Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Heya everyone, some might know, some not, but I quit my previous study to follow my passion in art and illustration.
I'd love it if you'd check out my stuff, maybe leave a like/fave, comment, or share as well :) I really want to hear what you like/dislike about my stuff, how I could improve it, etc. I am serious about becoming a professional illustrator some day.

Anyway, this is my fb page; https://www.facebook.com/BellaKohlerArt
tumblr blog; http://bella-kohler-arts.tumblr.com/
And DA page; http://asrath.deviantart.com/

Check it out and tell me what you think! You can follow whatever page you like. All of them. One. Two. None. Whatever you like. I don't always post ALL drawings on all pages though. Beware.
My facebook page is most thorough if you want to stay up-to-date, my DA most professional and serious and tumblr... I'm a tumblr newbie. Lol

Cheers,
Erik

(some previews for those of you too lazy to click a link ;))
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc08.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F050%2Fe%2Fd%2Fyellow_grin_in_the_night_by_asrath-d7752iu.jpg&hash=58fbf701d8434551bd5fdaf60cf8333014536831)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc06.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F037%2Fe%2F3%2Frock_dragon_by_asrath-d75cesv.jpg&hash=de5cd96b43287c93d06f9ffe3ba0894569dc11b8)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc06.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F043%2F2%2F6%2Fred_wolf_crest_by_asrath-d76545c.png&hash=5971ee13add6b81a65b4c439a54827ab854bf4b1)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc03.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2014%2F013%2F1%2Fc%2Ftazlac__monster_design__by_asrath-d721lpp.jpg&hash=62df2019f900b7e439edc626b1fcf3d7d56c64f6)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc07.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F010%2Fa%2Fb%2Fthe_rise_of_magic_by_asrath-d71miww.jpg&hash=efd2f4d9a321d5f2a100db765feb8851d9e75290)

Not sure whether anyone is even following this... but I made another drawing (please click for full-view)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2F49a208eafc981f128bfe6ce6fbb37a3b%2Ftumblr_n1eli4kT911smv1hjo1_1280.jpg&hash=e2b9fe1f08371cfc1108bdbba3c3ced9feb34523)

You have a nice style going on there :) Looking forward to seeing more :)

I agree, definitely want to see more.  You're style is uniquely beautiful, and I'm extremely jealous of your sense and skill with color.

Thanks, both of you :)
I'll update whenever I have something new.
This one is older though, but I liked the idea. Both the picture and the comic-like drawing on top are by me.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc09.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Ff%2F2014%2F046%2F9%2F3%2Fwelcome_to_bee_port_by_asrath-d76k6be.jpg&hash=ab7ea4730110f99b338830de8d9c983b14e4575d)

Just finished this drawing;
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F31.media.tumblr.com%2F49424b8009181235bb2877365274337f%2Ftumblr_n1i3zoIZCX1smv1hjo1_1280.jpg&hash=d5bd69133a2fe0e7ab39e571c2a7a00bdc05e59f)
(again, please full-view)

ANOTHER new drawing!

It's the first page of my new children's story. "Sammy and the Toy"

It's about a little, cowardly, fat dragon named Sammy (sorry for making him fat, lol :>) who loses his favourite plush toy and then goes on a big adventure to get it back, facing great dangers without fear (all he thinks of is "I WANT MY TOY BACK!!!" lol), and eventually finding his toy and having overcome his fears.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F24.media.tumblr.com%2F3943aef141848369f9fa4d3d3507bf4a%2Ftumblr_n1m2hsh7i51smv1hjo1_1280.jpg&hash=fdaf39d41e43c09e1dbf0a1bdd4988eb43c870d2)

I kept meaning to comment, but always seemed to catch the updates while on my phone at a time that wasn't suitable for commenting.

The two new ones are simply gorgeous and make me even more jealous of your skill with color.  Keep up the good work and keep sharing.

Thanks, and don't worry, I am guilty of forgetting/postponing to reply to stuff too. I know, bad me. Lol.

And I'll definitely keep sharing :) I've had a bit of an art block the past few days, but I'm sure I can make something again soon.

Heya guys, a lil update!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi513.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft337%2Fbellaaaatje112%2F20140228_160809_zpsff6dff49.jpg&hash=533f67e33eee78d4ee48a3584482692fb2c0e639)
A pencil and ink drawing I made a while ago
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc08.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2014%2F067%2F8%2Fb%2Fsammy_and_the_toy__pg_2_by_asrath-d79cwmt.jpg&hash=410b2d7f56efac46783b66c8c5806b33ed2bc8d0)
And page two of 'sammy and the toy', not really happy with this one tho'. It seems to 'lack' something, but cannot pinpoint what exactly! :s

I love your loveable monster designs.  You are fantastic at these.

Keep them coming!

Ooooo I love your work. I just want to cuddle the scared dragon!

