Zel Howland
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deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
Zel Howland
@deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
690 followers 690 following 350 posts
They/them. Posting my horror and fantasy art, fiction, and embroidery. Chronically ill and grumpy about it.

Find my published short stories here: https://duckprintspress.com/about-duck-prints-press/creators-we-work-with/author-zel-howland/
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deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
Zel Howland @deathbycoldopen.bsky.social · Mar 31
Happy #transdayofvisibility! If you want to support a disabled trans artist, check out my ko-fi!

ko-fi.com/zelhowland
A digital painting of a woman luxuriously lounging on a chaise, glancing toward the viewer. She wears a fashionable but skimpy white chiffon outfit that is splattered with blood, and holds in her hand a heavy gold chain that matches her jewelry. The chain leads behind her in the shadows, connected to the collar of an elephant-sized wolf looming in the darkness. The wolf is snarling with blood and viscera dripping from its mouth, ready to pounce, and in the foreground a hand reaches out as if the viewer themself is begging to be spared. An embroidery hoop featuring a full coverage thread painting portrait of a young black trans person. They are backlit by vibrant blue and red light as they hug themselves with a soft smile. They are shirtless, and their top surgery scars glow with metallic blue thread. A digital painting of a dark forest. A woman, pale with white hair and lightning-like marks glowing on her skin, kneels at the center of the image. Her hands are pressed against the roots of a nearby tree, and from them burst frost and spikes of glowing ice. The ice races up the tree to coat the leaves, many of which are now dead and falling, in contrast to the greenery around them. Two squirrels and a deer flee from her, and a rook leaps from the branch, barely avoiding being frozen in place. The woman smiles beatifically at her work. An embroidery hoop featuring a thread painting of a young woman kneeling on a floor made of black ooze. Dozens of red hands emerge from the ooze to grasp at her, forcing her to arch her back painfully. Despite that, her heart appears to be glowing in her chest, and her outstretched hand emits a burst of light that illuminates the scene.
Reposted by Zel Howland
deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
The Cave of Ten Thousand Gods

#art #tgcf #HeavenOfficial’sBlessing #HuaCheng #hualian
A digital painting of Hua Cheng from Heaven Official’s Blessing, during his time carving statues in the cave of the 10,000 gods in Mount Tonglu. He sits in the lap of one of his statues, a noble-looking Xie Lian holding a sword and looking off into the distance, at ease. Hua Cheng leans back against the statue’s arm with his face turned longingly toward Xie Lian’s. Hua Cheng’s empty right eye socket is on full display, bruised and still bleeding. The statue is slightly larger than life, making Hua Cheng look young and small in its cold embrace.
October 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
The Cave of Ten Thousand Gods

#art #tgcf #HeavenOfficial’sBlessing #HuaCheng #hualian
A digital painting of Hua Cheng from Heaven Official’s Blessing, during his time carving statues in the cave of the 10,000 gods in Mount Tonglu. He sits in the lap of one of his statues, a noble-looking Xie Lian holding a sword and looking off into the distance, at ease. Hua Cheng leans back against the statue’s arm with his face turned longingly toward Xie Lian’s. Hua Cheng’s empty right eye socket is on full display, bruised and still bleeding. The statue is slightly larger than life, making Hua Cheng look young and small in its cold embrace.
October 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
aimeecozza.com
Just a couple of drawings of dancing men

#Art #Ballet #Ballerino #Dance
Black and white charcoal and graphite sketch of a chiseled man wearing black pants leaping and bending over backwards as he dances. Black and white pencil drawing of a topless man leaning against a wall, one leg extended outward.
September 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
A coin for the ferryman.

#embroidery #threadpainting
A photo of a small embroidery hoop with a thread painting depicting a close up of a person’s right eye and eyebrow with a large gold coin in place of an iris and pupil.
September 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
shade-of-stars.bsky.social
Some day we'll become just another layer of fossils
Digital painting. An old human skeleton lying on the ground, some parts of it are buried or broken, it resembles a fossil. The ground under it is a stone with a lot of ammonites in it, they are different in size and color, some are iridescent.
August 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
duckprintspress.com
We're currently $29/month in backing from my being able to give our authors and artists a raise on pieces they make for Patreon.

That's only 10 people backing at the $3/month level, or 6 at the $5, or 3 at the $10. That's like. hardly any people at all!

