In my CTcharacters2021 art project, I embarked on a creative journey to design a character each month. Drawing inspiration from my experiences and hyperfixations during that time, the project was an open exploration of my imagination. While primarily undertaken for enjoyment, it proved to be a catalyst for personal growth and artistic development. Each character design was a reflection of my evolving interests and served as a testament to the joy and fulfillment found in artistic expression.
With a thick, warm coat and thick black line art,
she walks from the icy ground to the nearest hot spring.
This month was very cold, so I decided to make a cute and cozy girl that lived in a cold habitat. I was inspired by the Japanese macaque also known as snow monkeys, they have red faces and a white coat of fur. I did not give her human clothing and made her look curious to achieve that wild animal-like nature. She also reminds me a bit of Yetis.
The devils paused their continuous fighting to feel the rewarding touch of her hand.
I wanted to make a carefree girl in tune with nature and animals. My goal was to make a scene with a lot of mystery, where did she come from? What are those statues about? How are such aggressive animals tamed by that woman? With her loose outfit and wild hair, she seems to blend in with her environment. The crème colored clothes fits the birch trees and statues.
Never wilting, forever recorded.
Although the Bunad is most worn on May the 17th for the country's constitutions day celebrations, I decided to let it inspire me this month. The main part of the illustration is a girl wearing the Norwegian Bunad, a traditional dress. I wanted the background to blend in with the torso and make the whole illustration very symmetrical. The pattern on the background is to resemble the complex embroidery on the Bunad.
To go to Neverland or just to avoid traffic, flying is always the most desired magic.
The character I wanted to create needed to be very human. I wanted him to be relatable, so I gave him some urban style clothing. I love redheads, and I thought it was really suitable for someone using magic. The reason for him being relatable is to make magic seem like a hidden talent everyone can achieve. He reminds me of Peter Pan and Howl from Howls Moving Castle.
Escaping the dark depths to glow on the surface, the sun matching her shining pearls.
This month is still very rainy in The Netherlands, so I chose to make a cool purple and pink sunset. I didn’t want to make this illustration too summery. I love the dreads and pearls, it's a bit inspired by a jellyfish. Furthermore, I originally wanted to make her a bit shy and cautious, but she looked too fun and bright, so I chose to make her curious and happy.
By their burning mind and untouchable eternal flame, you will be inspired.
In June starts the general wildfire season and in the Netherlands the weather finally started to get hot. So in this summer spirit I wanted to make a beautiful black deity of fire. Fire danger is a real issue, but what I also saw in it was the inextinguishable spirit and resilience in the face of deadly oppression. I really adore the result!
With clear skies and a hopeful look on life.
I wanted to create a piece to remind me of this time. After finishing it, I already began feeling worse. So please everyone, remind yourself of the happy times and remember: it does get better. You may not see it now, but you are awesome!
"You are a light in a dark room. Whatever you touch multiplies. You inspire those around you to do and be more. You're full of wonder. Your ideas are important. No one can take your light away." The affirmation is from @ry.reed.the.writer on Instagram
Forever brooding, peering upon the land. Lingering.
This month was rainy and not particularly hot. While taking walks, I got inspired by the dead trees and how they curve in the sky. I've always liked birds, and the kestrels praying in the sky triggered that love. So I wanted to include them. "Snag" is the traditional forestry word for a standing dead or partially dead tree. Recently, however, biologists have adopted a more descriptive and creditable term: wildlife tree. I hope you like this little scene I created.
Ride away. Through red mountain passes to the black sunset.
Pecos Bill is an American folklore story told by cowboys during the westward settlement of the southwest. It is told that Pecos Bill was born in Texas in the 1830s. As an infant, he fell out of the wagon. That's when he was raised by coyotes and later found by a man that convinced him that he wasn’t a coyote. He decided to become the best cowboy there was. I chose to depict him as a strange and unlogical man, which comes from the many outrageous stories about Pecos Bill. Even though guns were not his style, I still chose to include it. To make him more threatening and typically more American. I adore folklore and ghost stories, so I enjoy a mysterious depiction like this.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
With my head filled with the brown and yellow leaves, I just had to make a cozy fall pumpkin patch scene. This month is inspired by the fables of Aesop. The roles of The Hen and The Fox are replaced with a more wholesome image. I like to think that the sly fox learned the kind way of life. To not only take, but to give as well. And of course to not deceive. If you haven’t read any of Aesop’s fables, I recommend reading them. They typically have a moral. Aesop was a slave storyteller in Ancient Greece.
I wandered lonely as a cloud. That floats on high o'er vales and hills, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
The bright colors of fall fading, I still clung to that Autumn breeze. I wanted to celebrate solitude with this piece. I designed a druidess amongst the grain fields. Offering her warmth to a wild mouse. Spending time alone can be good for creativity, self-insight, self-development, relaxation, and spirituality. If it is due to positive reasons. Do you enjoy the quiet, or do you feel anxious if you’re with others?
In Celtic and Arthurian folklore, white stags represented otherworldly messengers or symbolized a knight’s quest for purity and salvation.
A moonlit night surrounded by the misty glow of The White Stag. The touch of frost caressed the forest creatures. For winter has come again. All of this matters not, for there is another creature, following The White Stags glow. In search of wonder, and hope. All he will find, in a moment's time, he shall receive.
The white always represented purity and spirituality. But only he will be the one cast as cursed. The glow didn’t seem comforting anymore. The people avoided his glow, while worshiping the faint shimmer in the forest. All of this matters not, for he will return once again, when The Stag calls him once more.
Thanks for reading~
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