Shirt via eBay; market/vintage rings.

I had, and occasionally still do have, the worst style. Up until about two years ago, I dressed exclusively in jeans, sneakers and shirts with the sleeves cut off. And this whole problem with wearing sleeveless shirts started with an Iron Maiden Benjamin Breeg shirt.
It was my absolute favourite goddamn shirt until I lost it one night because of an incident involving wrestling and spilled drinks. 

So now I’ve replaced it... and all I've gotta do now is get that perfect sleeve-cutting style down.

This was not the best week for me as an artist (hence the cranky last page), and I think my sketchbook is reflecting that. 

There was a bit of being leaned on -- way too heavily -- by people, for things. I created something that I really loved and was proud of, but now I feel antipathy toward it, because of what surrounded -- or followed -- it. 

I did, however, create a second thing that I loved, and I feel happy about it because of what surrounded and followed it -- which was gratitude and kindness. I think I'll be able to share it next week. 

There was also a bit of being ripped off -- in a direct and systematic way, at times -- with one person more-or-less reproducing each new piece I post, and posting it as their own. But I'll get into that later too. 

Anyway, I'm just feeling a bit -- disillusioned. 

Sugarhigh + Lovestoned Hendrix Bells (teal); Velvet burnout duster via eBay; Vali Myers Night Flower book via Outre Gallery; vintage concho/studded belt; skull from Venice Beach; Cotton On bralette; one-off Wild Minds printed shirt; market/vintage and Spell Designs jewellery; 4711 cologne; LipFusion lipgloss; Wild Unknown tarot.
Edited with curves by Julia Trotti. 

Throw in some dried roses, Nag Champa, and a bit of spiced rum, and you've got some magic.

All illustrations/artwork by Ben Lopez // Tattoo images via Alchemy Tattoo Studio

When I first came across Ben Lopez's work, I got stuck for at least an hour trawling through the archives of his dark, enchanted, ornate world.
I suggest you go do the same.
Also, not only are his illustrations totally on-point, but his life drawing skills are apt to knock you out too. And, like Minka and Miso, Ben's a tattoo artist whose background in illustration and art gives him impeccable style. Seriously, with everyone sporting tattoos now, you rarely see work that is hallmark just-something-else good -- but this is.

Check out more on Ben's Flickr and Facebook.