50. Love Day

50. Love Day. Man embracing his husband about to lovingly kiss. Caption: To the boss of my heart, happy valenine's day.

49. The Rush

49. The Rush. Man reflecting on various chat bubbles saying you're spending the holiday with your other parent, hmm?! I'm in town, it's going to be our only chance to visit this year! We're sad it was too much for either of us to visit this year... Let's have a big christmas party! Gees why aren't your decorations up yet?? When is visitation? Stop asking what we're having for dinner and who's coming! Why has your son been so upset this season? He thinks to himself 'tis the season...

48. The Holidays

48. The Holidays. Man and boy in a darkened living room, looking at an old-fashioned TV. Boy says gees, how many times are you going to watch these holiday memories? Man replies I don't really have much choice, son...

36. Two Weeks

Work colleague says Hey man, sorry to hear you're leaving. I learned tons from you. Man says Hey, yeah, thanks. It was great to work with you too. Another work colleague is waiting to speak to man. Man thinks I'm out of unique nice things to say, I hope no one notices...

35. Burn Out

Burnout. Panel 1: Man floating on log, thinking “gee, I didn’t know I was this far out.” Panel 2: Zoom out to man being lost at sea.

34. Fear

Man confronts a physical manifestation of his fear. The fear writhes and says sent back, lost cause, out of control, homeless, disgraced, failure, always knew it. Man says you think I haven't noticed you chasing me all these years?! Pushing me around, telling me I am one misstep from losing everything?

33. After Lunch

Right after lunch: I feel super! I don't need a tea. 10 minutes later: OK nope, tea time

32. With Kindness

Me, relaxed, holding a cup of tea, mostly nude, with my scars visible

Background: For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with accepting and loving my whole self. I have had a lot of challenging experiences in my life that have left sometimes very deep emotional scars. When things are going well, it’s easy to love and accept myself, but when times are hard and my scars are aching, it gets tough. I have been able to turn a page this fall, and have learned acceptance and love for myself even when I am hurting through loving kindness and mindful meditation. After going to a few artist collective open houses recently, and experiencing the power of others expressing themselves, I felt inspired to put stylus to screen and show where I feel scars in my body when I am having a tough time. Doing this was a practice in self acceptance and love, as well as a way to make my experience tangible.

[Scars Hidden Alternate]

14. Hat

A long running joke in our relationship is my wanting a cowboy hat, and my husband strongly disapproving of the idea. One day!

man smiling: what do you think of my new hat? spouse-man: no. absolutely no cowboy hats! man: aw. you're just jealous!

13. Dark Mirror

I have been trying to sum up how the last four years in the US have felt, seeing people who look like me that come from similar backgrounds be so full of hatred

man looking into a mirror with a sad expression. the reflection is smiling maliciously

12. Coping

Paying homage to a classic

coping: man laying on sofa listening to music with headphones while fire rages outside window

11. Tower-19

pixel art. man facing out open door in decaying stone tower, looking at night sky full of stars

10. Vacation

Spouse man to man sitting at table with laptop computer: We should really take a vacation. Laptop computer screen: the world is closed. Man: Right. Staycation it is.

7. Preparing for Parenthood

Man holding crying baby upside down: how do I make it stop?! spouse-man: I don't know, it didn't come with a manual... baby: WAAHHH!

6. Holidays

5. Rock

4. Beard

3. Moving

1. What?