It’s been a minute! I’ll be back with a Fall newsletter, but in the meantime, I wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Halloween! My favorite time of the year.

October has always been my favorite month (shocking, right?) I love everything about spooky season. The weather, the clothing, the food, the music; in fact, here’s a haunting ambient playlist to set the tone.

My Nosferatu character got the chance to spend an October Sunday haunting Governor’s Island for FilmShop’s Toon Gulch series, where we screened Nosferatu: In The Beginning.

Tim & I watch a lot of horror year-round, but 2025 has brought some especially strong horror releases. Bring Her Back might be my favorite so far. You can check out my Letterboxd if you’d like to swap favorites or see what’s been on my watchlist.

I’ll be back soon with some updates + a fall film fest roundup, including the Oscar-qualifying Woodstock Film Fest.

Until then, stay spooky!

🖤, A

Sparrow House will be a quarterly newsletter, giving each season the space to unfold. I’m excited to reconnect and share what’s been inspiring me lately.

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January began with the heartbreaking loss of the legendary David Lynch. I don’t often dwell on celebrity passings, but like many artists, weirdos, and cinephiles, this one hit hard. Losing someone so full of magic—especially just a week before life in the U.S. took a drastic political turn—felt especially devastating.

“I don't think of death as the end. I think life is an ongoing process, and death is just a change in consciousness.” —David Lynch

My first experience with Lynch was Fire Walk with Me, the 1992 prequel to Twin Peaks, before I had seen the TV show. I had fond memories of Twin Peaks from when my cousin first told me she was watching it—we had stumbled upon Who Killed Laura Palmer? signs in a downtown Manhattan bookstore, and I was intrigued. Years later, I finally immersed myself in the series and could truly appreciate it, even though the prequel had already revealed the killer. Eventually, I got to experience The Return (2017) in real-time, making up for having missed the original run.

Since then, I’ve explored his films, books, and documentaries, hosted Twin Peaks photo parties with friends, and even costume Zoom calls during quarantine. His work is incredible, but for me, it’s Lynch himself who stands out—I deeply admire his unwavering respect for the art life.

“There's so much darkness, and there's so much room to dream.” —David Lynch

Inspired by David Lynch’s artistic life—and my own apprehension about the future—I’ve felt moved to take action. One big change has been relocating my workspace. After over 4 years of sharing an office with Tim (and 15 years in our previous homes), I’ve finally carved out a solitary art studio. Now, tucked into a basement nook, it’s just me down here—even Fluff prefers the upstairs kitchen, where his dream of endless chicken has more potential to come true. I miss having a window, but there’s nothing quite like having room to dream.

ROOM TO DREAM

The challenge of moving to the basement nook was knowing I’d be giving up natural light—a significant sacrifice in an apartment already lacking windows. The bedroom is on the other side, without a door, and next to my work nook are home storage, cleaning supplies, laundry, and an overstock of toilet paper. The space isn’t perfect, but the truth is, it’s actually working. After a rocky start to the year, I’m making serious headway on my goals. I’ve given up on design beauty and focused instead on getting things done.

I don’t think I’ve had a creative space to myself in nearly two decades. My workspace has always had to double (or even triple) as something else—often a communal area—while Tim and I worked side by side, or back to back, in previous setups. Each space has been beautiful in its own way, but I never truly acknowledged my need for complete solitude when creating. It’s become vital to my process.

CATCHING THE BIG FISH

Having a room of one’s own is ideal—and important—but it shouldn’t dictate whether you capture ideas. Even in chaos or when time is scarce, keeping track of them is crucial. Back when I worked at Borders, I’d scribble ideas on discarded receipts, thinking of it as a butterfly net for the future. David Lynch, on the other hand, compared it to catching a big fish, as he explores in Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity (2007).

"If you get an idea that's thrilling to you, put your attention on it and these other fish will swim into it." —David Lynch

I love hearing about other artists’ creative processes—the mundane, the quirky, and everything in between. One common thread is that every artist, in some way, relies on a routine. From time to time, I revisit Mason Currey’s books on audio while I draw, fascinated by the creative rituals of artists, writers, and musicians. I especially admire how much solitude Octavia Butler needed to get her work done. And she was a GENIUS, so there you go.

One reason David Lynch: The Art Life (2016) is a favorite of mine is its glimpse into his quirky artistic habits—long hours alone in his studio (oh, how I relate) and stretches of eating the same meals: tuna on lettuce for lunch; chicken and broccoli for dinner.

While I love variety, the working artist in me understands the comfort of simplicity—freeing the mind to focus on creativity rather than dinner plans. Daily Rituals revealed similar routines: Freud’s wife even put toothpaste on his brush for him, while Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) famously lived on oysters, grapes, and champagne.

I tried the Lynchian lunch myself—swapping tuna for chickpeas since I’m vegetarian—and it was delicious! But it didn’t feel like a go-to for me. So, in the spirit of Lynchian inspiration, I asked myself: what lunch would be The Andrea?

What would your Lynchian-style lunch be?

Leave a comment

HIGHLIGHTS

• 📣✨ EXCITING NEWS! ✨📣
  I’m thrilled to share that I am now represented by Chelsea Hensley at Mad Woman Literary!!! I will focus on publishing-centric illustration and can’t wait for what’s ahead. I’ll be posting a new KidLit postcard to celebrate next week, but in the meantime, you can have a look at my updated portfolio.

  

• 🏆✨ AWARD WINNER✨🏆
  Our animated short Mistletoe had an incredible year in 2024 and an exciting start to 2025! It premiered at the Midsummer Scream: Halloween & Horror Convention in California this past July and has since garnered 1 award, 3 nominations, and selections at 7 national festivals.

  

  This experience has opened doors to new opportunities, a creative partnership, a lasting friendship, and a growing interest in collaborating on more horror shorts! We’re gearing up to work on our follow-up film in the second quarter.

• 🎬✨ NOSFERATU GOES TO THE MOVIES✨🎬
  Robert Eggers' Nosferatu hit the big screen on Christmas Day 2024. When I first heard about it, I didn’t have high hopes, but my excitement grew after seeing the trailer (and I’m usually not one to watch trailers). For me, it lived up to the hype—I enjoyed it. However, when I sent our favorite animated pal Nosf to the theater to see it, he did not share the same sentiment. He’s got some thoughts to share in this mini-animation. Have a watch:

• Over the summer, we took a family vacation to Sunset Beach in North Carolina, only to return early due to hurricane weather and evacuations. Despite that, we managed to squeeze in some family time indoors, where we made Ouija boards and “hunted ghosts” with my niece. I also had the chance to screen Mistletoe (2024) for Tim’s family, along with Nosferatu: In The Beginning (2019), and my then 8-year-old niece loved both! She immediately started drawing her own version of Nosferatu, which will proudly live on my fridge forever.

  

• 🎶✨ MUSIC 🎶✨
  Every year, Spotify Wrapped confirms what I already know: my most-listened-to band is Lord Huron. But in 2024, it broke this years-long streak, introducing a breakout band of last year: Ruen Brothers. I first discovered them in a playlist, and they quickly became one of my favorites. Although their album Ten Paces was released in June 2023, it was new to me, and the lyrics that first drew me in:

  “Comfy in my bed
  Like a coffin in the ground
  Bury me deep,
  Six-feet down”

I know from interviews that they’re big fans of Roy Orbison, someone I listen to regularly. I love a crooner, and to me, In Dreams is one of the best songs ever written—something that David Lynch, the Ruen Brothers, and I all share in common. Shades of Blue might be their most Orbison—and oh, how I adore Henry’s voice belting and crooning in that track. Swoon. But this is my all-time favorite lyric of theirs:

• 🎶 FREE PLAYLIST 🎶
  I’ve put together a Spotify playlist mix for you! It’s a collection of songs from Fall/Winter—and it’s a good one. Over 2 hours of music for your listening pleasure:

• Recommended by David Lynch, I’m reading The Art Spirit by Robert Henri. Other books that have been helpful this year include: The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy by Anand Giridharadas, as well as The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control by Steven Hassan—which has been instrumental in helping me navigate my political anger.

