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“I was a freshman in college when the pandemic started. Since then, the pandemic has illuminated the myriad systemic issues that exist in our world; witnessing this worldwide traumatic event has helped me to understand how deeply entrenched ableism, racism, and class inequality is. Although it is a constant, painful reminder, it has also encouraged me to sharpen my focus: learning, collaborating, and aligning values with actions. Volunteering and being in community with the members of the Ohio Clean Air Coalition has helped me find purpose and hope, even as I struggle with mental illness and Long COVlD. I am so grateful for everyone who is still holding on, who still cares, who understands that no one is disposable.”— Behind the KN95 respirator is Basil, @bugfiish 🐛, a member of @OhioCleanAirCoalition.

We are grateful to Basil for sharing their pandemic experience to support #MaskTogetherAmerica.

collage about how i feel out of place in this world
thank you to @melanieschlosser for inspiring me to make more collages:) check out their wonderful artwork

covid is surging so mask up to protect yourself and others. new health problems have been kicking me while i’m down and watching everyone live unaware/ignorant of this huge health risk has been so painful. it’s not “just a cold”. get your vax and contact a local mask bloc if you’d like free masks! don’t be foolish now

[image ID: a collage featuring a three legged figure with a toucan’s head in the center. text arranged among the composition reads “something is a little out of sync / even a little is too much / unfit for any form of life / the damage goes deep / you inherit your genes from your parents / moons do not make any light of their own / ocean creatures called tunicates produce their own light.” end ID]

collage about how i feel out of place in this world
thank you to @melanieschlosser for inspiring me to make more collages:) check out their wonderful artwork

covid is surging so mask up to protect yourself and others. new health problems have been kicking me while i’m down and watching everyone live unaware/ignorant of this huge health risk has been so painful. it’s not “just a cold”. get your vax and contact a local mask bloc if you’d like free masks! don’t be foolish now

[image ID: a collage featuring a three legged figure with a toucan’s head in the center. text arranged among the composition reads “something is a little out of sync / even a little is too much / unfit for any form of life / the damage goes deep / you inherit your genes from your parents / moons do not make any light of their own / ocean creatures called tunicates produce their own light.” end ID]

collage about how i feel out of place in this world
thank you to @melanieschlosser for inspiring me to make more collages:) check out their wonderful artwork

covid is surging so mask up to protect yourself and others. new health problems have been kicking me while i’m down and watching everyone live unaware/ignorant of this huge health risk has been so painful. it’s not “just a cold”. get your vax and contact a local mask bloc if you’d like free masks! don’t be foolish now

[image ID: a collage featuring a three legged figure with a toucan’s head in the center. text arranged among the composition reads “something is a little out of sync / even a little is too much / unfit for any form of life / the damage goes deep / you inherit your genes from your parents / moons do not make any light of their own / ocean creatures called tunicates produce their own light.” end ID]

collage i made a number of years ago i don’t remember when. i love a vague sexual theme
image id in pinned comment

collage i made a number of years ago i don’t remember when. i love a vague sexual theme
image id in pinned comment

collage i made a number of years ago i don’t remember when. i love a vague sexual theme
image id in pinned comment

DM ME IF U WANT ONE!
i wanted a bumper sticker that says “reject eugenics” so i made this and if you want one too… that can be arranged! i’m opening preorders because i’m not interested in having a bunch of extra laying around. orders open today and i’ll probably close them after about a week… we’ll see. i’m looking to mail them out before the end of the month.
stickers are $6-9 (sliding scale) or 2 for $12! + $1.20 for shipping. pay what you can/want - i want to share these with others:) stickers are 2.25”x11.5”.
in your DM please tell me how many you want and what venmo/paypal account you’ll be sending from.
let’s reject eugenics together🤝 mask up & protect each other my friends 💕
(image ID in pinned comment)

DM ME IF U WANT ONE!
i wanted a bumper sticker that says “reject eugenics” so i made this and if you want one too… that can be arranged! i’m opening preorders because i’m not interested in having a bunch of extra laying around. orders open today and i’ll probably close them after about a week… we’ll see. i’m looking to mail them out before the end of the month.
stickers are $6-9 (sliding scale) or 2 for $12! + $1.20 for shipping. pay what you can/want - i want to share these with others:) stickers are 2.25”x11.5”.
in your DM please tell me how many you want and what venmo/paypal account you’ll be sending from.
let’s reject eugenics together🤝 mask up & protect each other my friends 💕
(image ID in pinned comment)

