Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
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alakotila.bsky.social
Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
@alakotila.bsky.social
4.2K followers 400 following 1.6K posts
I make webcomics! Read SPIDERSILK on Tapas ✨ Enthusiastic about flowers, elves, armor, fantasy thieves, and satyrs 🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ He/They. ✨ Sometimes NSFW. ✨ Freelance Editor, BG artist
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alakotila.bsky.social
Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger @alakotila.bsky.social · Aug 9
Hey! I'm an artist and writer. I make queer fantasy and lots of fancy clothes and flowers. Probably too many elves and satyrs.
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✨💖⚔️🌻
Webcomics: Spidersilk (ongoing), Fell Swoop (complete)
Novels: The Bard and the Messenger (coming this fall)
linktr.ee/alakotila
A book cover titled "The Bard and the Messenger". It depicts a character with wings jumping up and hugging another from about the shoulders. The bard has an instrument at his side, a huge flower crown on his head, and may be singing. The elf he is hugging looks calm and steady. The messenger wears armor with a huge fur cape and holds a bow. The title is in swoopy, romantic font, and the image has a vibrant, warm feel. Digital artwork depicting a satyr diving down to kiss his merman love. The colors are soft, mostly in blues and greens, with hints of pink clothing detailing on their sleeves. They both have long hair with braids and ribbons, and their clothes are patterned and layered. Photo of an open graphic novel. It's space fantasy, showing a tense conversation with the alien team leader and a human medic. The background is colorful and the armor is fanciful. illustration in pen and ink with gold paint texture accents. It shows two men with pointed ears and light fantasy armor with flowing capes. The background is a dark sky with gold clouds, and they seem weightless against the background. It has an almost romantic feeling.
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
jessiegender.bsky.social
Star Trek is always so relatable. I’m human and I also don’t have any money…
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
jongraywb.bsky.social
I know several of my friends and colleagues use Scrivener for their writing projects so heads up! 👇🏾
scrivenerapp.bsky.social ScrivenerApp @scrivenerapp.bsky.social · 19h
Unlike most apps these days, Scrivener does not use AI in any way. However, if you’re on a Mac, you may see an AI prompt.
.
Here’s why, and what you can do if you want to remove this: buff.ly/MlAq0rL
November 20, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
keezyyoung.bsky.social
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida cartoonist who popularized the term "Haida manga," which might get you some additional hits!
Haida manga - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
weyodi.bsky.social
I would suggest A Howl, which is a graphic anthology about werewolves made by only Indigenous writers and artists. You can find A Howl and many many many others Indigenous comics and graphic novels at atcgbooksandcomics.com An Indigenous store and publisher focused on sequential art.
ATCG Books and Comics - Keep Calm and Decolonize!
The original Indigenous comic shop! Featuring comics, books, games, toys and collectibles, including exclusive retails items not found in any other stores.
atcgbooksandcomics.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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tzipporah.cvkvlv.com
I'd like to second the recommendation for Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen. The author is Mvskoke and Jewish, just like me, so this book made me feel so seen!

www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
Emily Bowen Cohen Author | middle grade graphic novel
Website for Emily Bowen Cohen, Native American and Jewish graphic novel creator, the author of Two Tribes.
www.emilybowencohenauthor.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
trueref.bsky.social
New pack OUT NOW! ⚙💛
Jess is back again, and is channeling your fave sci-fi mechanic. (all of them)
multiple art pose reference of a person posing while sitting and crouching. multiple art pose reference of a person sitting and bending over. multiple art pose reference of a person standing while holding different tools. multiple art pose reference of a person standing while holding different tools.
November 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
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megsyv.bsky.social
Today's Art Tip is about drawing the head in perspective, and some shorthands to hopefully make that a little easier.
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
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ziqqix.bsky.social
That frieren chin up head drawing has me tearing up a lil bit like the artist was brave enough to ask for advice on Reddit and got so many encouraging responses and suggestions from thousands all over the world that they made a thank you post 😭 that’s what art making is all about……
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
estregger.bsky.social
Take a look at the Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection at the University of Manitoba Libraries libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/c.php?g=6519... The collection was originally created by @tahltanlibrarian.bsky.social and there is an annotated bibliography
LibGuides: The Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection: Home
This guide gives a brief overview of Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collections, its history and information on the collection.
libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca
November 18, 2025 at 7:51 AM
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toffuo.bsky.social
I can finally post this illustration now when the episode is out 🧜‍♀️

