iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

“Cedric and Timothy and the Rainy Day” is done! It’s acrylics on wood, 9 x 12 inches. These two sweethearts will be at the Fogue gallery for June’s artwalk in a couple of weeks. They’d love to be a part of your home. 🦔💚🦔

Two gentlemen hedgehogs, arm in arm, take shelter under a mushroom. Acrylic painting.

040

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

It’s been a crazy couple of months, but things are actually getting back to normal. So I was finally able to finish this painting…here are Edmund and Pip (short for Pipperling Cloverfoot Piehaven, of course). They’re out for a spring walk on a stormy day. They are acrylics on canvas, 11 x 14”.

A painting of two hares walking through the countryside. One is larger and holds the paw of the smaller one. They are dressed in matching green suits.

040

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Thank you!! ☺️ And sorry about the reminder…

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

"Still Hungry" 11 x 14, acrylics on canvas Not my usual cheerful, whimsical subject, I know...but it's what I needed to get out there.

A panting of a large anthropomorphic pig in a rumpled suit - he sits in a room that may have once been luxurious but now is decaying. He holds a golden fork in one giant hand and contemplates a large bowl of gold coins. He looks both sad and irate.

141

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

This is the largest painting I've ever done on canvas. It's "In the Cerulean Conservatory" and it's 24" x 12". I added a couple of close-ups too. #acrylicpainting #whaleart

A whimsical underwater painting shows a massive blue whale swimming through a submerged city. Brass steampunk machinery is integrated into the whale’s side, where a pink octopus operates glowing gauges and pipes. Around them swim mechanical and hybrid sea creatures, including an anglerfish with a lantern, a seahorse, rays, jellyfish, and small fish with brass details. Soft light beams filter down through the water, creating a calm, dreamlike atmosphere.

090

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Thank you so much!! ☺️

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Like human-created art of animals doing human things? Well as it happens I love painting them! Here are 4 of the paintings I have for sale, all acrylics and all done with my little human hands. They each have a story that I thought up in my little human brain. They want to come live with you!

160

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Surprisingly lots of bloom and color in the January garden here in Seattle. It’s been a warmer than average winter so far.

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Had a great rainy Christmas morning 5k run, cooked enjoyed an amazing meal together, and wanted to share this painting to wish you a wonderful solstice and holiday season!

040

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Ooo, looks good! Have you had the one at Future Primitive?

100

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Here are a couple of portraits I did of cats in different eras. The only safe way to dress a cat up in clothing is in a painting. 😽

A portrait of a black cat, wearing a Chinese gown surrounded by cherry blossoms

A portrait of a gray cat in a dashing black leather outfit with a cane.

419031

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

This is the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year. Ew. Somehow "sad, grey beige" seems appropriate.

A Pantone chip showing the color "Cloud dancer" which is actually a very very neutral beige.

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Here’s a little time lapse video showing the progress of a painting.

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

The third one in the series "The Night Society" is done! It will have lights behind it like the other two, but to see them, you'll have to stop by the December artwalk at Fogue Studios & Gallery!

A painting of a mouse leading a snail larger that itself; the mouse has a little uniform on, and. The snail has a bag full of mail and packages strapped over its shell.

073

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Pluribus: WHERE ARE THE ANIMALS??

000

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

This was my second experiment in adding little lights to the inside of the 6 x 6” wood panel he’s painted; you can see them in the comment. I’m hoping to show this and the last one (the rat astronomer) at a small works show at Fogue Studios & Gallery in December. #art

061

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

The others just called him Maestro. Now and then he’d wander into the pub, order a glass of wine and a little snack, and play his violin. He never really chatted with anyone but was so soft and unassuming that no one minded much. 1/2

150

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Or they were made for him, by one of the crafters in his village. Probably one with very flexible digits, like a raccoon or maybe a very dexterous rat. 🤔

110

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Happy Halloween! My little frog friend says “be whoever you want to!”

240

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Just bird things. A little art, a few fun bird facts; a quiet little weekly newsletter about stuff I find interesting. sonyar.substack.com

020

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

So, I’m tired of algorithm-driven doomscrolling. I started a little email newsletter instead. It’s just nice stuff: art I’m working on, interesting and positive news, no politics or scary headlines EVER. This week: goats, bumpy fish, and a pear torte. sonyar.substack.com

sonyar.substack.com

Wunderkammer | Substack

A Cabinet of Curiosities. Click to read Wunderkammer, a Substack publication. Launched 3 days ago.

