iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Post your profile pic My partner and me drawn in the style of #LowerDecks #startrek #selfportrait #digitalart

digital art depicting a woman with pink hair in a blue lab coat and uniform tapping at a device in her hand. Next to her stands a stout fellow with long brown hair drawn back into a ponytail. He wears glasses like the woman and has a mustache and beard (unlike the woman). His uniform is yellow.

The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

@mattkeyz.bsky.social was my 800th follower recently (thank you to all my new follows!) and as a gift, I asked if he had a request. He wanted a jack’o lantern to keep the spooky season going. To promote that and simultaneously battle the pervasive slop this season, I created this! #jackolantern

Photo of a marker art piece in a sketchbook of a goofy-faced jack o’ lantern prying off his lid to show off his pristinely smooth brain. Underneath his lid it reads Ai is for smooth brains.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

If you see this, show your orange art🔶️✨️ Elliot~ 👽 #et #80smovies #inkmonth #stevespielberg #halloweencandy lol

Inspired by the movie E.T. This is a photo of a drawing rendered in ink, marker, and colored pencil of a dimly lit hallway framing an alien hand reaching out toward some candies on the floor.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

We got teased by a bit of Autumn but were thrust right back into “Indian Summer”. I want the cold weather back! I wanna bake and eat hearty crockpot meals 😋 #watercolor #slowcooker #foodart

A photo of a watercolor painting of a slow cooker surrounded by vegetables. The slow cooker is in a vintage avocado with an tan crock. It says “slow life”.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Artist! Quote with your city art! Pair of Batman posters made for the Ty-We charity convention in Harrisonville, MO to (at the time) fund a family whose son was afflicted with childhood cancer. He's survived (yay!) and now the convention proceeds provide art scholarships for students in the county!

Digital art in the style of Batman: The Animated series from the 90s featuring Batguy, Mr. Snowglobe, Clownface, and Consummate Politician Man. (Batman, Mr. Freeze, Joker, Two-face)

Digital art in the style of Batman: The Animated Series featuring Fangirl, Joker Must Be Ace, Ex Girlfriend, and I Can Change Her Gal. (Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy)

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I nibble on snacks to keep me focused while I’m working on art. Crunchy snacks and variety works best. I have smoked gouda pretzels, smoked almonds, toffee pretzels, and a pumpkin spice tea. Not asking so much what keeps you focused but when it comes to snacks; do you like one flavor or a variety?

A photo of snacks on a desktop; milk tea, pretzels, and nuts next to a desktop drawing tablet.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

If you see this, post some cats 😸 One of my favorite subjects :) #arttrain #catsky #traditionalart

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Woo! Congrats on 3.2K and thanks for hosting an artshare. I'm The-Z, a multidisciplinary artist out of KC. I'm mostly occupied with my comic but I love making fanart and silly lil guys. Happy Halloween, spooks! Remember that art is for everyone!

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

You're invited to the Bluesky Halloween party. Show off your costume. Snake auntie~

An anime still from Dara-san of Reiwa featuring two children around a campfire with a half-snake woman with six arms in the center minding a pot over the fire.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I've been hard at work on the comic since Art Fight. Chapter 3 debuts this week. Be my guest and have a look. I hope you enjoy it! (Draw the Squad credit: Mugges) #comic #webcomic

A digital image based on a Draw the Squad meme (credit: Mugges) in which the Monkey King has a device held up to take a selfie. He is roughly pulling a shellshocked priest into frame. Meanwhile, a blue skinned demon threatens a pig man in the background behind them.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Some ink doodles from #OCtober , past rpg and comic characters. I have a ninja, a sea fae, a summoner, a bard, a Clavat jounalist, and a samurai penguin. #ocs #sketchbook #finalfantasy #ttrpg

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Head hanging over the side of the bed, snoring “zeep zeep zeep” with his tongue in minor blep… this old man is enjoying these rainy days. #kaiserthecorgi #dogsky #corgicrew

A photo of a tricolor corgi sleeping on a bed with his head hanging over the side and tongue out.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Had some uninterrupted time at the library away from chores and obligations so I picked up a magazine and drew a horse from reference. The coloring is Crayola Swirled colored pencils I picked up on Woot for a couple dollars. 🪙 Ko-Fi.com/TheDashZ #horse #traditionalart #equine #sketchbook

Photo of a sketchbook page with a galloping horse rendered in ink surrounded by soft cloudy colored pencils in varying hues.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The kids and I had an arty party over the weekend and drew random characters from a character selector. I put ten minutes on the timer and some AC:NL music, then off we went! I wish I could show you the kids' versions. They did great! #fanart #nickelodeon #hannabarbera #cartoons #artexercise