• Our friend Vicki from Providence, RI, stayed with us in Brooklyn at the end of February. We visited galleries, explored art, and reconnected after our last trip to Rhode Island in August. She brings out my extroverted side—something I hadn’t realized I needed so much! Check out her book, the first in a three-part series: Selene Shade, Resurrectionist for Hire by Victoria Dalpe.

  

• Once we had finished grieving the loss of our window (due to construction beyond our control), we decided to make the best of it by projecting windows in its place. It's been an atmospheric game-changer.

  

After the inauguration, I was feeling highly anxious, depressed, and trying to make sense of it all, so I revisited the Star Wars trilogy (brushing up on ‘The Dark Side’), and have been returning to Lynch’s films after his passing. I’m keeping track of my watches this year on Letterbox if you feel inclined to check it out or share recommendations.

"I'm wearing dark glasses today because I'm seeing the future, and it's looking very bright.”

Until next time, may you find moments of peace out there. Even in the chaos of life, small pockets of joy exist. Wishing you calm through it all.

🖤, A

Happy Halloween, you lovely misfit weirdos! I love sharing new Nosferatu pieces and I’ve been working on a fun one for this spooky holiday. Earlier this year I storyboarded Nosferatu at a dance club surrounded by other monsters—and inevitably gets trampled on:

One of my favorite jokes is how things always go wrong for Nosfy. My title A Lifetime of Horror is a twist on A Symphony of Horror to demonstrate this. Lately, though, I’ve also been exploring the idea of misfits finding each other—because so much of our strength comes from the camaraderie of our fellow weirdos.

This year I’ve been (extra) drawn to misfits and outcasts, but with a focus on their resilience in defying the norm. As someone who painfully never fit in, it took me a long time to understand the great strength of being different—it will transform like magic once you finally see it, going from pain to gold.

Nosferatu Goes to the Club

Animation takes so much time, and since the art was coming out pretty good, I decided not to rush the new short and share the process with you instead. Substack will only allow 9 images per gallery, so I had to split it up for the sake of this post:

CASTING CALL: Here’s Where YOU Come in

I need extras in the background of this animated short!

Since “Nosferatu Goes to the Club” is still a work in progress, I thought it would be fun to ask for help picking monsters you would like to see at this “Club Haunted House.” Comment below with a monster you would like to see, and if they end up in the animation I will tag/credit you when it’s posted. What monster or horror icon would you like to see at the club? On the line to get in, drinking, dancing, howling…

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Despite him being a loner, I wanted Nosferatu to meet some female vampires to open up his world a bit more. I have a longer piece in mind “Nosferatu Needs a Roommate” that may end up being something I submit to film fests in the future. I have it storyboarded and there’s a joke in there that makes me laugh every time I think of it—I’m dying to share. More on that to come!

I hope you enjoy this deliciously spooky season! I will return in November with Fall highlights.

🖤, A

📣 Seeking Literary Agent 📣

I'm excited to share that I'm seeking artist representation! I have never had an agent before, so this is all new for me. The first Thursday of every month is #KidLitArt Postcard Day, and to kick things off on October 3, I created my first piece, inspired by a real-life story.

I’ve developed a deep fascination with crows and stumbled upon a 2015 BBC News story titled The Girl Who Gets Gifts From Birds. It's about an 8-year-old named Gabi who began feeding crows, and in return, they brought her small gifts. Mostly, it's fragments of broken things, but one of her most cherished treasures is half of a best-friend heart charm. Gabi liked to imagine one of the crows held onto the other half.

“They are the prettiest and represent the friendship and love.” —Gabi Mann, Friend of Birds, Cricket Magazine, 2019.

In my research, I wondered if Gabi would grow up to become a scientist, which led me to my other fantastic crow discovery: Simona Kossak, a Polish biologist, ecologist, and professor of forest sciences. Simona is who I imagine Gabi will become later in life.

Kossak is known for her efforts to preserve the remnants of natural ecosystems in Poland. Her work dealt with, among other things, the behavioral ecology of mammals. She sometimes referred to herself as a "zoo-psychologist." (src)

I discovered Simona just in time—there's a Polish film about her, Simona Kossak (2024), coming out this November. I'm really excited to see it, though I haven't quite figured out how to watch it here in the States yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an English-subtitled release. Check out the trailer; it looks so cool!

My journey with picture books began behind the scenes. From 2018 to 2021, I worked as a freelance graphic designer for Macmillan, gaining first-hand experience in how picture books are created from start to finish. One of my favorite projects was laying out Art Is Life: The Life of Artist Keith Haring by Tami Lewis Brown.

The handlettering you see below is my work, marking my first designer credit in a picture book. It was art directed by Jen Keenan, and the result is truly beautiful. I highly recommend checking it out!

My portfolio is evolving, and I'm excited to share new projects as I delve further into children's literature. I specialize in historical fiction featuring strong female leads, and anthropomorphic animals. I love to blend a traditional style with a modern aesthetic, featuring a vibrant color palette, playful humor, and a touch of the macabre.

Join me next week for some horror recaps & spooky art treats—just in time for Halloween!

🖤, A

Hello! The weather is getting increasingly cooler, reminding me that Halloween is on its way. A fact that is also supported by every meme on my Instagram feed. While I’m working on the Fall 2024 newsletter, I wanted to pop in and share a bit of Beetlejuice fun!

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The Ghost with the Most, Babe

Do you remember where you first saw Beetlejuice (1988)?

I can’t remember my first viewing. It was PG-13, and since I was around 10 years old, chances are high that my first watch would be on cable. It was on HBO all the time. I loooved Beetlejuice and watched it over & over. Tim Burton was still five years away from the film release of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), the concept of his that left the biggest impression on me growing up. Like many Gen X kids, I watched The Shining (1980) way too young, but I was fascinated by how deeply it scared me—my reactions were so visceral! Like a carnival ride that you both love and hate simultaneously. That might have been the moment my interest in horror was born. Then there was Poltergeist (1982), which was always on cable. I loved watching it, but the face-tearing scene terrified me—which looks super fake today—but it scared me so much that I timed it perfectly to look away just before it happened. I recreated my childhood living room with Poltergeist on the TV:

On a recent rewatch of Beetlejuice—still on HBO (Max) after all these years—I found I still knew every line, every beat. In my youth, I had the soundtrack on cassette and played it to death. Danny Elfman, a frequent collaborator with Burton, creates incredible scores that take the movies to another level. This week I’ve been replaying The Beetlejuice soundtrack on Spotify and the main title song is just SO DAMN GOOD:

Smells Like Teen Spirit

I've called Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) the "Barbie movie for freaks." Even though I still have not seen Barbie (2023), I had a very Barbie-influenced childhood. I used to play Barbies with my neighbor, even though most kids had moved on from dolls by then. Whenever our nude plastic Barbies were about to engage in some—ah hem—adult scenarios with Ken, we would have our cover ready and it became a longstanding joke: “We’ll tell them we were watching Beetlejuice!” Oddly for me, Barbies and Beetlejuice just go together.

Tim Burton’s films are recognizable for their unique art style: macabre color palettes, claymation, stop-motion, quirky humor, memorable music, and weird & wonderful characters. Michael Keaton, who plays Beetlejuice in both films, is a delight and he’s my favorite Batman (also directed by Tim Burton in 1989). Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) was huge when I was a kid. While Pee-wee wasn’t my personal favorite, I loved the Large Marge scene—her ghost story was the highlight for me! I remember a younger neighbor who found the Large Marge scene too scary to watch, and I’d roll my eyes and say, “It’s just clay!” Meanwhile, I was terrified of the face-peeling scene in Poltergeist. We all had our childhood fears.

