Look I drew a thing in 2022.
“It’s cold outside, and Mai is heading for the trains with her head down when Kane calls Kai’s name, jogging out in just his t-shirt.
Kai turns back. “Kane, it’s freaking freezing --”
“I just… I was thinking about the whole thing with Ryley,” Kane says, mouth twisted in a frown. “Are you sure you… wanted to break up with her?”
Kai gives Kane a wry smile. “Kane. Off the top of your head, can you remember the last time Ryley and I seemed happy to be in each other’s presence? At the same time?”
Kane looks surprised for a moment, starts to bounce up and down a bit while he searches Kai’s face and thinks. When no memory rises to the surface, he returns Kai’s smile. “I guess not.”
It’s the answer Kai expects and he glances back in the direction his sister went. She’s standing a few yards off, waiting impatiently for Kai to join her. Looking back at Kane, he draws a soft breath, exhaling slowly. “I didn’t break up with Ryley *because* of what she did to you. It definitely played a role in it, but...” He takes another breath, then continues before he can stop himself. “I realized I didn’t like her. Or…girls...I think.” Kai can feel his cheeks burn despite the cold air and he shrugs his shoulders. “Does that answer your question?”
If Kane thought he was surprised before, he’s doubly now. His mouth parts, neck flushing even though he’s fucking cold and the side of his mouth quirks up until he can’t help but grin and look away. “Yeah, okay, I think that… clears it up.”
Kai’s eyes flick back to Kane, nervous, but it feels right and Kane seems satisfied. “Okay. I’ll see you,” he says, then turns away to walk, not *flee*, to catch up with his sister.
“KAI,” Kane calls at his back, and when Kai turns, “YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY!” He shouts, raising his arms over his head as he dances backward toward the warmth of the dorm.
Another wee illustration of Kane Ryder with Kai and Maiko McCarthy from my Andromeda AU. These three kids have a very special bond that just *destroys* me.
From the fic: “Kane holds Sara longer than he should, until she’s tapping on his back impatiently as her shuttle launch time draws close. He squeezes her harder, forcing her to duck out of his grip and shove him playfully away. They both laugh, so the last thing she sees is his smile, but when the car is pulling off Mai loops her arm through Kane’s and he leans sideways to rest his head on her shoulder. There’s a clawing feeling, a ball of tension and anxiety he hasn’t been able to dispel, like things are about to change.”
SOoooo a friend and I were recently playing Mass Effect Andromeda and we laughed and said off hand, what if our Ryder’s were in the same universe, they’d definitely have a crush on each other. Little did we know that would spark an entire AU universe, once of the richest and most rewarding fan projects I’ve ever been a part of. We’ve written over 50,000 words and I’ve done almost 10 art pieces in the last couple months. Prepare for the influx! As a wee introduction: this is Kane Ryder, and Kai and Maiko McCarthy who belong to my writing partner. <3
From our fic:
“Everything around them fades to static as the hallex wears off, Kane listens to the sound of the train hovering above the tracks. Feels the cool, humid breeze from an open window pouring over his exposed skin, drying the sticky, sweet sweat to his clothes. Maybe it’s his own heart beat that’s thrumming below the other sounds, maybe the hallex is still working, ‘cause he could swear it’s Kai’s. A steady, predictable percussion that says *I’ve got you*.”
A quick illustration of my custom Kane and Sara Ryder, with inspo provided by the 6 of cups tarot card representing nostalgia, childhood, revisiting the past. The flower in the cups is forget me not, symbolizing someone that you will always remember and keep in your thoughts.
This was my first painting back from the wee hiatus I took between July 2020 and February 2021. Always fitting when I make my way back with a portrait of Anias Trevelyan, the reason I first ended up on tumblr to begin with. I hadn’t painted a portrait like this since 2017(!!), having focused on comic and line art for awhile. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to pull it off, but was very happy with the results.
A smol peebs. <3 I wish all people could be blue.
So I found this reference photo with really lovely, poised hands and I wanted to paint them. Of course she became Bethany, because all reference photos eventually become Bethany Hawke. The hands actually ended up taking forever and I hated them hated them hating them until all of a sudden I liked them. Cut and print. Can’t fiddle with them any more XD
This one’s a little special. Not only did I dabble in backgrounds, the painting is of two main characters from the book I’ve been writing since 2018. I’m so proud of this thing (the book, and the art) and so excited to get these characters out in the world.
In honour of the Legacy Edition, a wee sketch/painting I did of my new commander Shepard.
I call this, “fuck ya I have, and you will too silly bug”
A little ode to my favourite feeding position and the softness of a new mama’s body.
Mama in the backyard.
Nothing like new motherhood to inspire a new art style.
*tap*tap*tap* is this thing on?
So do your worst to me Test my loyalty I will pass with distinction Of first degree I lost my mind to you Somewhere down the line that you drew But I only have myself to blame ‘Cause I still love you just the same
- Just The Same, Bruno Major
Some details. I’m weirdly proud of getting the song lyrics into the pic as a little Easter Egg but my favourite is still Elektra’s hair. Curly haired Elektra is the only Elektra.