A photo of a page of pencil sketches. From top and clockwise, Piri piri from Harvey Beakman; a cartoon anthropomorphic chick(?) in a beret and scarf with a nimbus of bouncy curls. Marf... a um thing. He looks like those coin eating banks to me or a little toaster with wheels. He's a tiny robot cube freak dude who looks like he's having a blast. Next is Carlos Casagrande, a profoundly dad coded dude in a cardigan and khakis. Finally is the failed attempt to draw Penelope Spectra. I was stymied I didn't leave myself enough room, I think. I really want to draw her as a past her prime sexy mom with muffin top and all.

A photo of a pencil sketch of Yogi Bear. He looks like another cartoon bear cosplaying Yogi. He's holding up a pic i nic basket.

A photo of a pencil drawing of Snap from Chalkzone, a very simplified-- think child's drawing, character resembling a generic masked superhero. He gave me big Mr. Game N Watch vibes and I think that comes across in his pose.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Some Pathfinder-style goblins drawn on commish for a long time client. These guys are just a blast to draw! #dnd #pathfinder #ttrpg #fantasyart

Digital full figure illustrations of a number of different goblins representing their jobs as warrior, sneak, chanter, shaman, and commando (he's not wearing underwear).

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Past commish from a long-time client of a crunchy tabletop character named Mercy who always seemed to have something to say (none of it kind). If you had a retort, you could tell it to her hammer. #oc #characterportrait

A digital character portrait of a tough looking blond girl with streaks of pink and lilac in her loosely braided hair. She is seated on a cartoonishly large battle hammer with her hands braced behind her knees that are covered in spiked kneepads. Her boots are mismatched, one of which has a hole in it, and several metal stakes are carried in a brace on her left thigh.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Sidewalk siblings Part of a wide fairy ring that pops up every couple seasons on my walk. The largest caps are almost the size of dinner plates. #mushrooms #thingsonmywalk

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In anticipation of Spook Season, a new vampire just dropped and he was so adorable I couldn't resist making a little comic. Support more silliness? 💵 Patreon.com/NinjaMonkey 🫙 ko-fi.com/thedashz #comic #halloween #plushie #penguin #fatbearweek

A photo of a cute plush penguin with vampire fangs, bow tie, and a cape.

A four panel digital wordless comic depicting a tiny penguin in a cape clumsily walking toward a dopey polar bear that is standing still.

A seven panel digital comic, mostly wordless, depicting the little caped penguin finishing his walk toward the polar bear, aggressively pointing at him while the bear reacts with a "?", and then the penguin pitifully asks for uppies.
The polar bear picks it up and the penguin dives for the polar bear's neck. The bear appears shocked when the penguin (intentionally underplayed) bites his neck with a soft "chu". The final panel has the polar bear with a relaxed grin and leaning away from the penguin encouragingly. The bear drawls, "Man, I don't know what's going on but... you don't gotta stop!"

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Hoodie on a Blowfish. - 🐡 - 🐡 - 🐡 - 🐡 - #art #sketch #fishsky 💵 Patreon.com/NinjaMonkey 🫙 ko-fi.com/thedashz

Digital sketch of an anthropomorphic blowfish in a hoodie, baggy sweats, and sneakers.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I’ll have to snap a photo of how utterly pathetic Kai looks whdn I’m cooking (because no one feeds him, you know). In the meantime

An edited photo of a dog looking up in happy anticipation with his tongue hanging out. A red circle has been added with the words “food goes here” on his tongue.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

He was waiting SO PATIENTLY for his pal to come out of work last night. Possibly with french fries. #kaisertgecorgi #corgicrew #dogsky #openlate

A corgi watching out an open car door window.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Felt like shit the last time around, too, but people had a pretty short memory.

Screenshot of a social media post from Jess Piper that reads:

Jess Piper
Aug 9
They've been conducting mass deportations for almost 2 years. Did that make finding a job easier?
Did your rent go down?
They overturned Roe V Wade. Did that give women paid maternity leave?
They have defunded public schools and teachers.
Has that improved your child's education?
They have attacked trans people for years. Did that make them charge the men in the Epstein files?
They started a new forever war. Did that make your gas prices go down?
They dismantled the federal government. Did that make your food safer or your groceries cheaper?
Republicans are in charge of the Presidency, Congress, Senate, and Scotus. Is your life better now?