DM ME IF U WANT ONE!
i wanted a bumper sticker that says “reject eugenics” so i made this and if you want one too… that can be arranged! i’m opening preorders because i’m not interested in having a bunch of extra laying around. orders open today and i’ll probably close them after about a week… we’ll see. i’m looking to mail them out before the end of the month.
stickers are $6-9 (sliding scale) or 2 for $12! + $1.20 for shipping. pay what you can/want - i want to share these with others:) stickers are 2.25”x11.5”.
in your DM please tell me how many you want and what venmo/paypal account you’ll be sending from.
let’s reject eugenics together🤝 mask up & protect each other my friends 💕
(image ID in pinned comment)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

i want to live! … (ID in comments)

i’m making things to cope with the depression and grief i feel every day as i witness almost total abandonment of life saving covid precautions. now, it is entirely normal and popular for people left, right, and center to pretend the virus just went away forever, then ignore the insurmountable data that suggests otherwise. to acknowledge covid’s existence, and protect yourself from it, is like living in a separate reality, and it’s lonely.

those close to me understand how long i’ve struggled with mental illness. to put it bluntly, the desire to keep living is a very recent development for me. genuine care for myself&my body is something i’m finally internalizing after years of work. it’s almost more difficult to care for yourself in a world that has chosen denial. i finally want to live, and the world doesn’t care if i die. you choose to spread disease, ignore science, and act in line with eugenics. i cannot stop caring while hundreds of thousands continue to die, become disabled, or become further disabled.

i choose not to accept ignorance as an unchangeable reality. i will continue to peak up about my pain and that of others, in the hopes that others will see reality. in the meantime, the pain of witnessing eugenics every day is near unbearable. please commiserate in the comments or drop coping suggestions!

if you’re in “columbus” and take covid precautions, let’s hang out:)
our lives are precious, so let’s start acting like it. love u.
(a thousand thank yous to my wonderful dave for taking the pictures<3333)

homemade bird earring compilation:) the #rosebreastedgrosbeak and robins are for my dear friend ray, and the #cardinal live with me since they didn’t sell at an art market. so fun to make:)

[image iD: slide 1: two miniature rose breasted grosbeak sculptures made into earrings. slide 2: showing the side and back patterns of a grosbeak. slide 3: 3/4 view of a grosbeak. slide 4: two miniature robin sculptures made into earrings. slide 5: basil wearing one miniature male cardinal earring. end ID.]
#polymerclayearrings#birdart

homemade bird earring compilation:) the #rosebreastedgrosbeak and robins are for my dear friend ray, and the #cardinal live with me since they didn’t sell at an art market. so fun to make:)

[image iD: slide 1: two miniature rose breasted grosbeak sculptures made into earrings. slide 2: showing the side and back patterns of a grosbeak. slide 3: 3/4 view of a grosbeak. slide 4: two miniature robin sculptures made into earrings. slide 5: basil wearing one miniature male cardinal earring. end ID.]
#polymerclayearrings#birdart

homemade bird earring compilation:) the #rosebreastedgrosbeak and robins are for my dear friend ray, and the #cardinal live with me since they didn’t sell at an art market. so fun to make:)

[image iD: slide 1: two miniature rose breasted grosbeak sculptures made into earrings. slide 2: showing the side and back patterns of a grosbeak. slide 3: 3/4 view of a grosbeak. slide 4: two miniature robin sculptures made into earrings. slide 5: basil wearing one miniature male cardinal earring. end ID.]
#polymerclayearrings#birdart

homemade bird earring compilation:) the #rosebreastedgrosbeak and robins are for my dear friend ray, and the #cardinal live with me since they didn’t sell at an art market. so fun to make:)

[image iD: slide 1: two miniature rose breasted grosbeak sculptures made into earrings. slide 2: showing the side and back patterns of a grosbeak. slide 3: 3/4 view of a grosbeak. slide 4: two miniature robin sculptures made into earrings. slide 5: basil wearing one miniature male cardinal earring. end ID.]
#polymerclayearrings#birdart

homemade bird earring compilation:) the #rosebreastedgrosbeak and robins are for my dear friend ray, and the #cardinal live with me since they didn’t sell at an art market. so fun to make:)

[image iD: slide 1: two miniature rose breasted grosbeak sculptures made into earrings. slide 2: showing the side and back patterns of a grosbeak. slide 3: 3/4 view of a grosbeak. slide 4: two miniature robin sculptures made into earrings. slide 5: basil wearing one miniature male cardinal earring. end ID.]
#polymerclayearrings#birdart