So please help by sharing this. <3
duckprintspress.com unforth | Claire Houck | Duck Prints Press @duckprintspress.com · Sep 1
Duck Prints Press, indie publisher founded by fancreators to help fancreators publish their original LGBTQIA+ work, needs YOU! 🫵

Seeking: new backers for our Patreon! People who boost our post about it a chance to win a book! Learn all the many details on our webpage: tinyurl.com/mus57v48

🌈📚
📚💙
Graphic with a pale blue background. It features a white duck looking with a smirk toward the viewer, his winges spread behind him; the wings have a rainbow gradient. Text on the gaphic reads "Support Duck Prints Press on Patreon, Receive a Backer Exclusive Freebie or any merch item up to $5." A graphic over a pale blue background. It says "Spread the word!" with a heart and a share symbol below that, then the words "to enter the giveaway." Below that is the art from the front cover of the book "Add Magic to Taste," showing a dragon brewing a potion, beside which is the text "of a print copy of our first anthology Add Magic to Taste."
September 9, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
hirokotakahashi.bsky.social
「幽谷_吽」
2025年制作
P10 (縦 530mm × 横 455mm)
アクリル、キャンバス

2025年7月に札幌のギャラリー犬養で開催した個展での一枚。そういえば背景に月食を描いたのだった。
#高橋弘子
www.hirokotakahashi.art/product-page...
September 8, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
duckprintspress.com
Meet @deathbycoldopen.bsky.social ! This artwork, CHRYSOPOEIA, ties in to Howland's story of the same name, and is January in our 2026 calendar and available as an art print! You can learn more about the project and pre-order your calendar and art here: duckprintspress.com/2025/09/04/a...
Artwork of two women on the ground of a cave, surrounded by glowing orange candles. One is ghostly white, her knees tucked up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them, wearing a tattered dress. Her long hair tumbles over her face. The other is put-together with her hair in a high-bun, wearing a pink-purple long-sleeved dress that is spattered with blood. The second woman has an arm around the spectral woman's shoulders and is drawing the veil of hair away from her face. The first woman is looking away from the second woman; the second woman watches the first woman, her face not pointing toward the viewer in the intensity of her regard.
September 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
duckprintspress.com
Duck Prints Press, indie publisher founded by fancreators to help fancreators publish their original LGBTQIA+ work, needs YOU! 🫵

Seeking: new backers for our Patreon! People who boost our post about it a chance to win a book! Learn all the many details on our webpage: tinyurl.com/mus57v48

🌈📚
📚💙
Graphic with a pale blue background. It features a white duck looking with a smirk toward the viewer, his winges spread behind him; the wings have a rainbow gradient. Text on the gaphic reads "Support Duck Prints Press on Patreon, Receive a Backer Exclusive Freebie or any merch item up to $5." A graphic over a pale blue background. It says "Spread the word!" with a heart and a share symbol below that, then the words "to enter the giveaway." Below that is the art from the front cover of the book "Add Magic to Taste," showing a dragon brewing a potion, beside which is the text "of a print copy of our first anthology Add Magic to Taste."
September 1, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
vetozomer.bsky.social
"The Dagger" is the minor deity of murder. She revels in the thrill and ecstasy of murder and loves impulsive killings as much as planned masterful murders.

This illustration allowed me to play with expressions and get back to working with darker themes, which I love.

Reposts are appreciated! ✨
A woman in dark leather armor with rivets and straps looms over her victim in a dimly lit stone hall. She grips a bloodied dagger in one hand and holds her opponent’s hair with the other, forcing their head down. Her face is streaked with blood, and she smiles with a cruel, triumphant expression. Behind her, cloaked figures stand in shadow, while the blood moon glows red through an archway, casting an ominous light.
September 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
abigaillarson.com
The last card for the Vampire's Tarot has been turned in. 78 illustrations completed this year for my fifth and final tarot deck.

My wrist hurts ⚰️

Hopefully I'll soon have news from the publisher about release dates, so stay tuned
the "Death" card from the upcoming Vampire's Tarot from Llewellyn Publishing. Image depicts a female Death kissing a woman kneeling on a tomb in an overgrow cemetery.
August 31, 2025 at 11:56 PM
deathbycoldopen.bsky.social
Ship-Sinking Black Water