000

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Thanks! There’s a longer story but not enough room for it. ☺️

000

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Professor Aloysius Fennelroot lived among books and shadows, in the top story of the tallest tree in Blackthorn Forest. Around his neck hung the Key. No one knew what it opened, though many speculated. (The professor is acrylics on canvas, 10x10. I hope you like him.)

A painting of a barred owl, wearing gold wire glasses, and a red ribbon with a key around his neck. He sits in a round wood window frame, behind him a room is lit in warm lantern light. You can see books, plants and various treasures there.

1331

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Portrait of an elderly Boston terrier; gift for his family. He's watercolor, 9 x 12 on Arches hot press. #watercolor

0142

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

You bet! I like to monitor these things too.

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

@emd.wa.gov - Washington Emergency Management Division‪ @pnsn1.bsky.social - the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.

140

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Senhor Benedito Capivara is a recent transplant from his tropical birthplace to the cooler countryside where he now lives with his new friend, Orville. He has taken quickly to the quiet life, and keeps his daily constitutional, rain or shine. Acrylics on a 12x12 wood panel. #art #capybara

A painting of a dapper capybara in a grey suit, with a small robin wearing a straw boating hat perched on his head.

A close-up of the capy’s head and robin friend.

081

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

LOOK at the size of this cat in my neighborhood. His name is Ollie and I adore him. He’s the shape and dimensions of a large watermelon.

2220

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Clara paused for a moment, looking up from her book; something had caught her eye. For just a moment, a new friend appeared, and then, just as suddenly, was gone. Acrylics on canvas, 11x14. This took way too long to finish, and I obsessed over too many little details. #acrylicpainting

A fox in a long white dress sits in a garden setting, one elbow on a table. She is looking up at a hummingbird that hovers in front of her.

A close up of the fox’s face and the bird.

0121

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

And it has a terrific soundtrack!

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Scenes from my Chaos Garden. I love this time of year! #seattlegarden

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

What a perfect day for it: my watercolor tribute to Animal Farm, “Napoleon’s Plan,” went home today with a young man who read the book with his grandfather, saw it at Fogue Gallery, and had to have it. I am so honored. 😌 #nokings #fourlegsgood #twolegsbad

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

“Before the Kiss” Acrylic on 6 x 12 wood panel. A gentle moment suspended in time…two lovers in a quiet moment just before connection, where hearts speak softly without words. #AcrylicPainting

A horizontal acrylic painting on a 6 x 12 wood panel. The artwork depicts two anthropomorphic cats sitting in a small wooden boat surrounded by oversized flowers. One cat leans slightly toward the other, their faces almost touching as if about to kiss. The scene feels romantic and whimsical, bathed in soft, pastel tones with intricate floral details. The overall atmosphere is dreamy and intimate.

0310

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

The Ai Weiwei exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum is fantastic. Photos don’t do it justice.

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

A perfect morning for a run. And what a run! For me this is fast; not “young person in great shape” fast but something I can be proud of. And I am! Had a great time at the West Seattle 5k. #running #westseattle

A cheerful me (middle aged woman with running bib and blue hat)

Garmin watch showing “Fastest 5k - 30:31”

080

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

The irises were good again this year; here are my top four.

161

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Aagh, that would make me so nervous.

030

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

The colors of these columbines are just so calming. #garden

050

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Why do I run? At my age? • Because I love cheese. And chocolate. And ice cream. • Because it’s the one time I can get out of my head. • Because I only have to compete against me. • Because I want to stay strong as I age. Even if I look like a goofy old lady. • Because of the calm afterwards.

Me on a run: a goofy looking, sweaty, but happy 59-year-old woman.

170

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Everything’s blooming and it’s the best kind of distraction. I keep stepping outside “just to check on the garden” and end up standing there for ten minutes, staring at moss like it might tell me a secret. Softer air, brighter colors, and somehow everything smells good. Not a bad reset button.

040

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

(And so am I today. Ugh.)

010

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

He is literally making this face: 😬

A news article screenshot reading "Stock sell-off resumes as focus turns to US-China trade war" and a man looking at a screen with a wide-eyed, teeth-gritting expression.

240

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Five years ago yesterday I snapped my achilles tendon, jumping rope barefoot (bad idea, it turns out). And now I run a 5k distance three times a week, every week. #running #anythingispossible #oldladyrunning

My POV, in a wheelchair, looking down at my foot in a medical boot.

My POV, looking at my Garmin watch, showing that I've run my fastest 5k time.

060

Sonya @sonyar.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The photos online of people covering their cars with mattresses, yoga mats, carpets, etc. were amusing. Not that I. blame them, just fun to see how people reacted to the news of impending "golf ball sized hail."

020