Erik Squarebear
@erik-squarebear.bsky.social
Artist and maker sometimes known as Erik Niells. Cartoonist. Based in Austin, TX, I love animation, board games, classic jazz, and more cerebral horror movies. Find me at https://squarebearstudio.com
I think @badmachinery.com nailed our current situation with this insight.
January 11, 2026 at 5:08 PM
I think @badmachinery.com nailed our current situation with this insight.
To remind myself that this is just a pause and not the end, I looked to Project Semicolon and got a tattoo. Being me, I turned it into a dog, because if I’m doing something permanent it needs to have my personality. #projectsemicolon
January 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
To remind myself that this is just a pause and not the end, I looked to Project Semicolon and got a tattoo. Being me, I turned it into a dog, because if I’m doing something permanent it needs to have my personality. #projectsemicolon
I’ve done two rounds of Dog a Day in 2008 and 2020. I don’t see me, in my current mindset, taking it on in 2026 but who knows? So, a quick sketch of Riley in Churchill mode, jowly and sleeping with her head up.
January 1, 2026 at 2:13 PM
I’ve done two rounds of Dog a Day in 2008 and 2020. I don’t see me, in my current mindset, taking it on in 2026 but who knows? So, a quick sketch of Riley in Churchill mode, jowly and sleeping with her head up.
We only order things when we want some free pet photos.
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 PM
We only order things when we want some free pet photos.
11 to 5 today at Dragon’s Lair Austin, come see me and other local artists for the best geek gifts for your holiday shopping.
December 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
11 to 5 today at Dragon’s Lair Austin, come see me and other local artists for the best geek gifts for your holiday shopping.
It’s now hard to watch Rudolph because Santa is so terrible. Banishing misfit toys and making it clear that no “different” reindeer stands a chance in his outfit (until he actually needs them).
December 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
It’s now hard to watch Rudolph because Santa is so terrible. Banishing misfit toys and making it clear that no “different” reindeer stands a chance in his outfit (until he actually needs them).
Rereading the Watch books from Discworld and remembering why they should be even more widely read…
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Rereading the Watch books from Discworld and remembering why they should be even more widely read…
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16? (I think I win this one)
November 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16? (I think I win this one)
One positive to getting a senior dog out before sunrise is meeting your more reclusive neighbors. This little guy was very interested in us this morning at 5. #urbanfox
October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
One positive to getting a senior dog out before sunrise is meeting your more reclusive neighbors. This little guy was very interested in us this morning at 5. #urbanfox
My assistant Teddy spends the autumn evenings with ghost stories and my Quoth the Raven lantern. You can join him by getting your own lantern today (and Teddy is happy to provide a reading list).
October 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
My assistant Teddy spends the autumn evenings with ghost stories and my Quoth the Raven lantern. You can join him by getting your own lantern today (and Teddy is happy to provide a reading list).
My wife does tea parties and tea blending events… so I took it on myself to come up with a seasonal blend for her to create. I actually get hives when I hear anything written
by Stephen Schwartz, but I live for the bad pun. #art #procreate
by Stephen Schwartz, but I live for the bad pun. #art #procreate
September 17, 2025 at 12:49 AM
My wife does tea parties and tea blending events… so I took it on myself to come up with a seasonal blend for her to create. I actually get hives when I hear anything written
by Stephen Schwartz, but I live for the bad pun. #art #procreate
by Stephen Schwartz, but I live for the bad pun. #art #procreate
This is Steve. Steve has learned we have AC. He wants some of that. So Steve makes sure we know he is right outside our front door and coming in hot.
August 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
This is Steve. Steve has learned we have AC. He wants some of that. So Steve makes sure we know he is right outside our front door and coming in hot.
For three minutes and change of joy you must experience Kirsty MacColl’s They Don’t Know. It was all there from the start… her self overdub harmonies, the absolute wall of sound that this achieved. The Tracy Ullman cover Americans know is a pale reflection. Except for the “baby”, that’s still Kirsty
August 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
For three minutes and change of joy you must experience Kirsty MacColl’s They Don’t Know. It was all there from the start… her self overdub harmonies, the absolute wall of sound that this achieved. The Tracy Ullman cover Americans know is a pale reflection. Except for the “baby”, that’s still Kirsty
Always surround yourself with people more attractive than yourself, that’s my philosophy. #carolinadog
August 4, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Always surround yourself with people more attractive than yourself, that’s my philosophy. #carolinadog
Plus ça change…
July 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Plus ça change…
Working on some smaller lanterns, used with LED tea lights instead of plug in. Here’s 1 of 2 inspired by #demonslayer, still sourcing a bright but longer lasting light to match.
July 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Working on some smaller lanterns, used with LED tea lights instead of plug in. Here’s 1 of 2 inspired by #demonslayer, still sourcing a bright but longer lasting light to match.
The dog, being one of seniority, gets out at a very early hour. One benefit is the nature. Today, on our own fence, we spotted an owl. We’ve heard him, but this is our first sighting. There’s a sense of wonder in such moments.
July 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The dog, being one of seniority, gets out at a very early hour. One benefit is the nature. Today, on our own fence, we spotted an owl. We’ve heard him, but this is our first sighting. There’s a sense of wonder in such moments.
My most film noir photo… Riley the Carolina Dog/Shar-pei/whatever and Rosie the Golden. #carolinadog #blackandwhite
July 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
My most film noir photo… Riley the Carolina Dog/Shar-pei/whatever and Rosie the Golden. #carolinadog #blackandwhite
There is only one way now for me to offer my otter pun wizard design a donation to Trans Lifeline with every purchase and a two finger hook salute to Joanne and her hateful philosophy destroying a once beloved series. squarebear.threadless.com/designs/harr...
June 24, 2025 at 1:17 AM
There is only one way now for me to offer my otter pun wizard design a donation to Trans Lifeline with every purchase and a two finger hook salute to Joanne and her hateful philosophy destroying a once beloved series. squarebear.threadless.com/designs/harr...
Everything is on sale at my Threadless shop, so head over for otters and foxes and bears, oh my… the extra soft is a total steal. squarebear.threadless.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Everything is on sale at my Threadless shop, so head over for otters and foxes and bears, oh my… the extra soft is a total steal. squarebear.threadless.com
Teddy was gifted a SoonerCon toy. As you can tell,he’s delighted that it too is orange. Last day, come see us. #soonercon
June 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Teddy was gifted a SoonerCon toy. As you can tell,he’s delighted that it too is orange. Last day, come see us. #soonercon
Day two at @soonercon.com and can it be better than Friday? That’s a high bar, but we can do it. Come see me and Teddy the Orange Utan, don’t forget to ask for a Teddy high five. #artistalley # #dutchangle
June 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Day two at @soonercon.com and can it be better than Friday? That’s a high bar, but we can do it. Come see me and Teddy the Orange Utan, don’t forget to ask for a Teddy high five. #artistalley # #dutchangle