Living Underwater - May prompt: let's share our WIPs and inspiration

[Reb Erlik]

@Oana Thank you so much!

[Jessica Jolicoeur]

@reberlik I love this idea, especially the seahorse.

[Reb Erlik]

@Jessica-Jolicoeur Thank you, Jessica! I posted the final in the May prompt section.

[Jessica Jolicoeur]

@reberlik I looked but I couldn't find it.

[Reb Erlik]

@Jessica-Jolicoeur Hi Jessica, thanks so much! I appreciate you taking a look. I'll re-upload it in this section.
Btw, I loved your tentacle cat from the February prompt! That could totally have worked for living underwater too. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Here's my finished piece for May. It's about a dedicated fan who went underwater to see her favorite band!

(If you're interested, the backstory of this piece is that I've been recovering from sciatica this month. I had to draw this whole thing either standing up or lying down.
That also means that my favorite summer activity of dancing at concerts is not gonna happen.
The silver lining is that I've rediscovered the joyfulness of swimming... something I haven't done since childhood. So this illustration is meant to communicate that feeling of joy and freedom of movement that I can only experience underwater).

[Jessica Jolicoeur]

@reberlik Thank you, that tentacle cat was pretty amusing. lol
I am currently working on the Living Underwater prompt.
Thanks for reposting your art, I appreciate it, that's a fun backstory!
I have had sciatica before and it is so painful. I am sorry you are going through that.
Hopefully working on your art is helping you through it.

[Reb Erlik]

@Jessica-Jolicoeur Awesome that you're doing the Living Underwater prompt! Try to finish fast because Austin said in a reply to a comment that they sometimes may accept some late ones.
If you don't submit in time to be included in the critique, I'd be happy to give some peer feedback.
Or you can submit to Mermay if it fits with your idea.
Btw did you know Mermay is an actual contest with prizes? Apparently you need to tag your work on Instagram with #drawmermay2024 to be included.

Also thanks for sharing your sciatica experience. Hurray for Bad Back Buddies Club!

If you're a BC artist, you can come to a local illustration meetup group on zoom. Join Canada West Illustrators on Facebook if you're interested. We meet twice a month virtually and a few times a year in person.

[Jessica Jolicoeur]

@reberlik I missed the submission date for the critique but I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

I will join the Illustrators Facebook group. I really appreciate these active and supportive communities because the few illustrator FB groups I am on seem to be full of AI artists and people trying to scam.
Its frustrating. I would like to connect with other artists in B.C. and I would for sure attend live events to get to meet other artists.
ThIt'sanks so much for including me.
I do know about Mermay but I have never participated but I might be able to find time this year.
My course and work is taking time but ill try to carve out time to do it.

Sciatica sucks so much. Luckily I don't get it too often but I broke my L5 vertebrae about 10 months ago and its definitely sore from time to time.
Sorry for the very late response, I have been training in a 3D program and I am busy but ill check this forum more frequently.
I hope you are well.

[Reb Erlik]

@Jessica-Jolicoeur Hi Jessica, sounds like you're working hard! Sorry to hear about your back as well. Mine has gotten much better thanks to all the swimming! It wasn't as severe as your case.
Illustration group will meet on zoom this Sunday night may 26 at 6pm pst.

[Jessica Jolicoeur]

@Reb-Erlik Swimming is great exercise, thanks for the reminder. My son and I swim in the ocean a lot during the Summer because I prefer it over a pool.
I'm glad to hear your back is better.
Thank you for letting me know about the Zoom meeting. I may not be able to join it as my brother's birthday is this weekend and all my siblings are coming over for the weekend but I will see if I am able to sneak away for a bit on Sunday.
Thanks again for the support.

Jessica