#tgcf #darkart #HeavenOfficial’sBlessing #mxtx

(gore cw)
A digital painting of Black Water/He Xuan from Heaven Official's Blessing. He stands on still waters, backlit by an eerie setting sun, with his head tilted at an unnatural angle. He holds Shi Wudu's decapitated head in one hand by the hair, and is covered in blood spatter. Much of his face is hidden by his hair, but a single, uncannily wide and round eye stares directly at the viewer.
August 29, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
zookie-art.bsky.social
New art? New art! Meet Dracotempus, a god-like being of the stars - commissioned by @vulpecula0714.bsky.social
Digital illustration of a dragon in the stars. The body of the dragon is long and sinuous, appearing almost as if it is created from the galaxies around it as it twists through the sky. It's head rears back and behind it is a spiral galaxy, nestled between two long horns. The two front arms pull a thread of glowing magic from the galaxy.
August 25, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
karrahe.bsky.social
I love them 🥲

Been chipping away at this one for a while! #DoctorWho #fanart #DoctorDonna
A stylised portrait of David Tennant as The Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna. They are clinched close, both looking alarmed towards something offscreen to the right of the image. The background is a starry sky.
August 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
mxmorgan.com
Queen of Swords
Digital (Procreate), 2025

Part of my solo show SWORD DANCE opening @pushpullseattle.bsky.social September 13th. RSVP for the opening reception here: www.simpletix.com/e/opening-re...
A wolf running and howling. along her body rests a full moon in her chest and stars scattered on her torso. between her front legs is a sword. venous red vines wrap loosely around her, except above her head where they are seemingly broken by her howl
August 29, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reposted by Zel Howland
jolynegarcia.bsky.social
The Boy Savior

early version of this piece that I still like quite a lot #Arcane
Ekko from Arcane flies through the sky above Piltover, behind him you can see colorful firefly wings form out of pure arcane energy.
August 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
dudkaart.bsky.social
artists, qrp with your favorite portrait you've drawn! 👁️

It'll take me a lot of luck or time to beat this one
August 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
artbyemilytull.bsky.social
Swallow Fledglings
Hand embroidery thread painting artwork.
#birds #WildlifeArt #embroidery
A tab brown fabric background with two diagonal strips of white netting. In front/ on top is five hand embroidered swallow fledglings leaning out of the nest. On the left, mid way down is an artist copyright logo
August 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Reposted by Zel Howland
saltmalk.in
awooooooo wolf study
August 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
duckprintspress.com
Very excited to share our next project: a 2026 calendar featuring 12 months of queer art! Features artwork originally made for our Patrons between Aug 24 and July 25 – 12 pieces by 9 artists! Art works are also available as art prints. Learn more our campaign page duckprintspress.com/2026-queer-a...
Mock-up graphic showing a calendar on a blue background. The image shows two women side by side, one white with blonde hair wearing a leather jacket reaching out to cup the cheek of the other, who is white, dark-haired, blushing, and has her arms crossed over her chest. Below this is a page that says April 2026 and shows a calendar set-up for Sunday-through-Saturday weeks. Queer events are shown on the calendar. Behind this mock-up, part of a second mock-up peeks out. Next beside the mock-up reads "Duck Prints Press Presents 2026 Art Calendar
August 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
skulkingfoxes.bsky.social
The Sleepwalker and his Nightmare
A red and black illustrations where a man in a nightgown is kissing a man with trails of smoke for a face. They float over a field of poppies
August 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
patsux.bsky.social
fairies 🦋
Digital painting of a fairy with giant blue morpho butterfly wings and a faint halo, holding a lantern that attracts butterflies. Digital painting of a deer centaur. He has long snow white hair that drapes over his chest, goatee, and a pair of velvety black antlers with a blue-ish sheen. His centaur body is of a black stag with a white belly. and white spots sprayed across its back. On its back is also a pair of medium sized butterfly wings with blue markings and coloration. He is wielding a staff that's seemingly made of gnarled organic material, perhaps wood, and on its end is a pair of reptilian hands, holding a white crystal ball. There is a flurry of black and blue butterflies swirling around him. Digital painting of a centaur with unicorn horn on his forehead, and big butterfly wings. He has elegant hair and tail that is flowing in the wind.
August 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
lilblueorchid.bsky.social
Overgrown 🌱
Illustration of a slightly top view of two legs standing in a spot of light in a field of wild grass with white small white flowers. The flowers are growing over the legs, climbing around the white tight and tearing it in some place, scratching the skin underneath in some places.
August 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Zel Howland
zookie-art.bsky.social
One of the funny things about working on book art is that I often don't get to read the book before I paint for it.

I'm just now finally reading The Raven Scholar (which I painted this art for last year for a special edition) and LOVING it!
August 22, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Reposted by Zel Howland
gingerhaze.bsky.social
“Don’t look down. Just look at me.”
August 20, 2025 at 3:50 AM