I just checked out your DA link and I love your style. The hardest part is getting a style that is your own and you did it !! 

I love the white red bird it has so much character. I think my fav though is Roasted meat .  I just added you to my watch list. I will be commenting on your art.

Keep up the wonderful work !   :)

Thanks a lot, all three of you :)

The White Red bird was a quick experiment, I think I really have to do it again and add some details, cause it was pretty lazy, lol :> And that one's one of my personal faves too!

I just finished another drawing! A penicil drawing of a dragon inspired on fish (weird, but true). I only noticed too late the scales were wrong (no depth or curve of the neck showing), but anyway, mistakes happen. I like how I coloured it tho'
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc06.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2014%2F075%2Fe%2Fe%2Ffish_dragon_of_space_by_asrath-d7afv0a.jpg&hash=51f453786610a685da4ead2e00b988b34060fea6)

You have such an amazing imagination. I love it.

Thanks Ana :)
I just made another drawing
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc04.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2014%2F077%2F2%2Ff%2Fdeep_in_my_heart_by_asrath-d7anr08.jpg&hash=89aed33c71311abbff9d820688d4de571ecc43aa)

It's a bit weird... I'm very happy with it visually (I never drew a human heart before), but it's for an assignment for art school selection, and I'm afraid it's too shallow... but the assignment is so... gahhhh. NOT MY THING!

You have to write a piece of text, story or oneliner for a friend with something you'd advice them or wish for them (some given examples were "don't listen to what other's say" and "everything is going to be all right" and you couldn't use those examples), and write that text down in a "real" visualised form and deliver it to them/make sure they see it in some way (not digitally). Location was highlighted as special importance, the location had to be optimal to 'deliver' the message to the friend in question.
My main problems are; it has to be a 'message for a friend' and that location thing. I never think about location beyond "Oh, this wall is empty, let's put some art here!" and when it comes to advice/wishes/kind words for friends I can either only come up with cliche ->-bleeped-<- (like this) or very personal things I don't want to share with the selection commitee. If I wanted to do this FOR MY FRIENDS and ONLY for my friends it would be much easier, as there are plenty of things I want to say to them. PERSONALLY. But now it's gonna be judged and looked at and picked apart by some art know-it-alls and asgfhdfjhgjhkj I freaking hate it! DX

Sometimes I seriously wonder whether art school is the right place for me, as I'm very stubborn and HATE to have my work examined and judged and have someone who "knows stuff" tell me whether it's good or bad art. I like advice from artists or other people, but I want to be free to ignore it AT ALL TIMES and do whatever the fck I want myself. But if I don't go to art school... what else...? Gaah... DX

Okay, sorry for the rant peeps :s

Quote from: Erik Ezrin on February 23, 2014, 07:42:59 AM
Thanks, both of you :)
I'll update whenever I have something new.
This one is older though, but I liked the idea. Both the picture and the comic-like drawing on top are by me.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc09.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Ff%2F2014%2F046%2F9%2F3%2Fwelcome_to_bee_port_by_asrath-d76k6be.jpg&hash=ab7ea4730110f99b338830de8d9c983b14e4575d)

I love this!

Quote from: tomboy on March 16, 2014, 09:25:47 PM
Ooooo I love your work. I just want to cuddle the scared dragon!

Me too! Keep the dragon story coming!

Quote from: Erik Ezrin on March 18, 2014, 04:00:04 AM
Thanks Ana :)
I just made another drawing
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc04.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2014%2F077%2F2%2Ff%2Fdeep_in_my_heart_by_asrath-d7anr08.jpg&hash=89aed33c71311abbff9d820688d4de571ecc43aa)

Hi!  I love your art!  This pic was actually my favorite from your deviant art page.  I'm following everything and hope to see more of your work!

Wow Erik! You have a fantastic imagination, I wish I still had that! I really like your drawings!

Thanks :) And I think you can always train your imagination to get better. When I was in high school I was so dulled by all the boring stuff, day in day out, I hardly could think of anything but math equations through the day, but since I'm nurturing my imagination again, it's back on strength :)
Of course do some people just have more or less imagination than others, but if you once had it, it's probably still there... somewhere... deep within you ;)

I'll be having my selection day for art academy at April 9th, I'll let you guys know whether I've been accepted or not as soon as I know the results.

I think the heart is good. I'll keep my fingers crossed on April 9th

I will be crossing my fingers for you. I love the Dragon with a good heart. Such a cute and expressive dragon and you drew him beautifully. Good luck hun !!!! August 9th .

Thanks people :) I'll first finish the home assignment for April the 9th, and then I'll make another page of the dragon story, I promise ;) I have a big, awesome adventure in mind for him!

And even if I don't get a place at that school, it'll still be the first day I'll be presenting FULLY as male (so not as a guyish girl/tomboy, but actually with a male name and all) I don't think I can go stealth right now, but art academy's are quite open-minded spaces, so I think I'll be fine to be out as a pre-transition transguy there. I know a transguy who graduated from the same school and discovered his gender identity DURING his study and was accepted by everyone, even though they had known him as a female and he was still pre-T.