.What movie or scene terrified you as a kid that seems silly to you now?

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Winona, Forever

I always loved Winona Ryder. Many people know her from Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Dracula, Reality Bites, etc. She was a Genx alternative queen walking amongst the Hollywood regulars. My weird-girl style icon. Swoon. I loved that she was a great actress but a little shy when it came to the public eye. She eventually discussed how she struggled with anxiety & depression at the height of her career. Despite Winona being a household name, the movie I truly fell in love with was a weird, lesser-known film called Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990).

It was hard to find a truly authentic portrayal of an outcast teen back then. Sure, there were tropes and attempts, but nothing captured the real sense of alienation I felt growing up. In Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Winona Ryder’s character was hated by her peers, her only friends were animals—dogs, goats, pigs, turtles. She RIT dyed her sweaters black and painted over her childhood bedroom. My mother insisted we paint my bedroom pink—from walls to carpet—I eventually brought in black accessories to offset the bubblegum explosion I was expected to enjoy.

Dinky Bossetti—what a name—(played by Ryder in Roxy) didn’t fit in at all, and I’ve never related more to a character at that point in my life. Beyond the screen, real-life Winona was dating Johnny Depp, rocking Tom Waits shirts, and came across as a down-to-earth, socially awkward, but incredibly talented person. She was the ultimate '90s cool girl, and to this day, I adore her.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

For years, rumors circled about a sequel, but I remained skeptical. Remakes and reboots usually aren't my thing. So when it was officially announced that a new Beetlejuice movie was finally happening after 36 years, I could hardly believe it. I doubted it would be any good, but I still felt compelled to see it. The trailer didn’t look that bad, but for me to enjoy this type of revisit I would have to take off my critical hat, sit back, and just enjoy the ride.

I saw the 2024 sequel opening weekend. As a standalone movie, it wasn’t great. However, I laughed almost the entire time and enjoyed it more than I expected. The original is very special to me, and I went in knowing it would never compare. I have been taking a more open approach to these modern-day films—since most of them are not very good—and I’ve found that I enjoy them more when I view them purely for entertainment rather than being overly critical.

Now if I were to put on my critical hat, I’d say the sequel is a bit of a mess. Some plotlines go nowhere and lack the magic and impact of the first film. The musical number in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn’t hold a candle to the original "Day-O" sequence by Harry Belafonte, although I adore the stunning a cappella chorus revisited by The Sylvia Theatre School Choir (which you can listen to below). Despite all my love & admiration for Winona Ryder, I wasn’t suuuper impressed with her performance as Lydia Deetz this time around. However, putting criticism aside, it was a fun experience, and I can't recall the last time I laughed so hard with strangers in a movie theater like that. If you approach it as pure entertainment, you'll have a good time. It seems like they had fun making it as well!

Making Movies, Is So Fine

In different boroughs across town, two people named Andrea watched Beetlejuice on the same night in separate theaters. Excitedly, both left with the same thought: I want to make Beetlejuice. Our own Beetlejuice, of course, so let’s get cracking on the next film!

This week, our animated short “Mistletoe” was accepted into the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, which will screen in Portland, Oregon this October, and Sick Chick Flicks in late September. We are super stoked! You can watch the official “Mistletoe” trailer here.

💌 Free Downloadable Gift

For current subscribers, I will email a link & password to these exclusive illustrated Beetlejuice goodies as a thank you. Keep an eye on your inbox for the special code! New subscribers will receive a link in their welcome email. If it doesn’t appear (check your spam folder) send me a message and I'll get it to you directly. This offer is exclusively for subscribers—and signing up is free.

The freebies code will only apply until September 30, 2024. Here’s a SNEAK PEEK:

What is your relationship with Beetlejuice or Tim Burton? I would love to hear your thoughts below.

🖤, A

In the social media world, Instagram has become a major bummer. This comic from illustrator Rachal Duggan expresses it perfectly. I joined Cara to grab my artsparrow handle but have yet to do anything with it. Honestly, I'm feeling sad and jaded about social media and our rights & privacy with all the AI training happening. I don't know what the future holds for us. There's only one thing I know for sure: I love making art. I need to share it because it's part of my existential human experience. I must make things.

Speaking of making things, Andrea Schmitz and I are plotting our next horror short. Partnering with Andrea has allowed me to dream of bigger projects. This new piece tackles the subject of obsession and will include body horror. But first…

📣 Exciting News 📣

Our animated short "Mistletoe" has been accepted into its first horror fest! Andrea has previously earned laurels for her film "Thirst"—13+ of them—"Mistletoe" will be my first, and I'm excited. Andrea texted me the great news as I headed home from Denver, Colorado. I'm in the middle of boarding traffic, grumbling about not wanting to fly for a while, and she texts, "Pack your bags; we're going to Cali!"

“Mistletoe” will premiere at the Midsummer Scream Halloween & Horror Convention in Long Beach, California. It has also been accepted into the 2025 Triborough Film Fest. After premiering this year at various festivals, we'll release the short on Vimeo and share the link with everyone. Stay tuned!

Since my last newsletter, the months have been filled with familial events: my late mother's birthday, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. Over the years, I've spent a lot of time thinking and talking (cough, therapy) about how I am different from my parents. So, I wanted to take a moment to highlight things we have in common.

Mother!

I have been reflecting on how my mother and I were alike in some ways. Both of us are Aries women—quirky, feisty, and fiery. My mom had a very generous spirit, sometimes to her detriment, as always she put others' needs before hers. Luckily, I've been able to work on this by eliminating the people-pleaser gene over time (it's a process). The most precious trait I got from my mother is her humor. Growing up, I loved making people laugh (I still do), and mom was my best audience. I inherited her silly gene—and silly she was!

After my mom’s passing in 2008, to commemorate her 10th anniversary in 2018, I illustrated her childhood railroad apartment in Brooklyn, one of my favorite stories, especially because it included my uncle knowing at nine years old that he would become a funeral director. I was–and still am, quite frankly–absolutely in awe that any child can know they wanted to be a mortician and then go and become one.

Mother, Creator

I don't have kids. I know creation energy only through art. I've treated projects like my children, raising them until they are ready to enter the world. It's not the same as being a mother to humans—or a mother of dragons—but I see creation as “mother energy.”

This energy is much more than mothering children – it is about bringing ideas and thoughts to birth and nurturing that creation into flourishing growth and development.

The Greek goddess Demeter is the archetypal mother: creator and destroyer; ruling the earth, fertility and agriculture. She gives birth to new ideas, businesses, children and crafts. She nurtures her creation tenderly and breathes life into it. She is a teacher, guiding and directing her creation. She provides healing, and sustains and protects her creation from being destroyed by others. (src)

Books, records, films—we nurture these works, dedicating time and energy, often sacrificing sleep and our social lives. I have chosen a life devoted to making art. I highly commend those who juggle parenthood too!

Growing up, I wasn't sure about motherhood, but I always dreamed of having a cat. Because of my brother's severe allergies, I had to wait until my 20s to finally get one.

The most important person that needs mothering is our inner child. (src)

Whether or not our parents are still on this mortal coil, as adults, we are the only ones who can truly nurture ourselves. I had to learn to mother myself. External validation can be addictive—it feels so good—but it's vital to stay internally centered, especially when spending so many hours alone on projects. 

The most intense project so far was the Gender Cards for NARAL Pro-Choice America. It required a lightning-fast turnaround, creating several polished portraits per day for over a month straight. Looking back, I see ways I could have cared for myself better, but since then I have improved my boundaries and time management significantly. I knew burnout was unsustainable long-term, though it took me a long time to grasp how to be better to myself. Learning lessons.

