
TikTok user Ashley Shim told Newsweek: "It's easy to feel like that's the normal standard—that everyone should have long nails."

. . . Tylenol?
Weekly chit chat thread 21st April
At the risk of spoilers, I gave up on TLoU this episode. Padro Pascal is prolific enough, I can enjoy him in other things.
Been watching The Pitt, which is amazing. I'm going to rewatch now the first season is complete.
You are the sweetest.
My color palette is almost entirely based on Captain America so I've got these boots and Tommy Hilfiger hooded jacket. I'm pretty happy with them, though I also have to wear a billed cap under the hood to protect my glasses.
I still need a good (and fashionable) umbrella.
What rain gear do you have (or wish you had)?
April showers supposedly bring May flowers. Is it rainy where you are? What gear do you use? What are you missing?
I was OK with it at the time. We were raised jehovahs Witness but left as adults. Now we do some of the holidays big (christmas and birthdays) some a little (Halloween, thanksgiving) and some not at all. The only other thing I'm sad about is that I never got to go trick-or-treating.
We didn't celebrate holidays when I was a kid so I missed out on everything Easter related. I've done a few egg hunts as an adult and those are a lot of fun.
A lot of recipes online take it for granted that you have access to a wide variety of ingredients and ethnic stores. I live in a small town with one small Hispanic grocery and ordering stuff online is expensive.
It's Your Funeral! A book that is equal parts comedy, trivia, and preparing for your eventual demise. Highly recommend.
What's your favorite holiday?
I have those markers. Can you recommend a paper (apart from napkins) that's good for blending on? I got a marker specific paper from Michaels but it didn't work at all.
Also your drawing is great and in sorry you're feeling depressed. You've channeled it really well.
Pearls before swine
Based
What fashion youtubers/tiktokers do you like?
I'm more of a youtube person myself. Here's who I watch:
Hannah Louise Poston has great vids on how to develop your personal style. She does vids on makeup too, if you're into that.
Christina Mychas helps with style too, but focuses a lot on minimalism and organization.
Stylish Curves does a lot of clothing hauls, which don't really interest me, but I like when she does videos about general plus size fashion, or telling us about black-owned or sustainable brands.
Beepworld. I have nothing in common with her personal style, but she has a lot of good tips on making use of what's in your closet and saving money. She's also the one who turned me onto Indyx, which I love for organizing outfits (will do a future post on that).
I'd love to know if you have any recommendations.
Ooh please feel welcome to share at [email protected] since we're doing Extraterrestrial this week.
There are probably studies done on why women tend to prefer written porn, but off the top of my head: it's easier to find material that's made for women's titillation rather than men's. Women are more likely to have been raised with both body-shaming and sex-shaming, and keeping the visuals hidden in your brain may feel safer. Also some people (raises hand) are more turned on by scenarios than bodies.
Thank you. It's crochet. The cross was crocheted separately and sewed on. The ribbon was sewed on as well.
Still porn.
You just sprung a memory for me. I was told as a kid that men examine their fingernails by holding palms up and curling the fingers in; women examine theirs palms down, fingers splayed. Thought I was some kind of non-conformist for doing it the man way.
I much prefer a skirt that bells out over a slim skirt. Gives me the illusion of a figure. Also have never been comfortable baring my belly.
Who and what belongs here?
!52weeksofbaking is dead but [email protected] is still struggling for life. Thanks for the mention.
Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote). Observant, kind, good writer, independent, makes friends with ease, sticks up for the truth, makes the police look incompetent.
Can't pass up this opportunity share the christmas stocking I made for my Christian Goth boyfriend.
Week 16 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Extraterrestrial
Hello artists,
Pretty self-explanatory prompt. Create an image of an extraterrestrial. I guess you could carve a sculpture out of moon rock if you have it.
Go forth and create.
Do you prefer long or short fingernails?
TikTok user Ashley Shim told Newsweek: "It's easy to feel like that's the normal standard—that everyone should have long nails."
Apparently short nails are a fashion statement now as opposed to a thing that just happens because you work with your hands too much and your thyroid is underactive - uh, I mean they're totally short because I AM A CONFIDENT WOMAN. But I've always envied women with naturally long nails, and enjoy looking at other people's professionally manicured nails.
