iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Progress on my large painting, in the midst of working on a smaller commission. My home state is currently requiring ID verification to use Bluesky which is very annoying. I'm out of state at the moment but posts might be fewer and further between for a bit. #art #painting #fineart #ocean #noai

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Some more progress on this painting. The details are really time consuming but worth it. It's a good opportunity to slow down #art #painting #ocean #gallery #collector #fineart #noai #traditionalart #project #progress #update

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Second pass on the water, slowly consuming the looser first pass It's been a couple weeks since I've been in front of the easel. Felt good #art #painting #water #keywest #blue #fineart #collector #gallery #traditionalart #noai

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

So the Beatles are officially bigger than Jesus. #colbert

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

It's been a really weird year, and I've spent the last couple weeks coming down from an arc that finally (I hope) wrapped up. I also finally got this piece off my easel. I'm not sure what to call it yet but I'm happy with how it came out. #art #painting #drawing #ink #updates #fineart #gallery

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

My sibling is in a really tough spot. They love their cats immensely and are looking for good homes. If you're interested in adopting please reach out! They've posted each cat on the thread below. US based

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Everyone please remember to teach your pets about the arts. #art #painting #scifi

A photo of a stuffed blue alien in a yellow beret set up in front of a painting, holding a brush

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I just (finally) got my Venmo business account set up for selling paintings, so I thought maybe now was a good time for a little reintroduction. Here's some work from a recent series - it focuses on small, quiet moments, and gentle love. #art #painting #collector #texas #sanantonio #beauty

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Reposted by darkmatterpaintbrush

darkmatterediting @darkmatterediting.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I just finished The Will of the Many by James Islington and wow I'd be so mad if I didn't have The Strength of the Few ready to go #books #reading #writing #fantasy

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

This painting didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it to, but that's fitting. I put a lot of anger into it on purpose. I'm not sure if I should sell it or keep it around for a while. YET TO COME, 2026 Julia i.e. Gignac. 16"x20" acrylic on canvas #painting #art #gallery #collector #texas

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

I've tried changing every Gmail setting I can think of and I still can't disable these stupid "help me refine" suggestions. Whyyyyyyyyy

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Second pass on the face, shirt, and arm. The light through the eyelashes is one of my personal favorite sections to date #art #painting #project #wip #fineart #gallery #collector #sanantonio #texas

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I can confirm that @scalzi.com is just as nerdy and funny in person and @marthawells.com is just as kind as you think This was at the San Antonio Public Library. Remember to support your public library and also oppose book bans!

John Scalzi and I (brown hair, glasses) standing next to each other with a copy of Redshirts sitting on the table in front of us

Martha Wells seated ready to sign a book, across from a woman with brown hair

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Fueling up to go see @scalzi.com and @marthawells.com at the central library in San Antonio Not pictured: dog asking very politely for bacon

A pan with two frying eggs on a stovetop.

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Friday painting 🎨 First pass done. Stay tuned for the final product. Eventually it'll be on view at Mildfire Coffee in San Antonio with some of my other work #art #painting #friday #gallery #collector #fineart #sanantonio #coffee #sunlight #acrylic

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

So there's even more going on now but this is my first half-day of work on my current painting #art #painting #portrait #hair #color #fineart #gallery #collector #sanantonio #texas

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

So there's a lot of crazy stuff going on right now. Uh. Here's the sketch of a new painting, I guess #art #painting #portrait #project #fineart #gallery #texas #sanantonio #collector

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I love doing 4 hours of down-ballot research for the Texas primary 🫠 early voting is going on now, and even if you just vote for US Senate and House, you should do that. And if you're insane like me you can bring a super long notes sheet for the rest. #midterms #texassenate #talarico #earlyvoting

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Just realized I never posted the final product of this painting. OCEAN'S ORIGIN, acrylic on canvas, 11"x14", 2026. Julia i.e. Gignac ~$295, on display at Mildfire Coffee Roasters #art #painting #fineart #gallery #collector #ocean #hands #update #sanantonio #texas

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Reposted by darkmatterpaintbrush

darkmatterediting @darkmatterediting.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

2500 words on my first draft today in my favorite coffee shop (where my art is displayed, incidentally - see it @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social) One of the first times on this manuscript where things have flowed easily. #books #writing #editing #querying #amwriting #scifi #fantasy #coffee