The (above) photo reminded me of this clip from Arrested Development:

Dad Energy

Father, in the classic role of the provider, is the part of myself I've had to get in touch with after I began unraveling the role of "pleasant woman" (see: mom). A side that is confident—brazen even—pragmatic. A loyal and strong advocate. My dad and I have a lot of differences in how we see the world, but it always surprises me to see the things we have in common. It's the side of myself that is passionate, loud, angry, loyal, and a dash of feral (Tim says I open cereal boxes like a muppet). My dad is the same.

I was recently on the phone with my dad, and we shared our fear of death. Zing! It was a breakthrough moment because we often check in to find out the other is "fine." But after some health scares a year before and Dad hitting the 80 mark, he's had some existential moments. When bringing up our fears, we said it nearly simultaneously: "the void." He believes in god and all that, too. Deep down, we're both scared that there is nothing. It's almost funny to be scared of nothing. Maybe we're just both scared of endings?

This convo caused me to finish a comic I started last year called "The Void." The last time I saw my favorite pair of glasses was during an Andrei Tarkovsky double-feature of [long, Russian, sci-fi movies] because Solaris (1972) and Stalker (1979) were the last movies I watched with those pink cuties on my face.

A quote of Dad's from childhood that I love and still use today:

"Take a good look around, kids" (about a restaurant or establishment we would not be visiting again). It still makes me laugh; a reminder that my dad can be hilarious and that humor is a massive thread in our family.

Highlights from Spring

• April 8th eclipse: I'm not usually tuned into what the public is doing, but I watched my first solar eclipse with over 7,000+ people at Greenwood Cemetery. It was a profound experience, and an Aries moon, too! I feel as though I got solar-powered by the sun; my creativity has been off the charts ever since.

  

• My interest in wolves led me to watch the documentary Island of the Sea Wolves (2022), which was chockful of wolf mother drama. If you are anything like me and need a break from stupid real-world drama (aka. our living nightmare), I highly recommend watching some nature documentaries to take the edge off. Gimme Wild Animal Kingdom drama any day! Human drama—blerg.

• A nod to Mental Health Awareness in May. Once I learned to put my mental health first, I truly became a well-functioning human. I can't recommend therapy enough. The most important thing I learned was acceptance (of self, and others) and boundaries—what a gift. For me, therapy was life-changing.

  

• Exciting news! I was featured in Canvas Rebel, thanks to a recommendation from April Merl (thank you, April!). You can read my interview here.

• May 27 was World Dracula Day, and I have finally put all the Nosferatu shorts IN ONE PLACE. Have you watched Volume 1? For a good time, call Nosferatu.

• We took a little trip into the unknown: Denver, Colorado. Initially, it was because I got tickets to see Lord Huron playing at Red Rocks Amphitheater as far back as November 2023, so we decided to make a mini vacation out of it.

  

  A funny thing happened on the way to the venue, however. We inadvertently chose THE most challenging trail to the Amphitheater. I was unprepared for this level of hike, but it left a lasting impression on me. I had to keep climbing and moving forward with everyone behind me, all of us eagerly striving (and panting) to reach the same destination. I found out later there was a much easier way in—of course! It was worth it though.

  

• DELICIOUS VEGAN FOOD ALERT. One of our favorite places in Denver was City Oh City, which we hit daily. “Women, family, and queer-owned and operated by Jennifer Byers, Hannah Kuehl, and Lauren Roberts since 2015." We loved this place so much!

• 📣 📣 📣 Tim's BRAND NEW horror comic is out and I highly recommend subscribing! He’s releasing pages every week and I'm privy to the fact that it's stellar stuff! Check it out for yourself and subscribe free here: Adventures Unlimted.

  

• 📣 📣 📣 My friend Vicki has an exciting new book series coming out this fall: Selene Shade, Resurrectionist for Hire. I'm a beta reader for the series so I know it’s SO GOOD. The official release for the first book is 9/10/24. Preorder Victoria Dalpe’s book here.

  

MORE FUN STUFF

• I saw Funky Forest: The First Contact (2005) with another Providence friend (The Left-Hand Path) in NYC for the weekend. This movie is WILD, and I loved it. Sometimes it takes out-of-town friends to get me to try new things in my neighborhood, like seeing a 2.5-hour film at Spectacle Theater for $5. You can't beat that.

• Spotify has been making me playlists in a genre of music they call MURDERFOLK and I find this hilarious. I did notice that my music has gotten more masculine and male-led these days, so I want to bring some female energy back into the mix: here’s an epic cover of Danzig’s Mother by Lissie, and Florence and the Machine song Mother which pairs well with this issue's mother theme.

  

  Summer 2024 brings a lot of travel for us. We spent the 4th of July with our dear upstate friends and met their new dog, Henry. I love their family so much! I made a lil comic about it.

  Some magic can't be captured. We saw a laser light show of fireflies and it was spectacular! They were flashing wildly and lighting up the trees. It’s so dark at night out in the country. I didn't have my phone on me, so I drew an impression:

  

Next will be the fall issue with some horror festival recaps, followed by a Halloween special edition, ending in a winter reflection to wrap up the year.

I will leave you with this beautiful moment at Meow Wolf Denver—a truly magical light & sound experience that had me awestruck and teary-eyed in a public space with total strangers.

Have a great summer!

🖤, A

Here is Volume 1 of "Nosferatu: A Lifetime of Horror" - do you have a favorite? Share in the comments!

Have a bloody good Dracula day.

🖤, A

"I'm aging," joked the stand-up comedian to the crowd gathered at Bell House, Brooklyn. Arriving slightly late, there were no available seats, leaving us to stand—an ache that would hit the back of both knees later, a reminder of my aging body the following day.

As the comedian delivered his material about being “old”–new to thirty–my mind drifted to the word and how much we overuse it, myself included. It would be tempting to dismiss his concerns, to say “But he's so young,” yet despite our age difference, I empathize completely. Age is relative. I remember the second I turned 30 I started to adapt the word “old” and use it–embarrassingly–all the time. It's a word so deeply ingrained in our anxieties about mortality. Who among us hasn't feared THE REAPER? [sound on for vibes]:

I can see things more clearly now as I ride into middle age. The wisdom part is pretty sweet. Aging is a privilege–you are still here and get to do stuff! Yet, the gnawing persists: uncertainties about death, age-related illnesses, fearing invisibility or irrelevance, adjusting to physical limitations. It’s all real stuff. Still, I've had to reconsider my outlook: if I call myself "old" now, where does that leave me in the coming years?

The label of old feels too final for me–too full stop. Calling someone else old feels ageist. When I call myself “old” it drains the vitality from this moment and the time I have right in front of me to create art–which matters so much to me. My own fear of death is the apprehension of not fulfilling my artistic aspirations in this lifetime. The art genius has only recently hatched inside my awareness, needing time to spread its wings. Instead of succumbing to fear, I've chosen to view aging as a catalyst for action. Channel that passion (cough, fear of death) into producing work—not as an excuse not to. We have the power to change the narrative of aging. I prefer to think of myself now as a wise owl; nocturnal, full of intuition, magic, and insight.

SUN IN THE EIGHTH HOUSE
What a fitting time to discuss aging, given that March was my birthday month! We are in Aries season, and while I'm not a fan of astrology in the vague daily horoscope type of way, delving into my exact birth chart and exploring the astrological houses has shed light on real inner conflicts. I’m torn between my wild Ram side—passionate, untamed, and fiery (Aries sun)—to a side of myself that uses caution, logic, and rationality (Virgo rising). Often these two are at odds with each other, and there are strengths & weaknesses to both. Admittedly, knowing astrology hasn't dramatically altered my life, but it’s so much fun to have this artistic way to articulate it. Also, how cute is my mom as a lil pregnant Aries Ram?

