15/01-2023 - Sunday
New year - same old me
Good timezone, beautiful sharks. And speaking of those gorgeous, swimming creatures - let’s kick off this first newsletter of 2023 with some art fresh off the press:
Here’s the new opening and ending screens for my stream! There’s something refreshing about starting the year off with new visuals. Like shaking off the crummy dust and stretching my legs, preparing for new adventures. I wanted something calm and kind; a vibe I think most of us need right now. And while we’re on the topic of streaming, I have a list of games I wish to stream this year. First out is Forspoken, released the 24th this month (in other words, right around the corner.)
At first glance, it kind of look like any other slightly fantasy-merged-with-scifi game, but there’s just a vibe to it that intrigues me. Hope you’ll join me for that!
Then there’s the books
I may have mentioned previously that my only goal for this year was to continue the one from last year: that of reading 12 books total. Last year I managed 10 and I intend to outdo that if only by making it 11 this time. Yesterday I wrapped up the first read of the year. “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree.
At this point it feels like most things that can be said about this book has already been repeatedly quoted. How it’s Animal Crossing meets Dungeons and Dragon. Slice-of-life in a tabletop setting. A refreshing twist on the fantasy genere.
All of this is true, but if I were to sum this story up in a single sentence, I’d go for this: It feels like a warm hug in a book. While the stakes are never zero, the threat isn’t this overlooming dread typical of its genre. The characters are enjoyable and goes through a soft growth throughout the pages. With an echonomical language, I can see this perhaps being a bit dry for some. Personally however I really enjoyed the matter of fact descriptions and efficient sentences. It makes for an easy and enjoyable read. Legends and Lattes is for people who crave slice-of-life DnD with a side of slow burn (or dare I say roast?) romance. I really hope Baldree will blesh our bookshelves with another equally delightful tale in the future.
Art corner
As always it wouldn’t be a newsletter if I didn’t attatch some art. Admittedly I haven’t had much time since I got back home this week, but itching to create after a long absence, there’s at least one piece to show.
This silly little drawing of Taylor and Fortuna, based on a photo a friend of mine shared. (Thank you Mike!) You can see his version here as well as the ref here.
These two ladies live absolutely one hundred percent rent free in my brain these days. When I initially wrapped up Witchcraft back in mid 2020, I thought “that’s that.” It all felt quite unceremonious, seeing how the world events were at the time (and are to this day…) The completion came and went in somber indifference. While I do not wish to bind myself to these words, I have intentions of bringing the comic back in a totally new way. A couple of friends lended their ears to my spin around a revamp for a while now and my plan is to at least draft a script soon. But the script part is also what I dread. Can someone out there lend me their joy of writing? Anyone?
For now I urge you to enjoy Fortuna’s absolute enamored state of her girlfriend’s flex.
How’s your 2023 kicking off? Mine feels somewhat akin to this:
But I’m hoping for an improvement!
PS: My commissions are also open again and I promised I’d mention that in these letters. Go here for more info. And if you’re looking for something else, I also have this portfolio post. Never hesitate to reach out at jawscommission@gmail.com with your budget and vision!
-Jaws