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

A little over halfway done. The texture of sand up close is always a challenging one. #art #painting #hands #beach #fineart #gallery #collector #sanantonio #texas #sanfrancisco

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Second pass on the hands. The one on the left will eventually be covered by flecks of sand so it had an interesting quality at this stage. #art #painting #hands #beach #fineart #gallery #collector #sanantonio #texas

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

AFTER WORK SUNSHINE, ©2025 Julia i.e. Gignac. 12"x12", acrylic on recycled canvas. Newly available from my private collection, ~$250. On view at Mildfire Coffee in San Antonio #art #painting #coffee #gallery #collector #fineart #sustainability #texas #sanantonio #virginia #dc #update

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

SATURDAY, FOREVER, acrylic on canvas 12"x12", ©2026 Julia i.e. Gignac Second painting of 2026. Hope everyone is staying warm #art #painting #winterstorm #texas #weekend #gallery #collector #fineart #sanantonio #jeans #hands #light #traditionalart

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Freaking chilly day! First pass on the hands. I was just thinking, one of these paintings, (especially a custom comission) would make a pretty cool Valentine's day gift #art #painting #beauty #fineart #gallery #collector #winterstorm #sanantonio #texas #hands #valentinesday

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Progress on this painting (wow I need to update more regularly) Everyone else in TX stay warm and drip your pipes. Ted Cruz flew the coop so we know it's gonna be bad... #art #painting #texas #winterstorm #politics #gallery #sanantonio #fineart #collector #hands #clothes

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

LAND'S END, acrylic on canvas, 11"x14", 2025. On display for a few more days before being shipped to its new owner #painting #art #gallery #beach #sanantonio #fineart #sanfrancisco

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

So, I'm also a writer, and I'm getting started as a developmental editor for SFF. Below is my account. I'll continue posting art and general stuff here - writing and editing stuff will go there

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Painting progress over the next few days. This one was unusual. I wasn't in the mood to paint skin tones on the first day, so instead of starting with the figures as usual, I started with the background. Check back in for more and the final product #art #painting #hands #collector #gallery #fineart

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

My first painting of 2026, HOLY MACCHIATO. Soon to be on view and for sale at Mildfire Coffee in San Antonio, TX. $250 #art #painting #coffee #sanantonio #texas #collector #fineart #gallery #traditionalart #local

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Trying to get started as a developmental and query letter editor. Currently getting kicked in the teeth by karma requirements on Reddit. Make an account, kids. Don't be a lurker for eight years. Lol #querying #editing #reddit #writing #scifi #fantasy

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Today I sold a painting about five minutes after I installed it at my new show. Sometimes life is good The painting in question - St. Patrick's Day. Sold to a man named Patrick #art #painting #collector

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

After a few months hiatus, a little study. Ink on paper, about 30 minutes total I've been in the weeds of editing a manuscript the past six-ish weeks. This was a nice break. #art #painting #ink #red #figure #beauty #holidays

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

One more day on the back. Many of the pigments I used to build up the shadows are completely transparent and require several glazes to create a skin texture #art #painting #project #progress #update #woman #beauty #color #fineart #collector #gallery #blue #wip

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

First pass on the face, back, and arm. It's always interesting to see the different transparencies of paints on the first pass #art #painting #project #progress #update #women #beauty #autumn #fineart #gallery #collector #color

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

HOMECOMING, ©2025 Julia i.e. Gignac. Ink on paper. A small painting of my partner's dog. She's moving in the reference picture and I'm happy with how that motion was captured #art #painting #dogs #blue #eastcoast #autumn #ink #fineart #gallery

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

I got some vaccines this morning so I'm pretty out of it but I've been keeping active with some short sketches and an audiobook. This one was photo-referenced. #art #sketch #fabric #beauty #fineart #collector #gallery #books #fall #traditionalart #sanantonio #berkeley

©2025 Julia i.e. Gignac
Figurative pencil sketch

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darkmatterpaintbrush @darkmatterpaint.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

A semi-blind contour sketch of the view from my hotel room on vacation. Virginia Beach before a hurricane #art #painting #sketch #ink #ocean #beach #virginiabeach #eastcoast #travel #vacation #rest #updates #beauty #summer

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