When Emotions Pick Up the Pencil

How do your emotions show up in your art?

My emotions are like uninvited guests in my studio—they show up whether I plan for them or not, and they always leave their mark. Sometimes, I create right in the eye of the emotional storm. If I’m crying, I might take a photo mid-tear, mid-fury, mid-fragile moment—just to capture the rawness. I use it later as a reference, a snapshot of truth. In those moments, I’m less concerned with perfection and more focused on honesty. I try to draw the feeling behind my facial expression, the weight behind my eyes, the curve of my mouth when joy, anger, or grief takes over.

When I feel dreamy, I draw dreamy babes—soft, glowing, maybe floating somewhere between sleep and stardust. When I’m feeling playful or whimsical, my characters get sillier, their limbs stretch in impossible ways, their worlds become more enchanted. My emotions don’t just influence the mood of my work—they shape the colors I choose, the poses, the textures, the line quality.

But not every piece is emotionally driven. Sometimes it’s about technique, imagination, or just the thrill of bringing an idea to life. Still, my emotional world is always humming in the background, sneaking into the details. Even in my most lighthearted sketches, there’s often a trace of something deeper—curiosity, longing, joy, or vulnerability.

Ultimately, my art is a mirror—sometimes it reflects what’s on the surface, sometimes what’s buried underneath. Either way, it helps me see myself more clearly.