(1/6) We're 16 days to Desert Bus 2025, and it's time to present my finished #CraftAlong!
"Six Cel-Shaded Sapphics" is a celebration of #lesbian and #sapphic representation in animation, in the form of a #triptych depicting my 3 fav couples in #watercolour #painting and #calligraphy.
Over the next few days, I'll be sharing detailed photographs in this thread. Also watch https://desertbus.org for the full description and prize schedule soon!
(2/6) "I. Travellers, spiritually", depicts Korra & Asami Satō 佐藤麻美 (The Legend of Korra, 2012–2014).
Painting based on "fanart" by Konietzko, one of the Korra creators.
Quotes represent their challenging journey, Watsonian and Doylist, culminating in first steps together.
The frame is also part of the art. The bottom matboard is hand-carved with silhouettes meaningful to each couple: in this case, the Republic City skyline, by far the hardest silhouette.
(3/6) "II. Partners, chronologically" depicts Max Caulfield and Chloe Price (Life is Strange, 2015).
The painting depicts an iconic scene, walking along the railroad tracks near Chloe's junkyard. The quotes juxtapose the innocence of their shared childhood, and the challenges of their reunion through the events of the game.
In matboard, the Arcadia Bay lighthouse, overlooking the bay.
This game was hugely important to my own exploration of gender.
(4/6) "III. Batatas, fearlessly", the final part of the triptych, depicts Luz Noceda and Amity Blight (The Owl House, 2020–23).
This was the last piece I designed but the first that I painted and carved. It's a little rougher around the edges, alas.
The quotes reflect Amity's awakening in her early crush on Luz, Luz's playful confidence, and her courage through the events of the series.
The silhouette depicts The Owl House, where Luz's adoptive mum Eda lives.
(5/6) I spent quite a bit of effort learning the craft of framing—complementing art with matboard colours/widths, cutting it, hinging, sealing, hanging, conservation techniques/materials.
Turns out, there's a *lot* to framing. But I think it was worth it, and I'm super proud of the result.
I hope the recipient of this piece will cherish it—as an expression of queer joy, as fanart of series I hope will become queer classics—for 10, 20, 30 years to come.
Holy bus I'm a live auction???
The Desert Bus prize schedule has been posted! My piece will be on auction on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at 15:00 PDT! https://desertbus.org/2025/prize/XRVQPMLKZMNR
If you're coming from the Desert Bus website, scroll up through this thread for more photos!
And to cap things off: I included a little insert leaflet!. (If you won this work and it's missing, get in touch!)
(6/6)
#DB2025 #CraftAlong #charity #lgbtqia #sapphic #painting #watercolor #watercolour #calligraphy
Laurabunny
Anya - GeekyTeaKitty