Rompecabezas
Puzzles as exercise, puzzles as rest
It’s cold and rainy in Los Angeles, which I actually really enjoy, because it means it’s “winter” here. It also feels like a cleansing ritual any time it rains here, because it’s so rare and because it really does clean the sky and the air.
Clarity is something I feel like I seek regularly, although not always consciously. For instance, I can’t really focus on writing (like this Substack right now!), or drawing, or replying to emails, or reading if I’m listening to music with lyrics. If you’ve been in the studio and instrumental funk or house is playing, you might hear me refer to it as “smooth brain music.” The sort of music that just plays directly down your central cortex, right between your lobes. I find that sort of music extremely clarifying (and fantastic to dance to!). (In fact, here’s one of my favorite 15-minute long trip-hop songs. Back when I was still using Spotify, my Wrapped told me the first year I encountered this song, I Iistened to it 157 time that year, lol.)
NPR’s LifeKit just wrote about the different kinds of rest there are beyond sleep itself. Reading comes up, but so does my newest fixation: puzzles. I even found myself talking about puzzles in therapy, where my therapist pointed out that puzzles cover a lot of restorative ground. They have a clear pathway forward. They don’t have a timer or an expiration. Your mind can occupy several spaces while you do a puzzle (talking to friends, listening to music), while you forge ahead and make connections between the pieces. This kind of active rest is important, and frankly, it helps me be more creative because it means my rest time is spent building something.
We love LA!
February had a Friday the 13th, and we had SO MUCH FUN. It was consistently busy, we raised $188 (rounding up to $200!) for Friends of the LA River. I’m really proud of the image I designed to promote the day, and… have decided to turn it into limited-run t-shirts for the shop!
Shirts will be $35, and all the money goes back into the studio. Pick yours up at the studio! Message me if you wanna snag one!
There’s also ANOTHER Friday the 13th in March, and in case you missed it, we’re going MEDIEVAL! Same deal: $65 per tattoo, arms and legs only.
Being a constant production machine is bananas
Between aggressive active rest (can I… even use those words together), and working at the studio, and trying to be an attentive human engaged in what the fuck is happening in our country, drawing has been hard. I’ve also sort of like, digitally painted myself into a corner because I’m still weirdly dedicated to my Instagram grid having a pattern of tattoo <> flash <> tattoo. No one really cares but me but the structure (e.g. pressure) helps me.
Here are some flash drawings from the last few months, all available! Claim them here. Unless otherwise stated, all of them are one-and-done!
Events coming up!
March 13 — MEDIEVAL March, Friday the 13th — Mentioned above! 12pm-7pm! First come first serve! 🗡️
March 29 — QUEER QUEST returns! 4pm-7pm, $25. LIMITED TO 6 PEOPLE! Last year’s Queer Quest was so successful, we’re doing it again. Come learn about Dungeons & Dragons in a safe, queer, chill environment with professional DM Thea!
May 19 and 20 — Hey Oakland cuties! I’ll be tattooing at Pretty in Ink in Oakland these days. Flash is ideal, but if you have a custom idea and are down to workshop something remotely, I’m down! Use this link to request Oakland time, and mention which day and time you’d prefer in your inquiry.
Details coming soon for June Pride Flash!
What’s she reading?
I’m currently deep into The Library Book by Susan Orlean. Angelinos, I highly recommend this book. Book nerds, I highly recommend this book. It’s a nonfiction reflection on the history of the LA Public Library, specifically connected to the 1986 Central Library Fire. Susan Orlean is a fantastic writer, her prose are amazing. I also have a deep fondness for her because of my passion for the movie Adaptation, which if you haven’t seen it, I also highly recommend that.
That’s all for now, True Believers! Stay safe, keep fighting for each other, get messy, make mistakes. xx
I like music in languages other than English when I'm working for the same reasons!