Inktober seems to be losing its lustre; its creator was recently accused of plagarism — but I did it this year anyway, as a distraction from the chaos. I didn’t have enough energy to do big drawings, so I found scraps of watercolor paper and did tiny ink paintings. I also didn’t have enough energy to do them daily, so I batched them a few at a time when I could. Thirteen felt like a good number this year; enough to have fun but not to drive myself bananas with more self-imposed obligations. This year may be my last, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge, and seeing what everyone else comes up with.

First off: Fish. Bluegill are beautiful fish, and underrated. I love them and their cousins the pumpkinseeds, for the beautiful flashes on their cheeks.