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Indulging in stupid ideas tonight. Oda Nobunugget. According to my eldest, you dip him in sweet and samurai sauce. #nuggies

A digital image of an anthropomorphic chicken mcnugget character in a grayish green helmet and red robes.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

TY! I was commissioned for children's book (meant as a memorial) in which the main character was a rhino who worked hard for everyone and rarely took time to enjoy life for himself. He was the first thing that came to mind for this challenge :) It's a shame the client lost interest in the project.

Colored pencil and ink pen artwork depicting a semi-realistic rhino sitting upright in a patch of grass. It is holding a raspberry delicately in his front toepads, bringing it to his mouth. A pair of plain-looking birds rest on his head and shoulder.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

He looks like he's investigating something good!

A loose sketchy 1 minute rhino with a cartoonishly intrigued expression.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Sleeping in a narrow sunbeam in his customary spot against the wall, frequently tap dancing as he dozes and dreams. #corgi #dogsky #corgicrew

A tricolor corgi laying on his side with his legs braced against a wall. He is giving the paparazzi some expectant side-eye after his nap was interrupted.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Family visited a rural Antique Mall over the weekend and I am obsessed with these chairs! They have such a bizarre late 90s/00s Edutainment vibe to them. Partner says they look like thumbprints. Kinda want to design a whole room around ‘em. #furnishings #interiordesign

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

My profile page is kinda weird today.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Processing a lot of grief, so it’s hard to be on socmeds right now with the constant reminders. However, this reaction frame from an anime series I was watching gave me a much needed giggle. #anime #frontierlord

A still from the anime series “Frontier Lord with Zero Subjects” in which a mature, fair haired man has an overwhelmed, cat-like stare at an astounding sight before him.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Been busy all day trying to wring the last bit of fun out of Sumner before school begins so I haven’t been able to post this photo from my morning dog walk. Found a discarded memo. I love the notion of “unreasonable hospitality“! The dog shadow is Kaiser lol. #onmywalk #kaiserthecorgi

A photo illuminated by the morning sun focusing on a note draped on an arm which reads, “snack mix stuff, flower s, unreasonable hospitality “
A shadow of a dog walking on a leash can be seen on the background.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Mah monkey got an owie. Working on a new pages of my comic. bsky.app/profile/ninj... #artshare #wip

Digital art featuring a cartoon monkey sitting upright and huddled up in pain as he licks his bloody knuckles pitifully.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I’m used to August heat waves in the Midwest but I sure hate having to wake up before the sun to walk the dog. Corgis and hot pavement do not go well together— especially old corgis. He’s worth it.

A tricolor corgi loafing around on a bed.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Who remembers Shirt Tales? There were so many cutesy character mascots in the 80s. I frequently confuse characters from this series and Get Along Gang even though they were years apart. Both were owned by greeting card companies. #80scartoons #hallmark #fanart

A photo of an artist sketch card featuring five cartoon animal characters drawn in ink and colored in marker. From the top left and clockwise is a tiger boy, a raccoon boy, a monkey boy at the bottom right, a mole boy at the bottom left, and in the center a panda girl.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Listening to old RPG music reminds me of one of the "big" art projects I did after having my second child. I think I did better at keeping up with my art after #2 but I still panicked I might never recover my trajectory pre motherhood. Several of these have sold. #ff9 #finalfantasy #watercolor #art

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Oh wow! This is gonna be a big project. If you have the time and bandwidth, I would appreciate an add. I’m The-Z, an artist in the Kansas City region, USA. I focus in character, pet, family portraits and pop culture. Art is for everybody! I just want to make people smile.

Digital depicting a white, pink, and blue eastern style dragon with a sakura blossom motif. It perches in an old, twisted tree framed in a contrasting slate blue

Digital art of a girl in an orange tunic and black shorts; Lucca from Chrono Trigger stepping up on Robo, a large potbellied robot. The robot’s head is open and the girl seems to be tinkering with a transistor.

Digital art of a chap with ash blond hair wearing a dove colored vest and pants. He has a clever smile as he stands arms open holding a violin and bow. On a belt on his pants are three capped beakers with fluids in cyan, magenta, and yellow.

A digital portrait of a couple in a many layered garden filled with an array of flowers in all colirs, bushes, trees, and some old buildings barely visible past the trees.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

What a cute idea! I'm not just looking for an excuse to avoid doing the work I should be doing. Just offering two flavors of cheesecake!

