iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Sure, here’s a scribble of Akieryon (left) and Rahi (right, mildly spoilery) from back when I was first trying out procreate. Bestow hobbies upon them! #lithodgepodge

Two characters back to back, posed as though dancing. The front character wears a blue coat and blindfold, has auburn hair, and is holding magic in both hands—dark in the right hand and light in the left. The other character wears all black, has golden bangs with dark plumage behind, and is grinning over his shoulder at the other character. He has horns, a ridge down his skull, and fangs. In his bandaged right hand is a dagger. In his left is a key.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Artists, show how you draw flowers! 💐 Excuse the blurriness of the second pic, my phone camera was 💀dying💀

A watercolor sketch of a bearded iris in shades of blue and purple

A blurry photo of a small circular painting of an orange calendula flower. The painting fits in an open palm.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#characterart? Character art. I have not previously had much success with drawing Enci. Today he cooperated. I didn’t realize he had white eyelashes. Indistinct background Baleirithys because the two of them haunt each other. #ocsky #art #digitalart

A character with warm light brown skin, plumage (looks like hair) that is white at the front and charcoal at the back, wings, horns, pointed ears, and a ridge down the center of his head, facing away from a blurry background image of another winger character, this one with long crimson plumage and pale skin.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Cast yourself as a villain Unfortunately, I think it’s this guy: Klaus Wulfenbach, exasperated despot

A large ma with messy white hair, heavy eyebrows, visible stitches, and a craggy face with prominent nose holds a wrench over his head while gesturing angrily at a machine behind him.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Ah, in the photo it’s hard to tell that that’s a fang. Oh well. Here’s Tharaiyelagh. (And that’s plumage, not actually hair.) #sunsetchat

A scribbly ink portrait of a character with big eyes, pointed ears, horns, a little ridge down the center of the head, and a crooked grin showing one fang.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

If you see this, please post a picture from your device without explanation

Meme—the Dwarf in the Flask from Fullmetal Alchemist says “hey guys”, someone points and says “bitch in the bong!” Dwarf in the Flask replies “NOT WHAT I’M CALLED”

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

That’s why I wear this hat around my tiny town.

A nose-up pic of me, center I no the hat I’m wearing. It’s gray, with black, gray, white, and purple horizontal stripes and a circular patch of a knight with a rainbow flag, which reads “I am the storm and the rainbow after”

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Post a meme made by you Yes, it was me. I’m not sorry. #murderbottv

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Post your book covers! 📚💖 Art by me

Golden scales on a blue background, balancing two feathers, one white and one black, against an inkwell containing a bright light. Text reads “Balances” and “a journey of belonging” above and “Bethany Laurel” below.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

5.) Seikhiel, head of Combat Arts department, patient but exacting. Mistakes get you killed. (He loves tea.)

A line sketch of a character with straight hair, a round face, a scar like a third eye on his forehead, and a skeptical expression against a background of the asexual flag

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Authors: show me the book covers you made yourself, without AI. Drawn in procreate.

A gold scales on a blue background balancing two feathers, one white and one black, against an inkwell containing a brilliant light. Text reads “Balances” and “a journey of belonging” above and “Bethany Laurel” below.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

no cheating, post your lock screen. It has been this for years. And tagging @thephilfoglio.bsky.social for the ego boost

A phone Lock Screen (3:08pm, 43% charged) showing a brown haired character grinning and hugging a red haired character who is grimacing in pain. The characters are Gilgamesh Wulfenbach and Tarvek Sturmvoraus from the comic Girl Genius.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

If you see this, post a smiling OC! Unfinished doodle of [redacted] and Luccan. Luccan is not amused.

Somewhat sketchy ink line art of a long haired character with double fangs sitting on the shoulders of a scowling cat demon and grinning like it’s the best day of their life

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

This is exactly why I did this with my book cover!

A somewhat blurry photo of the lower corner of a book cover, showing the top of the barcode, which has three flags above it: progress pride flag, demisexual pride flag, and aromantic pride flag

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Qrp with how you draw women 💙✨️ I bet you didn’t expect Celes and Terra from #ff6 dressed sort of in Kingdom Hearts style.