Legend has it, many moons ago—under a waxing crescent moon to be exact—my mother thought she was in labor and went to the doctor. They sent her home, and in typical late 70’s gaslighting fashion, she was told “No, you’re not in labor. Go home, put your feet up, eat something–it’s gonna be a while.” My mother duly listened, not fully convinced, because right as she was heating a meatball sandwich in the toaster oven, her water broke on the kitchen linoleum.

The Aries & the Leo, two fire signs themselves, jumped back in the car and my father sped into New York rush hour. While driving up along the sides of the road to avoid gridlock, he got pulled over by the police. When the cops saw my mom nearly giving birth in the backseat of a Dodge Polara, they escorted Dad’s car [BWOOP BWOOP] to the hospital—where I was born in seconds—a call so close my dad was still parking the car.

The doctor greeted him and said “Congrats! It’s a baby girl.” Dad wept tears of joy when the doctor leaned in and said “Also, she was holding a meatball sub.”

SPRING EQUINOX
Though my birthday falls just a few days after the arrival of spring, I've always loved autumn best. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot and the anticipation of Halloween makes October my favorite. Lately, I’ve been appreciating spring. I'm especially drawn to what it symbolizes: a season of potential, renewal, the eternal cycle of life and death in nature. It also ignites my longing to be outdoors.

My obsession with the language of flowers continues, and daffodils are March’s flower. While yellow isn't my favorite color, I have always planned to have a daffodil tattooed on my inner wrist in black & white. A daffodil is also the teacup Willy Wonka chomps down on in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Oh man–as a child, I coveted everything edible from that movie, particularly the lickable wallpaper. Yum

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MARCH

• WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
  One of my favorite client projects was illustrating 54+ portraits for NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2016, and further projects again in 2019. Since then the cards are no longer available—what a relic!—NARAL has since become “Reproductive Freedom for All”. My favorite card is Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman to run for a major party's nomination for President of the United States. I saw the Shirley movie poster and freaked–Regina King plays Shirley! I love Regina and had to pay a little revisit to both women. My favorite role of King is Angela Abar (Sister Night) from HBO’s “Watchmen” (2019).

• DAYLIGHT SAVING ENDS
  Daylight Saving ended and it has turned our cat Fluff into a wild beast. He doesn’t understand time anymore—did he ever?—even though pushing the clocks ahead serves his best interest. It messed me up too for a bit, and I wonder why the heck we still do this in modern times.

  

• WORLD SLEEP DAY
  March 15, 2024, is World Sleep Day, which “delegates and sleep health advocates across the world”. Who better to demonstrate this than our guy Nosferatu? And there will be new Nosf shorts coming later this year!

• MISTLETOE IN SPRINGTIME
  Andrea Schmitz & I are ALMOST at the finish line with our collaborative short adaptation of “Legend of the Mistletoe Bough”. The story begins on Christmas but ends in springtime, leading us to the creepy horror finale–my favorite scene.

  

• TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN
  In March I rewatched almost all of Twin Peaks (1990-1991)—save a handful of episodes from Season 2 that were downright unwatchable. I’m 3/4 through The Return (2017)–which I have a renewed appreciation for seven years later.
  Thanks to David Lynch, I adore artists like Junior Kimbrough, leading me to discover Jessie Mae Hemphill, and Dirty Beaches (major swoon). The soundtrack of The Return is truly outstanding. Just as in life, one cannot fully go back to the past, but there's always a chance to appreciate it from a fresh perspective.

  While Jessie Mae Hemphill was not a direct Lynch recommendation, I found her through Junior Kimbrough—whom Lynch has mentioned. “Snake Eyes” is my #1 favorite from The Return’s live performances, featuring Alex Zhang Hungtai (of Dirty Beaches & Last Lizard) on saxophone alongside Dean Hurley (David Lynch’s longtime music supervisor) and David’s son, Riley Lynch.

In a world currently at odds with fake vs reality, I’ve become even more attracted to authenticity in myself and others. I’ll leave you with this article from Medium 10 Signs Your Authentic Self Has Taken Over:

“I can’t imagine where I would be if I had not taken care of my fears and limiting beliefs.”

It made me feel proud of how much my inner work is working! I feel a lot of these 10 things; I hope you do too.

🖤, A

Hello friends old and new, welcome (back) to Sparrow House! 

For the first newsletter of 2024, I want to extend a heartfelt Happy New Year. January vanished in a blur, leaving me in a post-holiday daze. Like the groundhog emerging from its burrow, I'm slowly waking up, though I'll still be squinting at the sun until Spring.

UPDATES

At the start of 2024, I consciously opted for a low profile. Lingering 2023 goals carried over, and I was becoming increasingly frustrated talking about them. Do you ever need a break from your nagging voice of self-doubt? After what seemed like endless deliberation over my intentions, I'm finally seeing tangible progress in my efforts. Though the frustration isn’t banished entirely–for example, I have jury duty as I type this–it's gradually fading as I commit to my daily artistic practice. 

Farewell, depressing January; I've managed to gather momentum even amid your darkest days. Here are some flowers to brighten things up:

My collaboration with Andrea Schmitz which started in 2022 on the animated adaptation of "Legend of Mistletoe Bough” (1822) is nearing completion in the first quarter of this year. I can’t believe it will be a real thing in the world! Additionally, I'm applying updates to my illustration portfolio and seeking representation. I felt stuck for a while now and could only think of one solution to get out of it: no more talking, only doing. Character design from Mistletoe:

ROMANCING THE SHADOW

These introspective deep dives have led me back to the works of Carl Jung, with shadow work now guiding upcoming projects. I’ve been making my way, albeit slowly, through Jung’s Man and His Symbols (1968).

The concept of home, both physical and metaphorical, is becoming a focal point. After spending two decades of my life in Brooklyn, 2025 is slated to be the year we bid farewell to this city. I thought I would live here forever, so the prospect of seeking permanence elsewhere fills me with both excitement and fear. Jung's interpretation of the house as a symbol of the self resonates deeply with me more than ever, making it fitting that the themes of self and home align with my creative explorations. Throughout the year I'll delve into questions like "where is home?" more deeply.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE

On this Valentine’s Day, why not take a moment to relax and snuggle up by a crackling fire? (I like this one from YouTube). Back in 2020, I had my character Nosferatu write me a Valentine. He’s lucky, in the second quarter of 2024, I plan on developing new animated shorts with my guy.

As for the true story behind Valentine's Day, it’s more interesting than all the red & white teddy bears lining the shelves of CVS. In ancient Rome, a priest named Valentine defied the emperor's orders by clandestinely performing marriages. Despite his imprisonment for this act of rebellion, Valentine found love with the jailer's daughter and, before his execution on February 14th, sent her a letter signed "From your Valentine." This poignant gesture has since immortalized Valentine as a symbol of love and commitment, giving rise to the modern celebration of Valentine's Day. It's astonishing to ponder the fate of a priest who sacrificed his life (he was beheaded!) to unite heterosexual couples in marriage. Yet, history reveals that in times of conflict, individuals are often manipulated into serving others' agendas, regardless of the consequences.

Relics of him were kept in the Church and Catacombs of San Valentino in Rome, which "remained an important pilgrim site throughout the Middle Ages until the relics of St. Valentine were transferred to the church of Santa Prassede during the pontificate of Nicholas IV". His skull, crowned with flowers, is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. (wiki)

Valentine's Day has never been my cup of tea. I tend to deviate from societal norms on most matters anyway. Honestly, the more something conforms to the mainstream, the less it appeals to me. Take modern romantic comedies, for instance, especially ones like Love Actually (just the mention makes my left eye twitch). I watched it once and threw the DVD out the window. I'm aware that many people love these movies and I’m often outnumbered.

