible but other than that, no drawing.

Over the summer I started dipping my toes into drawing but also expanded my creative outlet. I painted my dining room chairs, I hand sewed little projects and recently started learning how to use a sewing machine!

It’s been a long year of personal work and adjusting my mindset when it comes to my creative process. I don’t know if my metaphorical energy tank is full, but it’s recharging. I’m looking forward to making more art and sharing it with you! Posts will be sporadic but I have a small back log of art that I haven’t shared and upcoming projects I’m excited about. If you read this all, aw shucks thanks 💕

#Art #sketchbooktour #sketchbookspread #artistsofinstagram #artistreel

My most recent sketchbook is finally complete! Here is some of my favorite pages collaged nicely from over the past two years. This one took a long time and I’ve been away for a while so I wanted to chat a little bit.

Since I graduated with my art degree in 2022, I’ve had a serious case of burnout. I pushed myself to complete a 30 page comic for my senior project, and I haven’t been able to jump back into comics seriously since then. I was able to temporarily get going by making art for conventions, but that too wore me out. I started thinking of my art as something that needed to be perfect and consumer ready. I stopped making personal art and only drew what I thought others would buy. Eventually I started feeling more stressed than excited about what I was making.

Earlier this year, I decided to take a full break from drawing. I needed to give myself permission to be able to step away without feeling guilty I wasn’t making art. I finished my projects that I was held responsible but other than that, no drawing.

Over the summer I started dipping my toes into drawing but also expanded my creative outlet. I painted my dining room chairs, I hand sewed little projects and recently started learning how to use a sewing machine!

It’s been a long year of personal work and adjusting my mindset when it comes to my creative process. I don’t know if my metaphorical energy tank is full, but it’s recharging. I’m looking forward to making more art and sharing it with you! Posts will be sporadic but I have a small back log of art that I haven’t shared and upcoming projects I’m excited about. If you read this all, aw shucks thanks 💕

#Art #sketchbooktour #sketchbookspread #artistsofinstagram #artistreel

Ghostly Occupations! 👻

These will be available to grab (locally) as part of Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Vending Machine. The debut at the local Fairfax Fall Festival this Saturday!!! They will be $1 each and all proceeds go towards the Fairfax City Parks Foundation. Hope people enjoy a spooky treat while also supporting the local community!
#art #artist #digitalart #ghosts #sheetghost #illustration #fairfax #fairfaxva #fairfaxfallfestival #localart #fairfaxvendingmachine #ghostoccupations #librarian #barber #vet #barista #waiter #fisherman #athlete #farmer #painter

Ghostly Occupations! 👻

These will be available to grab (locally) as part of Fairfax City’s Mini-Art Vending Machine. The debut at the local Fairfax Fall Festival this Saturday!!! They will be $1 each and all proceeds go towards the Fairfax City Parks Foundation. Hope people enjoy a spooky treat while also supporting the local community!
#art #artist #digitalart #ghosts #sheetghost #illustration #fairfax #fairfaxva #fairfaxfallfestival #localart #fairfaxvendingmachine #ghostoccupations #librarian #barber #vet #barista #waiter #fisherman #athlete #farmer #painter

Get your assigned ghost occupation here! Let me know which ones your fav!!

These hard working ghosts were made for a local artist call, full card images will be posted soon!
#whichoneareyou #whichghostareyou #meme #animation #relatablememe #pausegame #art #artist #sheetghosts #sheetghost #sheetghostart #digitalart #clipstudiopaint #librarian #barber #vet #barista #waiter #fisherman #athlete #farmer #painter

Get your assigned ghost occupation here! Let me know which ones your fav!!

These hard working ghosts were made for a local artist call, full card images will be posted soon!
#whichoneareyou #whichghostareyou #meme #animation #relatablememe #pausegame #art #artist #sheetghosts #sheetghost #sheetghostart #digitalart #clipstudiopaint #librarian #barber #vet #barista #waiter #fisherman #athlete #farmer #painter

Leftovers for the Vitae Zine are finally closed so I can post my piece from it! Dazai picking out new bandages including hello kitty 💕 It was a wonderful introduction to working in fan zine projects and was a big turn around for how I render full illustrations! Much love
#art #drawing #digitalart #illustration #fanzine #bsd #bungostraydogs #bsddazai #dazaiosamu #fanart #vitaezine #artist #bsdzine

Leftovers for the Vitae Zine are finally closed so I can post my piece from it! Dazai picking out new bandages including hello kitty 💕 It was a wonderful introduction to working in fan zine projects and was a big turn around for how I render full illustrations! Much love
#art #drawing #digitalart #illustration #fanzine #bsd #bungostraydogs #bsddazai #dazaiosamu #fanart #vitaezine #artist #bsdzine

Midnight crafting
#art #drawing #digitalart #artist #artistsoninstagram #theravencycle #theravenboys #thedreamthieves #theravenking #trc #richardgansey #richardganseyiii #trcgansey #fanart #trcfanart #digitalillustration

Midnight crafting
#art #drawing #digitalart #artist #artistsoninstagram #theravencycle #theravenboys #thedreamthieves #theravenking #trc #richardgansey #richardganseyiii #trcgansey #fanart #trcfanart #digitalillustration

🐈🧡🪴
#art #drawing #digitalart #artist #digitalillustration #environmentstudy #aftg #allforthegame #neiljosten #neiljostenfanart #fanart #aftgfanart #artstudy #aftgneil

🐈🧡🪴
#art #drawing #digitalart #artist #digitalillustration #environmentstudy #aftg #allforthegame #neiljosten #neiljostenfanart #fanart #aftgfanart #artstudy #aftgneil

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Contact

octopars@gmail.com

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