Inkus Dingus, New York, NY (2026)

11/13/2025

The last time I took a legitimate vacation was 3 years ago in LA. I remember doing on that trip, feeling hectic about getting all my letters done in time and silently quitting being an “artist”. Being a multi-hyphenate artist comes with a lot of juggling on top of feeling like everyone is reaching their goals faster than you are. Slowly, over time, I committed more to being an orchestra teacher/musician and felt there was no room for me as a visual artist. I convinced myself I didn’t have the skill, that it wasn’t worth my while, and nobody was seeing what I was creating anyway.

Some months ago, my sweet friend came over to borrow an amp from me and we got to chatting away for a looooong while (as the girls do 💁🏾‍♀️) and I remember sharing these feelings with her. How I don’t feel like there’s space for me as an artist and I’m tired of trying. Then she said something along the lines of “you’re an artist whether you are actively participating in it or not. You don’t always have to be doing to have that label.” These words have been stewing and brewing within me. I’m doing what I can, when I can, and I have a lot more on my plate than I share with others.

I let my work take over my life and lost sight of what brings me joy. And that joy was CREATING THINGS either by myself or with others. And the reason I felt so numb to everything was because I didn’t allow myself to have a break. To rest my brain and reset. To not be at a constant state of stress, anxiety, and depression…

So, I said yes to a trip to New York even though I was hesitant. I knew I wanted to go (it’s my first time and I’ve always dreamed of going since I was a wee Cheebs) but I didn’t think I could take a day off of work. Luckily, convinced me it was the right choice and, for once, I felt something other than insistent dread! I allowed myself to breathe for a change and, in return, I felt the need to make something again. I feel grateful for the feeling now because I’m not sure if that spark will continue as I return home, but I do know that even if it ceases, I’m an artist regardless 💕

09/02/2025

September is Su***de Prevention Month, and if there is one thing I need you to hear it is this: You are not a burden. Please stay alive.

You are not alone in this fight. Lean onto those that see you for who you are. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you feel deeply alone. It can be so difficult to allow someone else in vulnerable moments. I’ve been there. But I find that most of the toil I feel heavy on my heart is me yearning to be seen, heard, and understood by those around me. There are people who value you and want to see you grow. You are more loved than you know. I promise you that.

If you love those close to you, let them know. Let them know as much as you can and SHOW them your love too. It’s so important 💕

You can find mental health resources + support at pleasestayalive.com.
I hope you stay 💐

07/08/2025

You deserve to rest, feel, and exist as you are—without performance or apology.

As I get older, the hustle no longer feels desirable. A slower paced life is a-okay! We deserve to be uncalloused by the circumstances of our lives. We deserve joy. We deserve COMFORT! Repeat that to yourself whenever you think otherwise. Allow yourself a moment of solace and breathe deeply, reminding yourself that a hardened life isn’t always the end game. That a soft life can be just as if not more fruitful and fulfilling.

In honor of BIPOC Mental Health Month, I’m sharing this message from TWLOHA. If you ever need to connect with mental health support, check out their FIND HELP Tool (with resources specifically for BIPOC Communities) and Mental Health Toolkit at mentalhealthtoolkit.co.

04/06/2025

“Devour Feculence. It means Eat💩”
I loved this line in Severance. Why should we as black folks and POC minimize our excellence for the comfort of others?

I found myself empathizing with Milchick frequently as his character arc unfolded. The work it must of taken to get where he was as a black man (and let’s be so forreal, I’m not quite sure how much of that work was honest lol) must have been overwhelming. It was crushing to watch because I know I’ve felt that way so many times before. To work your 🍑 off only to be told, that’s “not quite right” or “thats too much of_____” when you watched Sally W. do the same g-darn thing just a moment ago is fruuuuustrating! And you know they know, they just don’t want us being intelligent and “rebellious” enough to do something about it.

So cheers to a black man standing up for himself in the workplace, cheers to Emile for being the catalyst to Milchick’s dream coming to fruition, and cheers to the Severance team for capturing such a sensitive topic so well.

✨ I think the hardest and most fun part of creating this piece was emulating Lumon’s “We Care” lettering. It was such a good challenge and definitely the practice I needed to flex my lettering muscles again ✨

04/03/2025

Finding time to make things has felt a little silly lately. Like, what’s the point? Is anyone actually paying attention? The world is on fire and I’m expecting someone to pay attention to what I’ve got going on around here 🙃 And so lettering and illustrating kinda took a backseat… oops

BUT THEN I REMEMBERED! You’re doing this for yourself, dingus! Not anyone else. I mean, it’d be nice for someone to see what I’ve got going on and resonate with it, but honestly, I’m happiest when I’m making/creating and the joy that’s manifested simply by doing just that can be enough! It’s not always gonna feel that way, but it should be lol

I participated in today because I LOVE her work but also because her illustrations make it feel so easy to jump back into creating in a way that’s fun and playful.