#dontenterthehousepool #housepool #horrorwebtoon #dethp #webtoon #mermaid #siren
November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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kelmcdonald.bsky.social
It and Indiginerds are on sale right now store.ironcircus.com/products/ind...

Also I forget the name but guest editor for Woman in the Woods and editor of Indiginerds @alinapete.bsky.social recently drew a gn. Alina, what's the name of your book?
Indiginerds
First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving... ...and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate r...
store.ironcircus.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
colleenfrakes.bsky.social
Also- jooliecomix.storenvy.com/collections/...
Zines and Comics from Julie Fiveash
Zines and Comics by Julie Fiveash
jooliecomix.storenvy.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
alakotila.bsky.social
Hey, I'm looking for comics and graphic novels *by* Indigenous writers and/or illustrators, especially in the Americas. Doesn't have to be a recent book. Any genre! Any topic, any themes, does not have to be a memoir or history, though that is welcome too!
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 AM
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emiliusdraws.bsky.social
#3157 A helpful tutorial
A digital drawing of one of those drawing tutorials that says 'don't do this, do this.' The drawing is of an almost naked middle-aged man doing a flying kick. The 'Don't do this' one has a bunch of areas circled and a cross under it. The 'Do this' one is exactly the same but without the circles and a tick instead of a cross. The text reads 'Needlessly adding red circles will ruin your art' and a smaller bit of text at the bottom reads 'Bonus tip! Add a tick under all your art so people think you did it right.'
November 17, 2025 at 11:40 PM
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cypheroftyr.bsky.social
So I did the thing before I chickened out (or came to my senses) and threw up a GFM as a stop gap measure. I hate doing it more than anyone will hate seeing another fund raiser.

gofund.me/f5615787f
Donate to Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt., organized by Tanya DePass
Like many of those in the games industry, I was laid off back… Tanya DePass needs your support for Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt.
gofund.me
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
alakotila.bsky.social
I have a heck of a time understanding lyrics and I use subtitles for movies, so imagine my pain when I heard a song I needed to know on the radio 🫠 I was struggling to pick up a chain of 3+ words so I could look it up later. I was even gonna contact the radio station lmao
November 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
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filmintuition.bsky.social
Fellow writers constantly closing pop-up windows while we work, Emma Thompson feels our pain! ♥️
November 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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vampbyte.bsky.social
maeron ursinius, hand of the dread-father 🏹
A portrait illustration of a high elf. His light blonde hair is tied back and he has one yellow eye, one scarred red and white eye. His hands are folded over the bottom of the frame. The frame features a rose staff, a bow with arrows, and the symbols for the Dark Brotherhood (an open hand) and the Vampire Lord (a vampire skull).
November 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
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sulkybender.bsky.social
i dont want to be in a fandom that critisizes the choices of fictional characters like they are human beings. i want to see THEORY and ANALYSIS and STORY STRUCTURE and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!! I WANT PARALLELS AND MOTIFS AND VISUAL CUES!!! They're not REAL they are TOOLS so stop acting like they are people who made bad choices and should be punished. of course they made bad choices!!! that shit is funny and cool to watch!!
November 13, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Reposted by Aleksi Gray @ The Bard and the Messenger
gamerstavernshow.com
People NEED to understand the evil of Prosperity Gospel and how it underpins the right-wing "Christianity"

They believe that God will reward you in this life (not just Heaven) with riches and good health for being Holy. And the inverse is also true - if you're sick or poor, that's God's punishment.
kendrawrites.com Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis @kendrawrites.com · 6d
I don't think we talk enough about the fact that what underpins their belief is a corruption of the bible - prosperity gospel. They think because they are rich , they are blessed by god.

also for people who are going to say, I'm saying they aren't really christian - I'm not. /1
propublica.org ProPublica @propublica.org · 6d
Like the Koch brothers and other conservative billionaires, Dunn and Wilks want to slash regulations and taxes.