My favorite romantic comedy might be Roman Holiday (1954). I love Audrey Hepburn, and the film is so playful and enjoyable, but that bittersweet ending gets me right in the heart. I will also forever adore Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). In matters of romance, I'm most drawn to the dark and mysterious, a love so intense that it transcends even death itself. A yearning from the grave.

HAUNTED HEARTS

This fascination sparked the creation of "Haunted Hearts," an animated short I created for Things Took a Turn anthology in 2021.

An artist moves into an abandoned studio overlooking a graveyard and begins an unlikely courtship with an undead.

Early in the pandemic, we moved around the block from a massive graveyard in Brooklyn. While our view doesn't face the cemetery, walks often lead me past homes that do. It led me to envision my protagonist as a creative longing for connection, so much so that she finds it in a supernatural, ethereal manner—an experience akin to the bond artists often share with their creations. The intertwining of art and self represents yet another profound form of love. Also, I wanted to draw a skeleton.

Admittedly, the animation did not turn out the way I had envisioned. My initial goal was to delve into and forge a language bridging the realms of the dead and the living. I was attracted to the idea of stones. Across many cultures, stones serve as a means of remembrance, signaling to others that someone has visited the grave and still holds the deceased in memory. But what happens when there's no one left to keep the spirit alive? It’s a topic I will most likely revisit in a future project.

DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

Alongside revisiting Jung, I've also found myself drawn back to the fascinating works of Anais Nin. I have been drawn to her writing since I first got my hands on Henry & June (1986), followed by the (albeit terrible) film adaptation starring Uma Thurman in 1990. When I later found out about her “Father Story”, my love record screeched to a halt. To continue to love her, I knew that eventually, I would have to confront her shadows and complexities just as I would my own. 

Contemplating Nin led me to reflect on the kinds of books I devoured even before discovering her: the VC Andrews novels of my tween years. I vividly recall reading Flowers in the Attic (1979), with its explicit scenes of incestuous love between brother/sister and a myriad of other familial horrors (like locking children up in an attic and poisoning them). Despite the taboo nature of this content, I found myself engrossed in the intimate scenes, just as so many kids of my generation were, especially young girls, captivated by Flowers in the Attic and the subsequent (often incestuous) novels that followed. I found this interview with Ann Patty, editor of Flowers in the Attic, insightful on why these books were so popular back then. Hint: they’re forbidden fruit.

“Part of the appeal is the forbidden nature. Some parents and teachers outright ban the reading of V.C. Andrews, naturally making it all the more appealing. Kids know what’s up. Sneaking the book past watchful eyes is part of the pleasure”.
– Isabelle Popp

I remember convincing my mother to drive me to Genovese* immediately to get the follow-up book they sold at this family drugstore like some kind of addict. She would buy it for me and have no idea what I was reading. One thing I seemed to get away with was undercover smutty books to satiate my teenage curiosity. I remember staying up late into the night to finish Stephen King’s IT, getting in trouble for using the flashlight under the covers because my mother thought I was going to set the bed on fire. Little did she know that within IT there is an infamous sex scene that happens, consensual, though underage. I stayed up to finish all 1,184 pages of that book. I think my mother was just happy that I was reading.

LA BELLE FLEUR SAUVAGE

I have a special treat to share with you: a curated playlist for February! For me, there’s nothing quite like Otis Redding or the achy crooning of Roy Orbison to set the mood for love & longing. Most of the songs in the playlist are vintage, but there's an album from 2015 that steals my heart, the hauntingly romantic album "Strange Trails" by Lord Huron. It's a modern masterpiece that might just be my favorite album of all time. There is a fictional world behind it, as described in Way Out There:

[Strange Trails]…is described as an anthology of weird fiction. The events in the album center around characters who frequent a dive bar called George’s Place. The songs are credited to various characters, as the album is intended to be interpreted as Lord Huron covering the songs of the writers and performers within the narrative.

I highly recommend following the Strange Trails, they will take you who knows where.

And, whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, I truly hope you feel loved today–and every day.

See you in Spring,

🖤, A

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Here are my 12 illustrated highlights from 2023, each paired with a song to take you on a lil’ musical journey. You can listen to the entire Spotify Playlist here. If Spotify is not your thing, you can find each corresponding song listed in the description. Enjoy!

1. Collaborating on Mistletoe Bough.
   ♫ “No Man Is An Island” by The Van Dykes

   It all started with a packet of dried leaves I brought back from Salem: Mistletoe To See Ghosts. To my surprise, I learned that despite its use as an affectionate plant adorning homes during Christmas, this kissy stuff is poisonous.

   

   Andrea Schmitz & I started a collaborative journey in October 2022 with an animated adaptation of "Legend of The Mistletoe Bough." As we near the completion of this spooky project, we eagerly anticipate submitting it to film festivals in 2024. In the meantime, watch Andrea’s creative brilliance by exploring her fifth-hosted animated short anthology: Things Took a Turn, to be unveiled tonight at the stroke of midnight. So exciting—see it here!

2. Nosferatu returns from the (un)dead.
   ♫ “Return of the Vampire” by The Coffinshakers
   The start of "A Lifetime of Horror" took inspiration from the 1922 silent film "Nosferatu," known as "A Symphony of Horror," a movie that narrowly escaped being wiped from film history. I’m really happy with the latest short film and anticipate the laughter Nosferatu will bring in 2024. The complete Nosferatu collection is available for viewing on Vimeo. Exciting plans include the launch of Nosferatu's dedicated YouTube channel and much more.

   

3. Getting mystical in the desert.
   ♫ “The Sign” by The Mountain Goats
   I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes! Actually, I was in the shower when it happened. Tim filmed a Dust Devil deep in the desert of Estancia, New Mexico. One morning, as a lark, Tim drew a sigil in the dirt. To our amazement, this miniature tornado manifested later that day, and weirdly dissipated precisely at the location of the seemingly arbitrary sigil. (cue X-Files theme)

4. Facing fears in the desert.
   ♫ “Drive My Car” by The Beatles
   I have always been afraid to drive, even when I learned how to do it. I was a late bloomer, but I eventually got my license and managed to have two secondhand cars in my 20s. Living in Brooklyn for almost 2 decades, I haven’t driven a car since. However, change is on the horizon. With a move upstate looming in the next two years, the necessity of owning a car is becoming evident. I decided to face my fear and drive the car rental in the openness of the desert as my starting point after this lengthy hiatus.

   

5. Sweet, sweet wanderlust.
   ♫ “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
   New Mexico was awesome, and Meow Wolf was worth the hype. We’ve been traveling again this year and now I want to go everywhere I haven’t been yet. I feel like Emma Stone in Poor Things. Adventure! I want to see it all! Good thing I’m practicing driving again.

   

6. “A million candles have burned themselves out. Still, I read on.”― Edgar Allan Poe
   ♫ “Windows” by Sugar Candy Mountain
   There we were, just living life, sitting on the couch in mid-July when a note slipped under our front door. It was from the landlord’s management company. It stated that we were about to lose one of our (few) windows and there was nothing they could do about it. This window also held our airconditioner. Did I mention it was summer?

   

   I won’t go into all the details, but here we are 5 months later and the window is gone. My office has a window, but it faces trash cans. Now it happens to face a ginormous POLYJOHN installed for the construction workers—the same ones who removed our window. I also have the personal pleasure of hearing the workers use their toilet, day in and day out, for months on end the door opens and closes. Ggagunk gagunk. Ggagunk gagunk.

   

   You might be wondering why this made my list of positive highlights. It stinks, and I hate that it happened, but it also gave me fire to pursue the dream: I want a house.