How would you style this?
Jean jackets are pretty versatile. What would you wear with it?
What are your style roots?
Discover your unique style with Ellie-Jean Royden's 'Style Roots' system, blending personal style with body type. Explore the 8 Style Roots, learn to combine them, and find your perfect style through quizzes and exercises. Embrace a wardrobe that reflects your true self and understand core elements
This is a really fun way of narrowing down your personal style. Designed by stylist Ellie-Jean Royden, the system helps you "define 3 core elements of your personal style, fuse them with each other and your body type with every outfit you wear."
There's a quiz on her website. If seeing example outfits is more helpful for you than a theoretical quiz (it was for me), don't miss these pinterest boards.
So what are your style roots?
Week 15 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Hatching
Hello artists,
This prompt was planned for spring for a reason.
This would also be a great time to practice using hatch marks. We usually associate that with drawing, but you can do it in painting as well.
Go forth and create.
Week 14 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Inspired by a Song
Hello artists,
Visual art inspired by music has been around for a long time.
Modern artists have found inspiration there as well.
Is there a song that creates vivid images for you? You could try to recreate that. Or you could create fan art of a favorite musician.
Chris Loud Art has a short tutorial on using music to inspire abstract painting.
You could listen to a playlist that’s made to inspire creativity. I know Spotify has some available.
Do you usually listen to music while you create? Please drop your favorite songs/soundtracks in the comments.
Go forth and create.
Week 13: Symmetry - Trout
Colored pencil on paper.
Wasn't able to paint this week, and brain fog resulted in the bottom fish right-side up, when I'd intended upside-down
Week 13 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Symmetry
Hello artists,
This is a great article on seven types of symmetry in art:
Note that Asymmetry will be its own prompt in July. If you want to learn more about these and see some examples, check out the article.
Mandalas are almost always symmetrical and can be fun and relaxing to draw/color.
Also check out master of symmetry M.C. Escher’s work.
Go forth and create.
Week 12: Ugly - My Street
Gouache on paper.
My street is always covered in trash. People can't be bothered to throw their bags in the bin, or even bag their trash at all, so it blows everywhere. I was walking out one night and saw the moon, looking like it was cradled in the branches of this tree. The juxtaposition of the dumpster stuck with me.
Week 11: Textures - Untitled Mess
Acryllic paint and netting on canvas.
I save my acryllic skins (the dried paint on your palette or paint bottles) and mod podged them onto this. Didn't quite come out the way I hoped.
Week 12 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Ugly
Hello artists,
I can think of several interpretations for this prompt.
Go forth and create.
Week 11 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Textures
Hello artists,
Texture can be created in a myriad of ways.
Traditionally, artists have created thick textured paintings with the impasto technique.
You can make a collage in the style of Alberto Burri.
You can add paint to a surface by using something other than a paintbrush, like a sponge, plastic wrap, or bubble wrap.
You can try drawing to create the illusion of texture.
This could also be a cool week to take up sculpture.
Go forth and create.
Week 10: Tiny - Bee Butts
Acryllic and ink on paper.
I suck at lettering.
Week 10 Intro and Weekly Discussion: Tiny
Hello artists,
This week we’re playing with scale. You can illustrate/make something that is:
Go forth and create.
Week 9: Fire - Squeegee Candle
Acryllic paint on black canvas.
My first time doing a squeegee painting. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it. Fun and satisfying.
Is it OK for a baby's head to be rolled all the way back on its neck?
Visited a booth at my farmer's market where the mom working was wearing her baby in a sling on her back. This kid's neck was as far back as it could go. We mentioned it to the mom, and she just said "yeah, her head's been bobbing around all morning."
I don't know the baby's age. And I don't know much about babies. Based on the first time I saw her, she's at least seven months old. I know that newborns' necks need to be supported. And I know that having your neck in that position can cause a stroke in adults.
It made my mom so uncomfortable she had to walk away, but the people behind us talked to the woman and said nothing about it. Should this be reported to someone? Or is it totally normal and fine?
Week 8: Abstract
Untitled acryllic and marker on paper. I don't love it, but I'm glad I attempted it. There comes a point where I know it can be better, but I'm tired of working on it and want to do something else.