Digital black and white drawing of a nude anthropomorphic monkey girl pictured from behind with her arms crossed over her chest and on tiptoe on one foot with the other foot raised and toes pointed. Her hair is drawn up in two buns on the top of her head and she is winking teasingly with her tongue sticking out.

Digital black and white drawing of an anthropomorphic monkey in a headband and face mask copying a cute pose of a nude girl on her toes with one leg raised up behind her, toys pointed, and her arms crossed over her chest.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Guys, my partner sent me this challenge. He can't get enough of my OCs. So I drew Monki for him because lean meat is better for his heart health. #ocsky #nsfwoc #missmachiko #artchallenge

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Little doodle for myself before bed. Been playing DQ7 Reimagined lately. Too easy but I love how the story unfolds! The protag looks like an idiot child dragged into everybody's messes. The dialogue box seems like a trap when Maribel is watching! Choose wisely! #dragonquest #jrpg #squenix #doodle

Digital doodle of a young boy in a stocking cap being struck by a girl in a dress and snood. She seems angry and is lecturing him at length in the background box shaded in gray.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

I love waking up to gifts from past me. I had some leftovers to use up and got a stupid good deal on two dozen eggs, so quiche was in order! This morning I’m having the broccoli, ham, and cheese pie. I have a spinach, bacon, and onion in the freezer for some other lazy weekend. #homecooking #brekkie

A photo of a slice of quiche topped with some drops of hot sauce. It rests on a small blue plate with slices of white fleshed melon behind it. A cup of tea steeps to the left of the plate and salt, pepper, and napkins are to the right.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Since I have other projects to see to, I finished my last entry for #ArtFight yesterday. In total I made 14 attacks, many of them on those gracious enough to follow me my first year. I focused on quality over quantity. I am overjoyed many people loved their attacks! My final was Biwa Banana Iwai 🐒🍌

Digital art featuring an athletic girl with a monkey tail and monkey feet riding a wave on a yellow surfboard that says "Go Bananas". She is dressed in a yellow wetsuit and her monkey tail has a cartoonish gloved hand on the end. Her creamy coffee colored legs are tipped with bright orange fur like her tail, though her monkey feet are apricot colored. She's arranged her chunky locks into a bun at the top of her head held in place with a yellow and pink scrunchie. One hand is descending to slice a little wave from the surface of the swell supporting her board. She has a boldly determined smile on her face.
This character is from the My Hero Academia world and her Quirk is "monkey".

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Lol, while going through some old files, I ran into this chopsticks instructional I did back in the LiveJournal days. The file is dated 2005 and that's a self portrait. #oldart #selfportrait #internetelder #chopsticks

Clipart copied from a chopsticks package instructions. Diagrams follow each step with a hand holding first one chopstick as described, then a second, and then picking up an angry little self portrait of the artist.
1. Tuck under thumb and hold firmly.
2. Add second chopstick, and hold it as you would a pencil.
3. Hold first chopstick in original position, move the second one up and down. Now you can pick up anything.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Back on the ArtFight train! Here's Jragon's kobold sushi chef named Scrapps from a DnD campaign set in Edo Japan, so his appearance is more eastern draconic. "Scrapps makes the menu! Scrapps is not ON the menu!" #artfight #teammystery #kobold #dnd #digitalart

Digital art of an Asian-inspired dragon-like fantasy creature in chibi form flailing on a pat of sushi rice and pinned down with a belt of nori.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

All set up for the Art Walk! Great news is Jimothy sold before we were even fully setup, so there’s dinner for us! 👍 It’s a little muggy, but the rain has moved on. Stop on by and say hi! #lsmo #fringbeerworks #leessummit #kcmo #freeevent

A photo of an artist table with a variety of handmade wares on display. The table is set in front of Fringe Beerworks, a microbrewery located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Fourth Friday Art Walk July 24, 5-8pm. Downtown Lee’s Summit

A photo of an acrylic painting of the internet sensation, Jimothy, the mutant raccoon ball. Text around the subject reads: I want to believe “.

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The_Z @ninjamonkey.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

🌧️ rain or shine ☀️ It’s Art Walk time! Art Walk is a free community event in Downtown Lee’s Summit showcasing local artists hosted by small businesses. There are kids activities and free live music. If you’re in the KC area, pop on in! #lsmo #leessummit #kansascity #freeevent #missouri

Downtown Lee’s Summit
Fourth Fridays
Art Walk
July 24 | 5-8 PM
LIBERTY AND FUN FOR ALL

a poster on a lifht blue background with white, darker blue, and red stars

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