7. I see a red barn and I want to paint it black.
   ♫ “This Must Be the Place” by The Talking Heads

   They say home is wherever you make it, but maybe it's also where they can’t take away your f@#%^& windows! I never thought I would ever want to leave city living, especially Brooklyn. I fused to the idea since teenagedom that I would live in the city forever. HOW COULD ANYONE LEAVE THIS CITY!? I was born in New York, my parents were born in Brooklyn and so were my grandparents. Both sides! Then the pandemic happened and it changed my brain about how to live. Losing a window pushed me over the edge. Now, here I am—obsessively looking on Zillow—fawning over houses I’m not ready for yet. Soon though. Soon.

   

8. Nocturnal flowers for this night owl kinda gal.
   ♫ “Freaks Come Out at Night” by Whodini

   

   Have you ever heard of a moonflower? This year I learned about gardens that bloom at night and my mind has been blown. I am nocturnal by nature, I’ve been like this since childhood. I perk up when everyone else goes to sleep. Nothing feels more fitting than a night garden to match my personality.

9. Fargo, Season 5.
   ♫ “La La Love You“ by Pixies
   I won’t shut up about Fargo Season 5. It’s been truly outstanding. If you talk to me IRL or follow my IG stories then you know I can’t stop talking about this season. This show is one of my favorites, but S5 is just tremendous. Without any spoilers, the last episode featured marionette puppets so I brought out my own to say hello.

   

10. Launching Sparrow House.
    ♫ “Sparrow” by Mazzy Star

    I have been wanting to start a newsletter for so long. Though things have been clunky (tech hiccups) and I’m still navigating the process, we’re off to a good start. When I put the first four newsletter covers together I thought they looked pretty, like colorful issues of a magazine.

    

11. On the next episode of Sparrow House.
    ♫ “Fortune Teller” by The Rolling Stones

    I am so excited about the art 2024 will bring. Andrea Schmitz & I will wrap on Mistletoe, Nosferatu will get his own channel, and there will be a lot of fun things to share. Later in the year, I would like to open my online store and offer paintings, prints, and other handmade items. In the first half, I will be querying publishing agents, which I am excited to write & illustrate for kid’s lit. More on that to come!

    

12. Self-acceptance is true love.
    ♫ “True Love Will Find You in the End” by Daniel Johnston
    This year, my most significant achievement wasn't financial or career-related; instead, it was the commitment I made to enhance my mental well-being. Through talk therapy, I navigated a path toward self-acceptance, discovering that there is no love quite like the profound love for oneself. It’s not just important, IT’S EVERYTHING. Love & acceptance will heal this world.

***BONUS SONG***
♫ “Auld Lang Syne” by Me First and the Gimme Gimmies
Check out the full Spotify Playlist here.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
🖤, A

Greetings! This Halloween, I had two goals: dress up like a skeleton and unveil a new Nosferatu short film. I’m excited to announce that I accomplished both, despite burning myself out a little to finish in time. We’ll touch on artist burnout in a future post, but for now, let’s get right to the GOOD CANDY.

HERE IS THE BRAND-NEW ANIMATED SHORT 🎬

“Nosferatu Goes Shopping” made its grand debut in an exclusive email sent out to the subscribers (hello, friends!) and the Instagram feed. I’m delighted to see the laughter it has brought to many of you, and your positive reactions truly warm my heart.

One of the challenges I often encounter when creating something like Nosferatu Goes Shopping is the significant time investment required; it can feel like life needs to come to a halt, and I will exhaust myself in the process. So, when the animation involves humor, the joke has to be hilarious.

As I repeatedly watched the animatic (above), the crashing of the dish rack kept cracking me up, so I trusted it would be worth the effort.

NOSFERATU: SUBWAY OF HORRORS

The origin of this character began after I had watched the 1922 silent film, “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.” While I held a deep appreciation for this classic horror masterpiece, I couldn’t help but find Nosferatu’s appearance a bit goofy. That stare! It’s important to note that I’m looking at it from an obvious contemporary standpoint, as I’m sure he was absolutely TERRIFYING to audiences in the 1920s. Nosferatu remains celebrated as one of the greatest horror films in cinematic history—and I knew that I needed to draw him immediately.

I began sketching him taking the NYC subway during my daily commute, channeling a few of my own subway tales of woe. This short was also the origin of Nosferatu as the misunderstood performance artist who can’t catch a break.

You can view the complete Nosferatu collection on Vimeo, and follow the hashtag #nosferatuLOH on Instagram

NOSFERATU: IN THE BEGINNING

The animated minis on social inspired me to do more with Nosferatu. Things Took a Turn (TTAT) is an animation anthology I participated in the previous year, organized by the talented and fellow spooky Andrea, Andrea Schmitz. The 2019 theme, “In the Beginning,” revolved around myths and legends and offered an opportunity to delve into the legend surrounding Max Schreck, who famously portrayed Nosferatu in the 1922 film.

This legend suggested that Schreck’s performance was so convincing that he was rumored to be an actual vampire, even inspiring the 2000 film “Shadow of the Vampire,” in which Willem Dafoe portrayed the character.

Upon conducting my research, I discovered that Schreck had also dabbled in “obscure comedy” after his iconic role and how the Stoker estate tried to have every copy of Nosferatu destroyed because of copyright, so I combined these elements to craft a fun origin story for the character.

I found placing Nosferatu within the world of the “handsome Draculas” who have all the looks, luck, and ladies amusing. After all, Nosferatu is essentially an off-brand Dracula, so it struck me as logical that he would need to put in significantly more effort to gain attention and recognition.

NOSFERATU: GOES SHOPPING

The most recent installment was initially created for World Dracula Day (May 26). I couldn’t complete all the pieces in time to realize the entire animation. In my previous work, I primarily used monochromatic elements, which made the process faster. However, this time, I was eager to explore the use of color, and working with color naturally demands more time and attention.

I decided to postpone it until October, knowing I’d have more time (although I was still racing against the clock to finish it by Halloween). It all began with a simple idea—bringing Dracula and Nosferatu together in a single location. The question was, where could that happen? I envisioned a place where they could unite, a NYC Lower East Side store tailored for monsters, one that only opens its doors at the stroke of midnight, thus “Nosferatu Goes Shopping.”

Initially, I intended to create an animated IG Reel, but later, I altered my plans and switched to a 1920 x 1080 format. I chose a standard TV size, opting for a version that could live beyond social media alone.

While working on the short, I was aching for some artistic collaboration, so I took to my Instagram Stories to ask: “What items would Dracula have in his store?” I was fortunate to receive fantastic suggestions from online friends, which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the creative process.

SUSPIRIA & GOBLIN THE BAND

While I watch horror movies throughout the year, I wanted to shine a spotlight on my all-time favorite, “Suspiria” (1977). I had the opportunity to view it on the big screen this October at Nitehawk in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Despite having it on Blu-ray, there’s truly nothing quite like experiencing a cult classic with a jam-packed theater filled with devoted fans who erupt in applause at the very first note of the opening title. Truly a memorable experience.

I thought about the reasons why “Suspiria” holds the title of my all-time favorite horror movie. Right out of the gate, THE COLORS. If a color scheme could make my HEART SING, it would be this movie. Every scene is a vivid masterpiece, along with an incredible soundtrack by Goblin. It’s a kind of beautiful insanity that’s just awe-inspiring.

Here are some notes I jotted down after watching the film:

• Fuschia-soaked fever dream, magical realism, gruesome, mesmerizing, neon, sensual

• Aesthetically exquisite

• Witch coven inside a ballerina music box

• Jessica Harper’s (Suzy Bannion) eyeball acting acting: A++

• The clothing, the shoes!

• Every single interior design in this film

• 1977 is my year 👀

• It’s perfect, and I love it to pieces

• GOBLIN!

