September 2025 Newsletter
From Dan, Your Friend and Researcher
Dear Friends,
This month’s newsletter is a little different! Instead of a recap of my day-to-day, I am focusing on something I am very excited to talk about: my Art History papers. But first, let me show you a bit of fun I had with Lego.
I was introduced to BrickLink this month, a site where you can source individual Lego parts or sets from resellers. With a little imagination and some lucky finds, I built Annie and Daisy as Lego figures (Figure 12.1). I am looking forward to experimenting more with hair, clothes, and accessories for future versions.
Now onto the main focus: my Art History papers. Over the past months I have been writing about topics that matter to me. I often include them as little bonuses alongside these monthly newsletters, so these may look familar! Even if you read all of the papers, still read to the end of this newsletter for a new annoucement about a future paper and future topics!
For these papers, they are about ideas I have carried for years, styles that inspire me, and even artforms that show up in my own creative life. They have been a joy to put together, and I hope they are fun for you to read as well. Please press on the blue links of any titles that interest you!
The Journey of FriendsWithYou introduces an art collective built on joy and positivity. From plushies to massive installations, their work is immersive and playful. They completely changed how I think about color and animism in art. I wanted to share them because their use of lighthearted imagery carries a deeper meaning. Their philosophy continues to influence the way I create. I even draw in little nods to their art in my own!
From Dada Collages to AI Art draws a line from dadaism, which was a purposeful movement of “anti-art,” to today’s rise of AI art. AI art often disrupts without intent, but I think it is worth asking what it could become if we give it context. This paper was fascinating to write because I see echoes of past movements in today’s debates. It was my way of suggesting that even disruptive tools can tease our intellect and provide some good. A biased perspective, but take that into account while reading! I try not to miss other perspectives in the paper either, so I have done my due diligence as best I can :)
The Life, Death, and Afterlife of Mannequins gave me the chance to talk about mannequins as more than storefront props. They can be muses, fashion companions, or unsettling sculptures depending on the context. I especially love this topic because mannequins are personal to me. I decorate them with my sewing projects, and they appear in my stories. Writing this paper let me combine cultural history with my own creative connection.
Slow Art explores art that takes time. Some pieces are slow to make, others are slow to experience, and some are performances that stretch over long durations. Writing it was like a meditation for me. I love slowing down with art and really sitting with it instead of scrolling past. This paper became my little invitation for readers to pause and think about art. A worthwhile read in this time of attention economy with social media apps. Those who are easily discomforted by ick, there's a small image on page three that might be worth skipping.
Monoline Art: From Technical Pens to Digital Revival is my most recent paper, and perhaps the closest to home. The style of monoline uses a single line width. What began as a limitation later became a tool for animation and eventually a nostalgic style in contemporary work. I wrote about it because it has become my main way of drawing over the past two years. This paper was both research and a personal reflection on why I enjoy drawing this way.
Coming soon is my next paper on PS1 low-poly graphics. It even features an interview from one of you folks who receive my newsletters!
My next paper will not be my last Art History paper, but after that I may move into Human Psychology or perhaps Game Design. I am excited to share more, and I hope you will join me on that journey.
That is September! Writing these papers has been fun, and I hope reading them can be just as enjoyable. Maybe one sparks your curiosity, or inspires you to think more deeply about your own interests. Whatever your passion may be, I encourage you to dive into it fully. Exploring what you love is always worth it.
See you next time!