ARTIST ABOUT

Originally from Ohio (1995) but now based in Columbus, Georgia, Lydia Collins is a nonbinary, disabled, autistic artist specialized in digital and ink illustration. Community taught, they have been a professional freelancer for over a decade. Their ability to adapt has gained them a variety of skills ranging from product packaging design for their artist store, page illustration for books such as Backwards TTRPG and How To GM Romance, comics art such as for Deadbeats 2, and more.

In their personal work they encourage common motifs of death acceptance, resilience, and curiosity, often through the mask of gothic fairies and historical design.

Currently, they are hard at work on their original graphic novel Widderwood, a tale following an autistic ghost that must find self respect and stop the destruction of the fae after ending up in his death guide's displeased claws.

Patreon

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Toss a tip

Contact:
lydia@coyoteprince.com

(always considering anthology/zine & tattoo design work)

    • Wayward Kindred Anthology, 2020 (illustrator)

    • Deadbeats 2: London Calling, 2021 (comic layout, lineart, & character design) on "One More Broken Thing", alongside Jeremy Lambert (writer), Jey Barnes (colors), & Micah Myers (letters)

    • Cheers!, 2022 (illustrator)

    • Backwards TTRPG by Backwater Games, 2023 (illustrator)

    • Love At First Fright, 2023 (illustrator for main anthology + nsfw booklet)

    • 13 Days Halloween Advent Calendar, 2023 (illustrator & merchandise)

    • How to GM Romance, 2025 (illustrator)

    • Dark Fairies, 2025 (illustrator)

ARTIST FAQ.

  • DIGITAL

    Tablet: Wacom Intuos Pro with Huion Keydial

    Program: Photoshop CC

    Brushes: True Grit Texture Supply

    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: Strathmore bristol board

  • Lydia has been a full time artist for over a decade- a job born of survival after facing a prolonged life in abusive captivity as a result of being diagnosed with autism young.

    Rendered disabled from the experience, they now focus on rehabilitation and being a vocal advocate for autistic & disability rights, often through their art.

  • Death has followed Lydia their entire life. Speaking to ghosts, being a first responder to multiple human deaths, hosting in-depth pet funerals for others, guiding mourners through grief, repairing & documenting 1800’s cemeteries, osteological dissection & preparation- it’d be easier to list what they haven’t had a hand in.

    Their intimate connection to the end and the paranormal is infused throughout their art. Spiritually, they are a witch and psychopomp- a guide to the dead and dying to the afterlife.

  • Earliest influences include typical gothic classics such as Tim Burton, Edward Gorey, Gris Grimly, and more colorfully, Mary Blair.

    Particularly influential media was Paul Reubens (PeeWee’s Playhouse), The Wizard of OZ (1939), and most of Rankin Bass’ animated features (especially The Last Unicorn).

    (More will be added to this later! WIP)

  • If you are a tattoo artist, please don't offer Lydia's work as a flash to others.

    Otherwise, if you find connection with Lydia's art, tattoos are fine, but please consider throwing Lydia a tip of whatever you can afford as this is how they survive- and be sure to show us!

    You can email us at:
    lydia@coyoteprince.com

Affiliations:

Charity Work:

Lydia can't afford to be part of charities often, but will always at least consider participating in autism & death-positive focused charities if asked.

Lydia’s store is an official dedicated donor to The Order of the Good Death.