A woman with long blond hair wearing a white coat, tall white boots, a dark blue zip up vest, and tan pants, facing a teal-haired woman wearing a sleeveless gray hooded vest over a red shirt with detached sleeves, gray shorts, three layers of stockings, and cuff-topped boots.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

All I have for this is Tempest (left) and Seikhiel (right). You’ll never guess which drawing is older. By a lot. Yeah, it’s a matter of familiarity with my art tools. Tempest is idk my 10th drawing with Procreate. Seikhiel is my ~3000th with CSP. #LGBTQwriteathon

A character with light brown skin, black hair with red roots, and green eyes grimacing in front of an aro pride flag. Text reads “do NOT be my Valentine. Ew.”

Pencil line art of a character with a round face, straight fine hair, and a scar on his forehead resembling a closed third eye looking skeptically to the side in front of an asexual pride flag textured with a feather pattern.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Hey #booksky, my upcoming release Balances is now available to request from Overdrive/Libby! #queerSFF

A screenshot of the search results on the Libby app, showing Balances, by Bethany Laurel, publishing 22 JUN 2026 (sic), with a fragment of the blurb showing

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

COVER REVEAL! Balances, in which a renegade Demonslayer crashes to earth, falls in with some humans, and finally finds what home means to him. Coming this June #booksky #indiebooks #queerSFF

A textured blue background with golden scales balancing two feathers, one white and one black, on the left against an inkwell containing a brilliant light on the right. Text reads “BALANCES” and “a journey of belonging” above and “Bethany Laurel” below.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

I’m pretty sure i took 60 seconds per character. I had to restart. The pencil I originally chose was not a good tool for rapid sketching. I didn’t count the time for adding green to Tempest’s eyes because Reasons. Tempest left, Akieryon right. Challenge mode: I was shaky from yard work #mememay

Messy sketch of two figures. Right has short, slightly scruffy hair, one eyebrow raised, and arms crossed. Left has long hair, green eyes, and is chewing one thumbnail.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Thanks to @marthawells.com i am thoroughly enjoying my birthday vacation.

The title page of a book, printed: Platform Decay, Martha Wells, Tor Publishing Group, New York. Written in ink below the author’s name: Happy Birthday Bethany. Author’s signature below that.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Cover reveal is set for May 11, but you can have a sneak peek. As a treat. #booksky

A textured blue background with text that reads “BALANCES” and “a journey of belonging”, with a hint of a golden object cropped below the text

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

My latest glorious act of defying god and nature: #norecipe #glutenfree apple oatmeal sticky buns. They have to cool before I can eat one :( #gfbaking

Irregularly shaped swirl buns with chunky filling

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

It’s more sophisticated than my writing setup, lol

A white iPhone SE on a red crochet blanket

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Post a mage ✨ Aro time mage, what crimes will he commit?

A character with light brown skin, black hair with crimson roots, green eyes, and facial tattoos. He’s making a disgusted face. The background is the aromantic pride flag. Text reads “do NOT be my valentine. Ew.”

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I draw my characters a lot, but I don’t have that many pics saved on my tablet. Have one Akieryon (with bonus Rahi), three Tempests, and a Caspar. #awesomecharacters

A guy with short auburn hair, a blue coat, and a blindfold wielding sparkly magic. He is back to back with a grinning dragonboy in black who holds a dagger in one hand and a key in the other. The pose looks like they’re dancing.

A man with olive brown skin and long black hair, all dressed in black, chewing the thumbnail of one bloody hand. He has tattoos around his eyes.

Same man as the previous pic, here he has crimson roots to his hair and a new mark on his forehead. He’s in front of an aromantic pride flag, making a face of disgust, with text that reads “do NOT be my valentine. Ew.”