I guess all of this is to say, just make things because you have the desire to, not because you have an obligation to show up to this whacky app and make things for people. If it makes you happy and is good for the people, what a bonus that is ✨

01/26/2025

Reposting this because of the genuine fear I see people expressing online right now. It’s okay to be fearful of what is yet to come—your fear is justified. It also sometimes feels like there’s nothing we can do in times such as these or we don’t know where to begin. Again, that feeling of helplessness is justified and a normal reaction to what we have been witnessing. However, I believe it is powerful when that overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and fear is turned into action directed at supporting the more vulnerable individuals in our communities. No, it doesn’t negate the negative that may land at our doorstep, but choosing to protect one another helps ease the fear for the journey ahead. It is also equally important to ask for help from trusted members of your community if you’re in need. Big emphasis on trust!!! Set aside pride and do what is necessary to protect you and your loved ones.

I’m thinking of you all and your safety. Let’s please support each other in the ways we can 💛

01/10/2025

Please please pleaaaaaaaase do the things you’ve been putting off. Commit to your daydreams. Live life in the moment without thinking about what your next big thing is. The future can be anything and our plans can literally change at a moments notice.

I started chipping away at this piece a few weeks ago in reflection of my life the past 10 years or so. Last year I was burnt out, exhausted by my full time job as a teacher of color, dealing with racial slurs targeted at me in classroom. And I was like “yooooo, this is not the life I worked hard for,” while also realizing that I genuinely didn’t give myself enough time to settle into my life. My 20’s came and went and I barely even noticed. Now I’m 31 and it’s like… huh? How’d we get here? Who are my real friends? What do I even enjoy doing??? Needless to say, 2024 was a wake up call for me to let go of what I thought my life should look like and actually start living it. I intend for that to change in the new year.

But now, as we are bear witness to so many tumultuous events, I wanted to add that it’s so important for you to acknowledge your place right now and that it can change literally at any time. My heart goes out to those that have lost their homes and are without shelter in L.A. To lose everything, memories and all, in the blink of an eye is unimaginable and I cannot imagine what that may feel like. Let’s help build each other up. Community is so imperative at this time. Continue to share resources to help build back some of what was lost.

Much love to you all! Stay safe. Dream big. Support each other ❤️

08/25/2024

Making things that make me happy like my sweet Turbo Tron. A big part of my self care these days has been allowing myself to do things that I love that I’ve been neglecting to nurture 🥲 Drawing for the fun of it was one of those things! This space has served many people along the way, to which I say thank you— I am so grateful that you found your way to my tiny corner. But this space has also served as a way for me to grow as an artist and I feel that I lost that joy and spark along the way.

All of this is to say, I love making mental health reminders but I also love drawing and lettering goofy, silly things and will be doing all of these from here on out. I’ll also be doing this at a pace that is healthy and doesn’t overstep my boundaries so I don’t get burnt out.

I hope you’re a-okay with buffoonery 💖

🏷️:

08/24/2024

It’s not weak to need help. Check out pleasestayalive.com for mental health resources and support.

You are not a burden. You are not alone in this fight. You belong even on the days when it feels like you don’t. While I don’t know all that you’ve gone through and may never understand, I know that asking for help when we need it most can be such a life-saving act. I personally know the feeling of helplessness + loneliness and how daunting it truly can be asking for help, but having the right resources and people to support you makes you so much stronger!

September is Su***de Prevention Month and I am so honored to have partnered with to create this piece for their campaign.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a nonprofit that exists to present hope + help to those facing mental health struggles. Check out their profile for a look at the life-saving work they’re doing in honor of Su***de Prevention Month.

Please stay alive.

05/25/2024

Such a cheerful pair 🍒✨
I’ll be teaching a course on how I get this fun texture in my work in during ! It’s a whole week of really neat courses from so many great artists and you should check it out. It’s also FREEEEEE! My course will be shown Wednesday, June 5th at 12pm PST/3pm EST. Sign up with the link in my bio and learn something new and cool June 3rd-7th 💖

05/21/2024

I have a lot of things on my mind these days but not the right words to articulate them in this space. The world can be so dark sometimes and it is right now for many people around the world. Palestine, Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, far too many places to count… my heart shatters knowing that the children I teach everyday have access to the cruelty of this world at their fingertips. And while they may be safe from the tragedies surrounding us globally, I fear for their wellbeing everyday that they enter my classroom not knowing if someone unsafe will walk into the room.

While I reflect on the impact I have on others, I remember how important it is to hold and foster community. To create safe spaces for those that need refuge, be a support for those that needed it most, a shoulder to cry on, a group to share our joys and achievements. I say this not to discredit the obvious harm we witness daily— I am of the understanding that even as a POC I too have the privilege of having this take. But I also think it so important that we continue to look within our own communities to build each other up and rise together.

I don’t have many answers. In fact, I do a lot more listening these days because much there is to learn and I’m ignorant to so much of it. But what I do know is that we must take care of the people we love most. It’s clear that we just don’t know how much time we have with them.

Inkus Dingus

11/13/2025

09/02/2025

07/08/2025

04/06/2025

04/03/2025

01/26/2025

01/10/2025

08/25/2024

08/24/2024

05/25/2024

05/21/2024

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