iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

FUN FACT: #ChainsmokerCat is a gross, strange and often perverse dark comedy about addiction and societal discrimination… … And I’ve been watching every episode since the series dropped. I’ve liked it so much that I realized #ceilingcat needed to meet #yanineko. 🖌️ - Frankentoon Manga Ka & Round

A parody illustration of the infamous meme “Ceiling Cat”, which replaces the cat with a catgirl named Yani Neko from the series Yani Neko/Chainsmoker Cat. Yani, a caucasian Cat girl with orange eyes and greenish tinged hair, is sticking her head out from a hole in the wall or ceiling with one cat ear passing the border. She has a cigarette in her mouth and a feline like smirk on her face. Next to her is hand written kanji, which is believed to translate to: “Please light it, meow.”

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

It may be silly to mourn a celebrity passing, but Sam Neill’s is one that hits different. It’s not just because he played Dr. Ian Grant in Jurassic Park. He was a legitimately great performer who lit up a large or small role. Pour one out for one of the best. www.npr.org/2026/07/13/n...

npr.org

Sam Neill, known for 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano,' dies at 78, his family says

In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neill died on Monday in Sydney, according to a statement posted to the acto...

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

The temperatures we’re dealing with in the US doesn’t compare to what France is dealing with right now… … But with that said, this is what my area of New England has felt like whenever I step outside or feel the heat blowing through a window. #newengland #weather #summerheat

A scene from BBC’s apocalyptic TV movie “THREADS”: An E.T. doll is set ablaze amongst burning rubble in shades of orange and red fire as the doll burns into a blackened, charred state. “Ouch.”

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

In other news, I decided to temporarily shut down my website: brentonbarnes.com. Since any freelance has been extremely inconsistent since the end of last year, I can’t justify the cost of Squarespace. I’m looking into alternative platforms to maintain my web presence. Any recommendations?

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Thanks to @gillianfbarnes.bsky.social for letting me know that my hash tag was spelled incorrectly on yesterday’s post. Returning to any kind of social media is an important reminder to draft and double check your posts. Unless you want to end your posts to end up like this:

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

@gillianfbarnes.bsky.social & I have finally getting around to checking out the adaptation of #WitchHatAtelier. I read the first three volumes a few years ago; So far I’m very impressed with how visually faithful it is and its book motif presentation is ingenious! Just look at this, oh my gah.

static.klipy.com

ALT:

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

While being asked to watch #HouseOfTheDragon by @gillianfbarnes.bsky.social… ME: “OK, but I’m watching the Pee Wee Herman documentary while sewing while we have HBO.” HER: “…That’s the most masculine thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

static.klipy.com

Kp0 Surprise Reaction

ALT: Kp0 Surprise Reaction

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

“You’re back on BlueSky, what’s on your mind?” I’ve been thinking about this saying: “In spite of everything, its still you.” How sure of that are we? I don’t know about anyone else, but post-pandemic my life changed to the point where my former self “appears” unrecognizable to me.

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Reposted by Brenton Barnes

Gillian F. Barnes @gillianfbarnes.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

These two (drawn by @brentonbarnes.bsky.social) look to have gotten into something too adult. Hope they come down soon 😅

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Just experienced this while driving this morning. #SPOTIFY: Hey, I know you’re trying to listen to music. Uh, something came up, can go into offline mode? #iBROADCAST: You want to listen to something? I got you brother! No delays, listen away! One costs money, the other doesn’t. #virginvschad

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

This is such a superfluous thing, but it’s shocking to see how many music visualizer apps on iPhone seem to require a subscription to a music service in order to “work”. #DAPs made by FIIO and Sony have this as a feature, but meanwhile I have to pay $11 a month to have the lesser of this:

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Believe it or not, this is one of the first things I’ve drawn this year in #Procreate. I came across some photographs of a tuxedo cat dressed up as a #Palico costume from the #MonsterHunter series and just couldn’t resist drawing them up in my #sketchbook. 🖌️ - Manga-ka by #Frankentoon

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

🎶 Hey, hey, whaddya say? Take a look, it’s #portfolioday! 🎶 If you’re looking for an artist with graphic novel sensibilities with strong organic linework, I’m your guy! I’ve designed a mascot, characters, music albums, posters, comics and I’d like to do even more! #hireme www.brentonbarnes.com