Their endgame, however, is more radical: not just to limit the government but also to steer it toward Christian rule.

(Published Oct. 2024)
November 14, 2025 at 4:55 AM
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wearequeeraf.com
🏳️‍⚧️ We’re back with paid opportunities for Trans+ creatives!

Writer? Illustrator? Audio producer? This is for you.

With @transhistoryweek.com we’re investing in 20 Trans+ creatives to make content for Trans+ History Week 2026.

Deadline 2nd Dec 2025, 11:59PM GMT 🗓️
🧵 Details 👇
Graphic on light grey and pastel purple background featuring six Trans+ creatives. Text that reads: Trans+ History Week 04-10 May 2026. Paid opportunities for Trans+ Creatives.
November 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
alakotila.bsky.social
Felt like sharing some random creative hobbies -- I consider myself a comic artist, illustrator and writer first, but you've gotta have hobbies! These tend to be floral (surprise!!)
Photograph of a rug in progress (being woven) on a loom. It has stripes of various shades of pink and white. Photograph of a hand holding a small bouquet of flowers. It features a white Icelandic poppy as well as some small wildflowers in bright yellows and purple. Photograph of a mannequin head with a flower crown on it. The flower crown has faux maple leaves in colors like purple and white. Dark purple flowers, dusty pink foliage, and faux thistles round out the crown. Photo of a wreath. It is made from foraged items such a pine branch I found in the ditch. It also contains dried florals and foliage from farm stands or my yard. It includes other foraged items such as asparagus fern and seed heads. Dried citrus, rose hips, cinnamon sticks, and a bow top it off.
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 AM
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alakotila.bsky.social
These two 🧡
Illustration of two men with long hair embracing. They wear simple tunics and stand with their foreheads touching. The elf on the right wears a flower crown on his long black hair, and he holds a bouquet over the shoulder of the red-haired fey on the left. Colors are soft and reminiscent of fall. Characters are from Alakotila's comic Spidersilk.
November 5, 2025 at 2:14 AM
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galtenoble.bsky.social
Did you know? I'm not just an illustrator, I also love making comics!

You can find links to my other socials, my website, and places to read my webcomic--Guilts of Tundai--in my linktree: linktr.ee/galtenoble
A page from my webcomic, Guilts of Tundai. Two men walk with a child over a snow-covered stone bridge.
November 1, 2024 at 7:14 PM
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portaltohades.bsky.social
I have an art book for #tyreecomic ! It's 62 pages at $10! Not only does it have art but I have some brief guides into my page process as well. There is even stuff I havent released publicly in it! It's a great way to support me currently and get a glimpse into my obsession

ko-fi.com/s/f5c5cebbd6
Tyree art book cover featuring various drawings and sketches of the main trio Art book page featuring Chicahua and Cuicatl. Dialog reads: Cuicatl is the name of Chi's deer. He's a complete bastard to everyone but Chi. He is well known among the nobles for being the deer that bit the king on the ass. He loves Chi and only Chi. Tletl's art page featuring various drawings and a sketch of her. Text reads: Tletl is the enteral lit flame of Kopitl. The ADHD daughter of the Sun. Her hair moves like fire. Meztli's page from the art book. Text reads: Meztli, the mood goddess, is viktor's mother. xei calls viktor "Little rabbit" because of Meztli's affinity for rabbits. Her vitiligo changes with phases of the moon. She keeps a rabbit charm that maurice had made for her.
May 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM