Fangmily: "Gamer Lettuce"

Husband, no. 

Fangmily: "Favorites"

Opposites stay attracted when both parties celebrate their differences. ♥ 

Fangmily: "What's That Word?"

And I taught English as a second language once. 

Fangmily: "Hangman"

My English broke. 

He was trying to guess "my favorite" which is something we call each other 

so I guess my brain felt sorry for him and tried to help.

Fangmily: "Cutest Butt"

She is. 

Fangmily: "Hungry"

KK speaks my love language.

I'm just a big butthead when I forget to eat because video games.

School's in Session!

Kids are going back to school, 

but I wanna always keep learning! 

So KK and I went textbook shopping at Kinokuniya

and got some supplies. 

Let's  study! 

Fangmily: "Suck"

Well, it is.

Now, let me answer the questions my inner critic
(and perhaps someone else out there on the Internet)
is asking at this very exact moment. Ahem.

"A vampire and werewolf? C'mon, that's so overdone."
When we were dating, KK and I discovered that we had a goofy affinity for these infamously opposite monster breeds, and it's become a perpetual joke between us and friends ever since then. (And especially now that we live in Washington, I can make all the Twilight jokes my heart desires. Mwaha.)

"Fine, have your cliche character types. But what's with the 'Fangmily' name?"
Woah there, don't knock my silliness. A dear friend (Chris Knorr) suggested "Fang-mily Time" when I asked for kooky ideas, and that fit the bill. Besides, KK and I are always making equally dorky puns with each other.

"You've obviously never done comics before, have you?"
Ptsh. Of course I haven't, but is it that obvious must you point it out? The reason I haven't done this until now is because I haven't had the courage to try my hand at it. Like the accomplished Bill Watterson, Yuu Watase, and many other comic artists, my style can only solidify if I try. And like them, I may actually get better at drawing during the process of making my comic.

"I hope you get better, because anyone can make a three-panel strip." 
Not all the strips will be like that! One thing's for sure, I need to read a lot more comics. Y'know, for science to get a sense of layout and storytelling. (Such difficult homework, whatever will I do?) Also, three-panel strips rock my socks.

"Shouldn't you be making music or whatever?" 
I can have more than one hobby, okay? Okay.

Boy, my inner critic is a meanie.
But basically, I wanted an interesting way to share some of
the sillier moments of our little "fangmily"'s life
while improving myself at the same time.
This felt right to do, so please look forward to more strips!
よろしくお願いします。(=v=)

Original size here!

"Lugia's Theme"

I still have a long way to go with my pennywhistle, 

but here's a progress report!

Lugia is a favorite of mine, and its theme is meant for this instrument. 

"Lugia" image & pennywhistle © Me
"Lugia's Theme" © Nintendo

Firey Hearts

A little unwinding doodle.

I'm so excited for Pokemon X & Y guys, 

I know I'm just gonna have a fire team I can't help it (*∀ * )

Fennekin & Litleo © Nintendo

Doodle © Ashley Serena

"House Grant"

KK and I love the Game of Thrones books and series, 

so I wanted to make a sigil and banner for us. 

Because that's what perfectly normal fans do, right? 

House: Grant 

Sigil: white winged wolf on a red field 

Words: All is Earth All is Stars

Religion: Old Gods

Blood: First Men

Seat: Stonewood
Location: West of Wolfswood, East of the Rills 

House Weapon: Ulv's Claw (bladed long bow)

Medieval Celtic design is something I've not dabbled in until this project.
Which is a shame... playing with negative space is so thrilling!

{"House Grant" banner and sigil © Ashley Serena}

{wolf design mirrored from Rookshock's lovely doodle}

"Auntie Bat"

I've been exploring different cartoon styles, lately. 

{Could it have anything to do with Disney being my playground? Certainly not!}

A little gift for my dear Ruth. ❤

{"Auntie Bat" © Ashley Serena}

"Hazel Featherstone"

Hazel Featherstone, 

my Pottermore character.

Now that I'm graduated, I have more time 

to dabble in hobbies. (*ﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ

"Rainy Cookies"

Practicing with painting styles. 

