Artist FAQs

DIGITAL

Tablet: Huion Kamvas pro 13, with Huion Keydial

Program: Photoshop CC

TRADITIONAL

Ink: Black Cat India Ink by Blick’s, M. Graham gouache

Pen: A variety of antique dip styluses, an antique metal ink well, and a wide variety of drawing, mapping, and specialty nibs

Paper: Mainly Strathmore bristol board, sometimes random watercolor

With lack of access to basic care during a vitriolic home life & being disabled young, Lydia had to create their own job that fit them to survive. They have been a full time artist for almost two decades.

Lydia has had to face death early and regularly through their life, resulting in a ranged experience with mortality.

They’ve nearly lost their life to serious illness and neglect due to being autistic, been unluckily first on scene to multiple accidental fatalities, have donated their time to cemetery preservation & restoration, have experience in osteology, pelt tanning, & taxidermy, and once offered pet memorial services to those who wanted a low cost alternative to burial and cremation. In the odder sense, they’ve had many paranormal experiences, often with the dead calling to them in some manner.

Whether its been the importance of taxidermy as a conservation tool or the discussion of alternative methods of body disposal, the past two decades Lydia has been extremely vocal about death topics.

Their dedication to death education, activism, and taking active part in caring for memorial objects and deceased humans & animals is a life calling which touches every aspect of their self and art. With such a wide variety of death related “jobs” they’ve had a hand in and their permanent oath to be a psychopomp, they use the term “death worker” to quickly and easily describe their varied work.

Lydia’s unique and continued action with death has led many people over the past 2 decades to change their opinion on previously held beliefs for the better, with more understanding to sensitive death topics and lessened anxiety over death.

Lydia identifies as a witch spiritually and puts a bit of their own energy and practice into everything they create. The fairies and shucks they draw are also heavily rooted in their own personal beliefs and often time contradicts universally accepted folklore.

Despite practicing witchcraft and it influencing their art & merchandise, Lydia does not identify as a Pagan or Wiccan and follows their own path based on their intuition. Further, they try to consciously avoid taking from indigenous practices out of respect.

Lydia has a wide swath of inspirational sources, but doesn’t really keep favorite artists and avoids drawing from contemporary artists.

Their primary source of inspiration today is their own lived experiences and special interests- particularly that of Victorian decorative embellishments, turn of the century packaging design, pre-1900’s linework, and most importantly, 17-1800’s English grave art.

Their queer & autistic identity plays a massive part in their creation, showing through in every line they draw. In a nutshell, their inspiration being inward focused and based on their special interests has culminated in a heartfelt depiction of their self as a person, which has drawn many people of similar backgrounds in for its sincerity.

The black shuck plays an important part of Lydia’s spiritual practice, but the Headless Horseman is a close second.

I do, but I only take them when I can. I give priority to my own work, sponsored commissions, and “higher grade” work like book projects. I also tend to take on tattoo projects whenever they show up since I enjoy them so much.

If you want the typical run of the mill commission, feel free to reach out and ask for a quote. I also keep an inquiry pool open, which I pick and choose from when I can. You can sign up for my newsletter or keep an eye out on my social media for when I’m getting ready to reopen the pool.

Sure! A few people have done this already which is flattering. All I ask is you throw whatever you can afford into my tip jar.

If you want a custom tattoo, be aware these cost more than standard commissions due to how much I put into making sure they are exactly what you want. Prices vary depending on size & complexity but usually start at $120. I can also give quotes for future orders if you need to save up and work within an allotted budget.

Friends, family, etsy, ebay, estate sales, craigslist, and run down thrift stores. If you’re one who thinks all antiques are expensive: nearly everything I have was dirt cheap or free because of damage, knowing where to look and when, and a whole lotta luck. I love my ‘old trash’, I’m not in the market for fine antiques.

Unfortunate circumstances. Loved drawing since I was a kid, in my teens wasn’t allowed to learn how to work, drive, or leave the house. Offering art online was my only chance to support myself, which eventually turned into a career.

Bummer backstory, but not to worry: I’m quite happy where I am now and surrounded by loving support.