I Complain Too Much

TAIL OF TAEKOOK COVER CONTEST - RESULTS

Hi wonders! So first of all, I have to thank those who took part for doing so. It's always amazing to me that someone would bother getting involved in something that I just do on a whim.

Now I have a confession to make. The contest wasn't as popular, or perhaps as well known, as the one we did for Uncovered Illusion. That's partially my bad, I think, as I didn't really advertise it very well. We ended up getting two entries. But that's okay. Because the entries we got are beautiful.

You are all entitled to your own opinions, but honestly I get blown away every single time I see art or edits or anything like that, made by the wonders. I'm not saying that I expect you to be untalented or anything dumb like that, because that's nowhere near the truth. I know you all possess incredible skill.

That doesn't make it any less special when someone makes the decision to share their skill with me. With everyone. So thank you both for taking part. I love you both and I really hope that you didn't have a negative experience with any of it. (and maybe if I have another contest another time, you might get involved again??? no pressure, obvs)

Just like last time, I'm going to share all entries and my views on them, because I think you both deserve the credit for what you did and I want people to see how skilled you both are. If that makes you unhappy in any way, I will edit this and sort it out if need be. Let me know.

We start with someone who's been a wonder for a long while now, and honestly I've loved seeing their comments from the moment they came across whichever of my books they found first. @InfamousGirl_05, thank you so much for all your support. You're incredibly skilled, and this art is just proof of that to me. Seriously, thank you.

This is utterly beautiful. There's no other word for it. And I'm delighted that you decided to enter it into the contest. I'm sorry that I kept bugging everyone about the contest even though you'd already entered: it's not that I didn't love this, but I wanted people to take part. I love this more than I can explain. Hopefully that is forgivable.

Also..The Tails...honey yes. Slay.

Quite a late, but much appreciated, entry, in this. @starryggukk, this is stunning. The light, the contrast, everything about it just looks amazing. I know that you were worried about being a pain because of the confusion around closing times and all that jazz, but to be honest I was just excited to have entries in the first place. I like to think that I'm not the most strict when it comes to things like this.

It's honestly fascinating to me that both of you decided to draw/paint/whatever the correct verb is. And I'm not complaining. These are both incredible works of art, whether they're originally on paper or on a screen. I really hope that both of you decide to carry on sharing your skills with the rest of the world. Because you really do have a gift. It comes from hard work and practice, and I respect that.

But dang, my dudes. I am an impressed potato right now.

And now comes to the difficult part. I know both of you are probably getting impatient. Who won? I don't really wanna choose, to be real, because they're both incredible entries and I wish I could use both. That is the honest truth. But I have to make a decision...and that is...

@starryggukk !

This isn't based on which one I prefer, or which one I think shows the most artistic skill (no offence to either of you). It's based on which one I think suits the book the most. So don't lose heart, and have faith in your abilities. Because I know both of you will reach far with your work. Never give up on artistic dreams. They're so fucking worth it.

All my love, as always,

Izzy

PS: to get involved in my other surprises for the midwinter, check the last update of this book!