Y'all doing anything exciting for Memorial Day? 

'cuz I got all my chores done
and now I'm just eating cookies healthy things like cabbage.

On rainy days like these,
I don't feel too bad about spending x-amount of hours
laying on the couch, doodling.
I'm developing talents, right? Right. Productive.
Have a swingin' Memorial Day, loves.

{"Riku", Kingdom Hearts © Tetsuya Nomura}
{"Toraj", Petrichor © Ashley S. Harmon}

"Broomless Witch ~ Colors"

Welp, there you have it.

I'll keep coloring my drawlins

until I find something that works.

My favorite, actually.

HIGHLIGHTS.

Kitschy. Aw well, experimentation is healthy.

Standing on clouds, Cho? What is this, I don't even...

Any of ya'll out there know how to color? Wanna teach me?

{"Cho", "Petrichor" © Ashley S. Harmon}

"Cherry Filling"

Roommate Amy: "Life is like a box of chocolates..."

Me: "Ya nevah know whatcha gowna get... Sometimes ya get the cherry-flavored ones, and you just gotta throw those away.
There's a cherry in my life right now. I don't WANT the cherry fillin', dang it! Gimme the caramel! ... *deep sigh* Someday I'll eat the caramel again."

And here's a sketch of Shenn, the King of O-Rayne,

from my little novel, Petrichor. 

He's so monstrous.

I wanna look this good when I'm forty, too, Shenn. Tell me your secrets.

PS: Thank you all for your little love notes and gestures, 
both online and in person. 

My heart is smiling so much. ♥

{"Shenn", "O-Rayne" © Petrichor Ashley S. Harmon}
{Image via WeHeartIt}

"Shell Shocked"

{click to enlarge}

Just when I discover I'm healing,

reality comes back and drags its claws over my chest

and the wounds reopen.

Current Playlist:

Current theme song:

The wolf's {Shee-Roy's} features are

supposed to be really blackened.

Hurray for personal symbolism. 

When I get better at art, I'll redo this one.

{"Cho", "Shee-Roy"/"Shiroi" © Petrichor Ashley S. Harmon}

"Sunday Sketches"

Well, started on Sunday, anyways.

I'm learning how to use COLORZ.

And doing homework sometimes.

Someone brought up, in Church, an interesting thought:
What did the Lord do on His day of rest?
Happy President's Day, darlings!

{"Cho", "Shiroi", "Tanimeko" © Petrichor, Ashley S. Harmon}

"Hoppy Bunny Year"

I'm so clever, with my word puns.
Christmas, New Year's, my 22nd birthday.
It's been one continuous party
since I've been home.
And now, I'm moving back to college life.
Resolutions for this year?
♡ Hone my Japanese
♡ Meet new people
♡ Keep good relationships
♡ Eat more greens like a bunny



An unexpected turn has appeared in my path,
settling sorrow on my shoulders.
But the wonderful people in my life
are hoisting me out of the brambles,
helping me regain my step.
Thank you for reminding me that I have feet.
Bless you all, and hoppy bunny year!

{♪ "Starry-Eyed Surprise" via Paul Oakenfold}

"Bai-Bai, My Little Crazies"

Dear Japanese school,
you were an incredible experience
I wouldn't trade for the world.
One I will never forget.

There were days when I wanted to
twirl down the hallway, a band trumpeting behind me,
I was so happy.

There were days when I wanted to

curl into a ball and wring my heart of all its tears,

I was so frustrated.

But this experience wouldn't have been
half as amazing
if I hadn't tasted both sides of the bowl.

I finally saw teachers for
who they really are:
people.

I learned so much
watching their hardships,
and sharing my own with them.

And the children became

my baby brothers and sisters.

So, to you, 

little students,

I want to thank you...

...for accepting me as your teacher,

and as your friend,

for making me feel pretty
for having lily-white skin, corn-yellow hair, and blue eyes,

for letting me learn
right alongside you.
You wound up teaching me, this year.

{Arts via IKJHS students}

{Cho & Aiata drawing via me, with colors by Karin-chan}

{Cho & Aiata © Me}