There’s a lot to love about this movie, and Goblin’s soundtrack seals the deal. Goblin’s wild Italian prog-rock wailing casts a spell of its own. I love Goblin so much that I saw them before Massimo Morante, founder and guitarist, passed away in 2020. Here’s a clip from the 2018 show I attended at Irving Plaza:

KEEP ON CREEPIN’ ON

As we travel into November, let’s extend the spooky season with some recommendations to keep ya going:

* Music: curated playlist from my 2021 animated short Haunted Hearts
* Film: movies I watched this October 2023 on Letterboxd
* Watch: Andrea’s animated short “Thirst”, especially if you are a creative who understands burnout and the race against time
* Read: Tim’s comic Eternal Gaze of the Sightless Void. It’s beautifully chilling!

There’s a quote I want to leave you with; it’s one I think about often, especially in the most troubling of times. It’s simple but effective:

Use it for yourself. And, please, use it towards other people. So many people are hurting right now.

Make more art, and spread more love. 🖤

I attended Catholic school—pre-K all the way to 12th grade—at the insistence of my parents, but the silver lining was the opportunity to go to art college. Everywhere else, I felt like an outsider, but when it came to art—whether creating it, observing it, or studying the works of others—I found my sense of belonging. Art was my sanctuary.

My artistic awakening began during the high school years. Recently, I revisited a few pieces from that period, and truly to my surprise, I was genuinely impressed. I expected high school art to make me cringe, but the passage of time has given me a lot of perspective, allowing me to appreciate the budding artist I once was. I thought it might be enjoyable to share some of my high school artwork with all of you here in this video slideshow:

Since my teenage years, I was drawn to fashion as a form of expression. As a kid, I would say that I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up. While I didn't have a complete grasp of what that profession truly entailed, I was inherently drawn to the idea. Although I ultimately decided to major in illustration, I chose the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to keep close to the fashion world. In NYC, 7th Avenue—also known as Fashion Ave—were super fun times in the late ‘90s. Still to this day, my dad enjoys reminding me about the time when my parents accompanied my first college visit to FIT. Their eyes widened in amazement when they spotted a student casually strolling around in a full-body fishnet outfit (and not much else). I cherish those days!

Attending FIT allowed me to fulfill another dream: living in Greenwich Village, which was exactly where I wanted to be at that time. Although I was initially on a waitlist for the dormitories, I ended up temporarily settling into women-owned, women-exclusive housing called the Katharine House for individuals aged 18-25, located on 13th Street in Manhattan. The Katharine House doesn’t even exist anymore! I didn’t understand the historical significance of the place until I found myself deep in a rabbit hole, searching for a single interior that reflected the room I once had, but the best I could do was draw my room from memory:

The room was exceptionally narrow; I could reach the opposite side from my twin bed. We had shared dormitory-style bathrooms, but each room had its own sink, providing a tiny bit of privacy. Surprisingly, no guests were allowed in your room, not just boys, but anyone—my own mother couldn't even come up. Additionally, there was a strict curfew, and if you missed it, they wouldn't allow you back in for the night. At the time it felt like a small price to pay for living in New York City at 18 years old.

In future newsletters, we'll delve into the artwork from my college years, which has so much to explore. To close out the “back to school” theme, I thought it'd be enjoyable to share some education-themed illustrations from more recent times:

My art mediums have evolved over the years. During college, I specialized in oil painting, creating monochromatic and moody pieces, often featuring an overly exorbitant amount of burnt sienna. Nowadays, I work primarily digital, with a preference for Procreate, Photoshop, and vibrant neon colors.

It’s time for a FREE GIFTS ALERT! Are you a subscriber?

This month’s free gift for subscribers includes Breakfast Club (digital) trading cards! What Breakfast Club archetype is closest to you? The Rebel, Princess, Brain, Athlete, Outcast. There are also the 12 Jungian archetypes if you wanna expand your search. Can you guess which one I most identified with in high school? It’s obvious, I know.

In classic GenX style, I indulged in a rewatch of some John Hughes movies for this special occasion. However, if you're seeking genuinely well-crafted, insightful, and deliciously obscure film discussions, I recommend visiting my friend Joe Dwyer’s Substack, The Left-Hand Path. His theme for September is also centered around Back to School with some fantastic insights. Highly rec!

Subscribe to receive your September gifts. New subscribers, check your welcome email. For current subscribers, you’ll receive an email code. [If you don’t see it, check your spam folder just in case].

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What lies ahead? In these awe-inspiring photographs below, captured by my multi-talented friend, Karen Zacconi (a teacher, a baker, a mermaid costume maker!), my excitement is building as we approach our upcoming desert excursion later this month. I can hardly contain my anticipation for star gazing! This sentiment comes to you directly from my dim apartment in Brooklyn.

October issue will drop later in the month with a fresh new Nosferatu short & Halloween goodies.

Thanks so much for your support. See you in October for some spooky fun 💀

Dropping a post here to say the September newsletter will arrive next week!

In the meantime, enjoy these illustrations about breaking some fashion faux pas.

I remember being told not to wear white after Labor Day. I don’t wear white much anyway, but I got curious about where this message originated. Part of it was practical (ie. white is cooler in the sun; black absorbs the sun’s heat), though some of it was (non-shockingly) classist.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac:

Wearing white was a sign of wealth. Some historians believe that this rule was actually a way for the wealthy to separate themselves from the working class. Not only could they afford vacations—and the expensive clothes to match—but they didn’t do work that stained their white clothes. Middle-class laborers, on the other hand, often wore darker colors even in the summer to hide the dirt and grime that accumulated after a hard day’s work.

There will always be someone there to remind us of outdated rules—telling us not to do it. I’m going to buy white jeans just to rock them through Fall!

See you next week for the “Back to School” newsletter—packed with more illustrations, free gifts, September playlist, and a stroll down memory lane featuring artwork dating all the way back to high school.

This newsletter debuts in August when it’s hitting 90°+ here in Brooklyn, so why the heck is this orange dress not very summery? It’s a vintage gown that I have been eyeballing on ETSY forever but won’t buy for myself to actually wear (there are only so many occasions for head-to-toe polyester with lace turtleneck)—so I drew it to satiate my swooning. A lot of stuff like this will make it onto characters.

To kick off August with something more summery, however, I have updated this illustrated piece from 2017. “Gills of Summer” features 3 Gillys (they're all named Gilly, not unlike the Three Busy Debras), and they’re inspired by my love for Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)—a monster designed by my favorite SFX artist, Milicent Patrick.

If you subscribe to my newsletter this month, you will receive an email code to unlock a free gift: 3 separate Gillys (1080 x 1920) for mobile wallpaper! Make sure to check your spam folder just in case.

I’ve also been into reviving comics. To celebrate this revival, I’m debuting my Nosferatu character for the first time in comic form:

This idea stemmed from sitting for long stretches of time inside the apartment, drawing on the couch until my butt is numb, and oftentimes popping on 8+ hours of “slow tv” rain storms or various forms of Darth Vader roasting.

More gifts for you! Here is my cat Fluff presenting this Spotify playlist I made for August, holding up his boombox in Say Anything (1989) style.

I also started a Letterboxd to share monthly movie watches & standup comedy (I’m a standup comedy junkie). Maybe something on my list might strike your fancy during the dog days of summer: https://letterboxd.com/artsparrow

I had a special binge of the (Ellen Ripley) Alien series, just in time for the government to speak to Congress about non-human materials! I loved a little something about all four Alien movies, but nothing beats the 1979 original—a damn near-perfect movie, if you ask me.

So what does the crystal ball predict? I’m busy wrapping up my children’s book pitch to query to publishing agents, working on more Nosferatu (did you know about Robert Eggers’ upcoming Nosferatu release in 2024?), illustrating & co-directing an animated short with fellow Andrea S., and ongoing home decor—all things that I will feature in the near future.

Thanks so much for being here. See ya next month!