[image ID: a drawing of two clearwing butterflies mating, with “ithomine butterfly love” written underneath. end ID]
happy valentine’s day:) pretend i didn’t misspell “ithomiine” on this drawing. i just think insects mating is so visually interesting. i am very normal …
#insectart#bugart

just wanted to share the birthday card i made for my dear dave:)

[image ID:
slide 1: a drawing of shadow the hedgehog with the text “YOUR 23!”. he is holding a mike’s hard lemonade and a joint is hanging out of his mouth.
slide 2: dave and basil dressed as tails the fox for halloween. basil kissing dave on the cheek while dave looks at the camera, nose makeup smeared on his face. end ID]
#shadowthehedgehog

just wanted to share the birthday card i made for my dear dave:)

[image ID:
slide 1: a drawing of shadow the hedgehog with the text “YOUR 23!”. he is holding a mike’s hard lemonade and a joint is hanging out of his mouth.
slide 2: dave and basil dressed as tails the fox for halloween. basil kissing dave on the cheek while dave looks at the camera, nose makeup smeared on his face. end ID]
#shadowthehedgehog

been feeling like a bad omen, i only bring news no one wants to hear

[image ID: a drawing of a winged insect with oversized red mouthparts and a barbed stinger. it is black, white, and gray, framed by red vines and flowers. the text on the black frame reads “I’m just a bad omen”. end ID]

been feeling like a bad omen, i only bring news no one wants to hear

[image ID: a drawing of a winged insect with oversized red mouthparts and a barbed stinger. it is black, white, and gray, framed by red vines and flowers. the text on the black frame reads “I’m just a bad omen”. end ID]

(image id in pinned comment)
although this is technically my #artvsartist for 2023, i’m posting it super late in true basil fashion. surrounding this picture of me leaning like a tall cactus are screenshots of my capstone paper “room for interpretation: discussing poetry education in high school”. last year, i was in the second graduating class of my school’s english literature & media major. college was extremely difficult for me as new and worsening health problems kept me from performing anywhere near my full capability. but thanks to loving friends and family, and patient teachers and mentors, i finally completed this project. it’s a year in the past, but i’m still shocked i made it through. much love to those who barely survived college! we are strong!
this past year i’ve enjoyed not being bound by the semester schedule. i moved to a new city and started working at a library… soon i can finally shift towards pursuing my goal of becoming a tattoo artist. i am getting sufficient treatment for my ailments and am slowly developing the ability to consider the future, instead of only focusing on surviving the next day/week/month. i’m not all better but it is truly worth it.

stream of consciousness caption over! much love to you and yours for the new year. take care of yourself and each other, as we are all we have. get involved, learn something new, wear a mask!

[ID: a hand drawn postcard with a mask and lettering that reads, “wish you cared!” end ID.]

my own spin on postcards that say “wish you were here!” i’ve been feeling a lot of frustration when i see so few people masking even though the pandemic continues. watching others attend and host events attempting to build community with not a mask in sight (especially queer spaces… ouch!). when you don’t mask, you’re telling me this: the vulnerable should just isolate and never participate in society the way you feel entitled to… this starts to lean towards eugenics-type thinking. let me ask you: do you value disabled lives? if so, do you act on that belief by taking the simple step to wear a mask? or do you instead value the comfort of denial? denying science, long covid research, and the countless lives of those killed or disabled by the virus? forgive my bluntness, but denial won’t save you. just as it’s done to others, covid may disable you at any time.
the moral of the story is that i’m tired and angry. i wish people acted in alignment with their morals. so please, it’s not too late to start masking again

don’t fall into the cycle of ignorance, numbness, and complacency.when you see and hear of the horrific acts committed against palestinians by israel, remember the role of the united states as an encourager, funder, and supporter of genocide; turn thoughts and words into action. share information, resources, donate, protest, don’t stop talking and don’t look away.
those who have stayed silent … the world sees you. what will you stand for, if anything? are you not disgusted? do you justify your country’s actions with ignorance and excuses? if this tragedy disrupts your everyday life, good. i hope you find it within yourself to be moved to change. i’ve learned to feel this pain, anger, ache, and turn it to action; i hope you’ll join me.

always and forever free palestine

[image ID: a drawing of an eye with a tear, the palestinian flag reflected its iris. the words “don’t look away” frame the eye.]
#freepalestine#fromtherivertothesea