Okay guys, the first, and biggest part, of the home assignment is finished;
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc03.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F083%2Fa%2F3%2Fmessage_from_the_heart_by_asrath-d7bfzjs.jpg&hash=fd5482d8fcab33e771a3c28eca43301e831c0b21)
I hope you all like it. It's going to be part of a message card (A4 size), with printed backside, stamp and envelope. I'll make sure to post pics of the finished project too!

Erik

Tell us a bit about this piece ? What was the medium you used for this assignment ?

This composition reminds me of Avatar with the tree of life. :)

The sky is vibrant and alive and really gives me a 3D feeling to this.  The orange streak against the blue sky backdrop is beautiful. I can almost feel the pulse of the tree through it and the colours are amazing.

Quote from: Erik Ezrin on March 24, 2014, 06:10:08 AM
Okay guys, the first, and biggest part, of the home assignment is finished;
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc03.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Fi%2F2014%2F083%2Fa%2F3%2Fmessage_from_the_heart_by_asrath-d7bfzjs.jpg&hash=fd5482d8fcab33e771a3c28eca43301e831c0b21)
I hope you all like it. It's going to be part of a message card (A4 size), with printed backside, stamp and envelope. I'll make sure to post pics of the finished project too!

I am really liking this one. Looking forward to seeing the finished project! Keep up the good work!

QuoteErik

Tell us a bit about this piece ? What was the medium you used for this assignment ?

This composition reminds me of Avatar with the tree of life. :)

The sky is vibrant and alive and really gives me a 3D feeling to this.  The orange streak against the blue sky backdrop is beautiful. I can almost feel the pulse of the tree through it and the colours are amazing.

Well, it's part of a message card for a friend, this is the frontside. I'll explain more once it's completely done :)

Drew it on the computer, with my tablet, like most of my work. It's the second drawing I've made with Paint Tool Sai though (the scared dragon is the first), and I really like how it works a bit like normal paint. And actually I paint it in the same way as I would with real paint. It's going to be printed on high quality photo paper.

And thanks :) it was quite a challenge to draw this, but glad I did it!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F31.media.tumblr.com%2F5ae51e6f7235976b3d0104b7200cdc73%2Ftumblr_n2zluiYM3W1smv1hjo1_1280.jpg&hash=ee275603640bf43cbc1af354341c07cc4b960e1c)
And the backside of the card! Almost finished! :)

I really love your use of color.  I also draw a lot, but I normally just use a no.2 pencil, just white and grey.  Now I'm feeling like I should pick up some colored utensils.  Great job!!!

Thanks a lot! :) Colour takes some practice, but it really adds to the drawing.

And I am very happy to say I am ADMITTED to the art academy! :D So next year I will be starting with my art study, and not just that... but also under the name of Erik instead of my birthname, even though I am still pre-everything. I just told the teachers and whether that was ok and all, and they were like "Yeah, sure, no problem. We get it sorted right away!" :) YEAHH!

Quote from: Erik Ezrin on April 20, 2014, 10:43:47 AM
Thanks a lot! :) Colour takes some practice, but it really adds to the drawing.

And I am very happy to say I am ADMITTED to the art academy! :D So next year I will be starting with my art study, and not just that... but also under the name of Erik instead of my birthname, even though I am still pre-everything. I just told the teachers and whether that was ok and all, and they were like "Yeah, sure, no problem. We get it sorted right away!" :) YEAHH!

congratulations, that's great...

QuoteAnd I am very happy to say I am ADMITTED to the art academy! :D So next year I will be starting with my art study, and not just that... but also under the name of Erik instead of my birthname, even though I am still pre-everything. I just told the teachers and whether that was ok and all, and they were like "Yeah, sure, no problem. We get it sorted right away!" :) YEAHH!

Yay Erik !!!!  Congratulations, I am so proud of you and I just knew you would make it. :)

It sounds sooo exciting !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from: Erik Ezrin on April 20, 2014, 10:43:47 AM
Thanks a lot! :) Colour takes some practice, but it really adds to the drawing.

And I am very happy to say I am ADMITTED to the art academy! :D So next year I will be starting with my art study, and not just that... but also under the name of Erik instead of my birthname, even though I am still pre-everything. I just told the teachers and whether that was ok and all, and they were like "Yeah, sure, no problem. We get it sorted right away!" :) YEAHH!

That is awesome to hear, congratulations. You will do great!

Those look great! Surprised you hadn't made a FA yet. Lots of dragon lovers on that site. Keep up the work! Your illustrations are doing wonderfully!

Thanks guys! I have a slight artblock now and some technical problems with my art software, but I hope to soon continue making new drawings, like the next pages of the dragon story.