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

My wife @gillianfbarnes.bsky.social is currently working on a novel that I was lucky enough to read the first pass on. It was a good idea then and it’s an even better one now that she’s had time to focus on it. #bluepit

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

I’m glad that my daughter is watching and enjoying #sesamestreet, but let me ask the parents something. Do you exist, working and minding your own business, when all of the sudden from out of nowhere you hear: 🎶 LETTER OF THE DAY / WHICH ONE’S THE LETTER OF DAY 🎶 tenor.com/lA70nLLhgMp....

tenor.com

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Q: “It’s been three months. What have you been up to?” A: “Well, with my return to social media, I’m here to tell you that it’s time to reject humanity and return to monke with a cassette player.” 🖌️ - Sketch Kit by #frankentoon #sketchbook #procreate #masterstudy #sonywalkman

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

#PiDay is almost over, but its never too late to acknowledge the song “Pi” by Hard N’ Phirm. It’s also never too late to acknowledge I learned about this song from #YTMND and this band did an amazing country western melody of Radiohead songs called “Rodeohead”! youtu.be/XanjZw5hPvE?...

youtu.be

Hard 'N Phirm "Pi" Dir: Keith Schofield

YouTube video by keithschofield

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

… And last night, I drew up Bert’s long time friend. (Because everyone needs one and my friend suggested to draw him next.) Did I spend too much time on this again? Possibly, who’s to say? 🖌️ - Sketch Kit by #frankentoon #sesamestreet #artistsky #sketchbook #digitalsketchbook

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Since my daughter has been getting into #SesameStreet, I thought it’d be fun to draw up an iconic character in my digital sketchbook. Admittedly, I may have spent too much time on this but when you’re having a good time… 🖌️ - Sketch Kit by #Frankentoon #artistsky #sketchbook #digitalsketchbook

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

In my pocket of the universe, it often feels like no one talks about anything they’re enjoying. But do you know what I’m enjoying right now on audiobook? THE SHADOW GLASS is an (auditory) page turner of modern fantasy that I’m sorry I slept on for the last three years. #booksky #theshadowglass

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I’ve been using #Procreate for quite some time and do my best to keep up with updates and features. Their worst feature? Page Assist. I ❤️ the idea of sketchbooks in Procreate, but one layer to do anything? Get out of here. I just found out today you can GROUP layers while using Page Assist.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

If you’ve got quite the collection of #Kindle books, you’ve got six days to download them using a Kindle app on your computer and back them up. This is as good as a time as any to consider alternative marketplaces that provide DRM free copies of ebooks. #ebooks #drmfree tinyurl.com/y7ztxhxy

tinyurl.com

Amazon’s killing a feature that let you download and backup Kindle books

It’s bad if you like to keep ebook backup copies.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Despite having my Liene Photo & Sticker Printer & Cutter since mid-January, I wasn’t able to take it for a test run until this evening. What did we test out? How about !black and white #DavidLynch heads? So far, I’m impressed. I can’t wait to use this more and I’m glad I kickstarted it!

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I just finished watching #TheSubstance with @gillianfbarnes.bsky.social. This was the cinematic equivalent of being dragged across rough terrain laced with glass and debris and flipped over to be dragged back the way I came. They DO NOT make movies like this very often and that’s a GOOD THING.

media.tenor.com

a man in a green shirt is sitting at a table with the words nod of approval written on his face .

ALT: a man in a green shirt is sitting at a table with the words nod of approval written on his face .

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Ah yes, remember from 2002 - 2010 when owning the full spectrum of Copic Markers was an illustrator’s dream for the ultimate art supply? I remember when these were SCARCE and your options were either to import it or purchase at an anime con. #artistsonbluesky #copicmarkers #digitalartists #memes

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

On that same note, @lecinenerd.bsky.social I have a story to share with you about “The Secret of NIMH”. This past Christmas, my wife and I found that film on DVD in perfect condition at a Savers. She insisted we show it to our two year old daughter, as its one of her favorite films. (1/??)

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

When it comes to podcasts I listen to, #thirtytwentyten has a three month back log I need to catch up on. I’m catching up with this year’s episodes and in this strange and uncertain times, it is a source of ABSOLUTE JOY thanks to its hosts Chris Antista, JR Ralls and Diana Goodman.