A Black man with medium-short hair, bright yellow and green clothes, and a happy, enthusiastic expression talking to the black-haired man from before, who looks contented.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Apologies to all, I shall be useless until this potato decides that Blanket Cuddles Time is over. #cat #catsky #catsofbsky

Closeup photo of a gray cat under a white blanket looking contentedly toward the camera

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

#aromantic sentiment from Tempest this #vday. It’s ok, Tempest. Me, too. This drawing became “done enough” when my battery died. Whoops. Contains cryptic spoilers. #ocsky #aromanticcharacter #aro #myart #characterart #digitalart

A character with light brown skin, vivid green eyes, and bleach hair with red roots grimacing. The background is the aromantic pride flag. Text reads “do NOT be my valentine. Ew.”

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Had a whim to draw these two. Their situationship is ridiculous. #ocsky #ocart #lineart #wip #dragonfolk #myart

Line art of two dragonfolk who look like elves with horns, ridges, and wings. One is walking past in front of the other, who is watching him go.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

I’m sure there has to be a universe where “I’m hungry, let’s find out if I can make up a recipe for #glutenfree oatmeal cookie scones” is a normal and reasonable thought to have. #gfbaking #glutenfreegremlin

Irregularly shaped chocolate scones with butterscotch chips on a greedy sheet of baking parchment

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

This is Sir Percival. He does this whenever I talk to him. #cat #catsofbsky too early for #caturday

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

If you see this, we IMPLORE you to post a picture from whatever device you're using without explanation.

A man with light brown skin, long black hair, and green eyes. He’s dressed all in black and covered in blood, chewing his bloody thumbnail.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I present to you… A NIZE HAT Drop some HATS 🧢👩‍🍳🖤👩‍🌾👒

Gilgamesh Wulfenbach from the comic Girl Genius, wearing a giant hat that says “GILGEMESH WULFENBACH, schmott guy!” He is shouting: “Yes. It’s really me. Yes, I’m really back. I am not a spy–I am not an imposter–And I am not amused”

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Here, have some old art of Caspar (left) and Marek (right). These are two of Tempest’s friends. …iirc I was playing around with new art materials here. #dailyocs #ocart #traditionalart #myart #writesky #writingcommunity

A worried-looking man with dark brown skin resting his forehead against the forehead of a tired-looking pale man with orange hair. They’re looking into each other’s eyes.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

I heard it was Appreciate a #dragon day so I sketched Tharaiyelagh and North. Don’t worry about it. #OC #characterart #traditionalart #myart

A dragonboy with long golden bangs and backward-pointing horns looking up at a serpentine dragon with an opal eye

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

I promise that if enough people enjoy #Balances, I’ll make an edition that includes a recipe for the apple cheese soup that Tempest’s innkeeper friend makes. (Shown here with gluten free biscuit made with Penzeys justice seasoning, since we could all use a little more justice right now.)

A bowl of thick cheesy soup with chunks of apple and onion. A piece of biscuit is near the edge of the bowl.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

My first attempt at using procreate is also my only art of Akieryon on my tablet. The dragonboy behind him doesn’t appear until a later story. I should draw more, but I’m still fine-tuning the cover image right now. #bluepithype #myart

A character with auburn hair wilding darkness and light magic back to back with a character with horns and fangs who has a dagger in one hand and a key in the other. Redhead is blindfolded. Dragonboy has a bandage on one hand. The pose looks like they’re dancing.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

I baked a #glutenfree fruitcake for national fruitcake day, and now it’s been soaking in rum for three days. Am I doing this right? I’ve never had fruitcake before.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Ok done, now to make the second one.

A hand wearing the striped knitting as a glovelet that covers from wrist to knuckles

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

#adhd #fibercrafting today: every 5-10 minutes I’m switching between the spindle and the knitting, with frequent breaks from both.

A spindle with red yarn on it beside knitting needles with a small piece of ribbed knitting striped in blue, purple, gold, and green.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Sir Percy says I’m not allowed to work on this blanket now. #cat #fibercraft #crochet

A gray cat with white whiskers looking at the camera as though glaring. He is lying on a striped crochet blanket in shades of blue and purple.

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Bethany Laurel @bethanylaurel.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Why do I experience rage when #homespun is used to mean rough spun? I spun this yarn on a drop spindle. Yes, all of it. #fibercraft #handmade #fibergremlin #petpeeve

A close photo of zigzag crochet stripes in shades of red and black

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