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Reposted by Brenton Barnes

Maureen Johnson @maureenjohnsonbooks.com · 30/01/2025

ME: *sits at desk and works* Just focus. Just focus. Don't look around. Do NOT look around. THE NEWS:

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

“You know what would be a good idea? Actually cataloguing the artists and albums in my music collection to Spotify so it’s fully represented.” He thought one day. It was a task he had put off for years, taking full advantage of the platform was a recent development.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Nobody: The perfect manga doesn’t exist. Suzushiro: Hold my beer… #mangasky #comicsky

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

As I suspected, screen tones did in fact do this drawing of #DavidLynch some good! 🖌️ - Beat Tones by @truegrittexture.bsky.social #artistsonbluesky #artistsky #madeinprocreate #procreate

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Decided to draw up the dearly departed #DavidLynch in my Procreate sketchbook with @truegrittexture.bsky.social’s The Rusty Nib’s Crumb Nib & Super Dry Brush. Toning will do this some good and it may be a good excuse as any to try my new gel plate coming in & testing my new Liene Sticker printer.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Last night, I cracked open Patrick Horvath’s “Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees”. While I love the idea of a Slyvania/Calico Critters-esque town experiencing a murder, I have to wonder how many stories we need with a serial killer protagonist in a post-Dexter world. #booksky #amreading

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

My first completed book of 2025 was an unexpected surprise: #TheMothKeeper. I was drawn in by its cover and premise of community and responsibility. Then I was sucked in by its artwork, page layouts and visual storytelling & calming atmospheric story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #booksky #amreading

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

"It's cold, snow and ice are on the ground and I have to drive slowly to work across untreated rural roads. What would be the perfect soundtrack?" Inspiration comes from unexpected places and you don't find great music, it finds you instead. #musicoftheday #davidlynch #crazyclowntime

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

In case you weren't aware, #CriterionChannel has made "David Lynch: The Art Life" available to watch for free since his passing. I've been meaning to watch this for some time and it was fascinating and transfixing to hear stories from David Lynch & work on paintings. tinyurl.com/mwy2v7um

tinyurl.com

David Lynch: The Art Life

Directed by Jon Nguyen, Rick Barnes, and Olivia Neergaard-Holm • 2016 • United States, Denmark A rare glimpse into the mind of one of cinema’s most enigmatic visionaries, DAVID LYNCH: THE ART LIFE of...

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

I meant to say this yesterday, but pour out a cup of coffee and have a slice of cherry pie. We lost one of the greatest directors of our time. David Lynch was a true artist in every sense of the word and the world is a less interesting place without him in it. #restinpower #davidlynch

media.tenor.com

a man wearing sunglasses says that if you can believe it it 's a friday once again

ALT: a man wearing sunglasses says that if you can believe it it 's a friday once again

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

A friend of mine asked if I’d be interested in creating a profile picture for their DJing profile on Instagram. I offered to take it on and took it to the next level. She got a full blown illustration to add to her gallery to promote herself! #artistsonbluesky #illustrator #artcommissions

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

I got seventeen days into #Whamageddon before I made a trip to WHAMHALLA this year. My co-worker’s radio did me in when I recognized the soft guitar at the start. I didn’t tell her about it, so everyday was WHAM! Roulette from 8:30 - 5 PM. Believe it or not, she didn’t know about the game either.

media.tenor.com

a man in a reindeer costume is holding a gift

ALT: a man in a reindeer costume is holding a gift

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

I’m trying to find more time in the day to get back to making quality pieces like I used to… But sometimes all you have time for is your daughter’s Crayola Crayons and the jumbo newsprint drawing pad to help with entertaining her.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Anyone on BlueSky playing #Whamageddon for the season? I’ve been a yearly participant since I learned about it from the #LaserTime podcast. It’s been four days since it started and I’m still safe… for the time being.

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

On another note: despite becoming a father two years ago and very used to the daily routine, I still take for granted how much time I have to be creative on a day to day basis. And that’s if I don’t want to abuse my much needed sleep schedule (which, sadly, I often do).

media.tenor.com

a poster that says welcome to the life of creative night owls .

ALT: a poster that says welcome to the life of creative night owls .

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Brenton Barnes @brentonbarnes.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been working on a commission for a friend’s DJing Instagram. Since I like to show and not tell, here’s a preview for you. 🖌️ - Chromagraph by #truegrittexturesupplyco Made in #Procreate #illustration #illustratorsonbluesky

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