Hello my doves, and happy new year!! (Is it okay to say that on the 31st?)
I've been dreaming of rekindling our monthly newsletter for a long time. Going forwards, I will be publishing a monthly newsletter on the final day of each month - it'll contain updates, 'what i created this month', thoughts, monthly favourites, puzzles, spotify playlists made for you, questions for you, occasional freebies & so much more!! I also have so much more planned, see '2026 oakfrogs patreon goals' below just a taste <3
I've been noticing tile & also cross-stitch motifs in art so much recently & it's so cool and extremely inspiring. Even in digital design, I think we are yearning for tactility, specifically the 'tactile pixel' and archaic 'square' art forms. We can all imagine running our fingertips over cross-stitch embroidery thread or a cold, glossy ceramic tile. In our fast paced, 'out-of-touch' world, I think a lot of people are turning to ancient-craft art that takes time to create and has a 'feel' to it.
Similarly, I've been fascinated by limited placement media (specifically limiting ourselves to use of squares and working within a square), such as pixel art, quiltwork, tiling, cross-stitching, even old typography and early writing systems. With the icon packs I make every month, too, I often have to find new ways to represent an object so that it can fit inside a square and still be legible.
This month, I created an animation to honour the lunar new year of the horse! I knew I wanted to capture a running horse (based on eadweard muybridge's 'the horse in motion, 1878') and incorporate either tiles or cross-stitch, so when you lovely people voted ceramic tiles for our janurary bundle theme, it felt like fate!
I've been seeing horses everywhere recently. I've honestly never been a horse lover - in fact, I used to be so scared of them - but over the past few years I have begun to feel so much awe towards them. I even have a double headed horse tattoo now!! Here are just a few of the horses I have seen this month:
Here is a very short version of the speedpaint! I will be posting a longer speedpaint to youtube in the next few days :o)
Things that made me happy this month
when people dig a path through the snow but intentionally do so in a wiggly line instead of a straight line
when you spin your umbrella in animal crossing (& real life) and rain droplets fly off
typed smiley faces, especially with equal sign eyes =] =) =D and noses :o)
the color teal
pears 🍐!!
the suzuki carry that was parked on my block over the holiday period*
*tiny suzuki carrys are my favourite vehicle ever!! there are a few in my area since i live in a coastal fishing town and they transport fresh seafood to the restaurants - it is always such a treat to see them drive by 🛻💨
Media I've been loving !!
dreamy ethereal music, which I've complied into a playlist for you HERE
my portable dvd player, and watching dvds!! i watched 1999 'the mummy' two nights ago!! i'll also be borrowing the x-files & twin peaks on dvd from my best friend, soon~ <3
Here is the January wallpaper & icon bundle preview! You can find the bundle HERE
Coming soon
tamagotchi inspired wallpaper & icon bundle
pixel art / early windows computer wallpaper & icon bundle
procreate brush bundle 2.0!!!!!!
2026 Oakfrogs Patreon Goals
monthly wallpaper bundles (minimum 1, sometimes 2 bundles!!)
monthly newsletter!!
monthly zine!!
sketch book tours!!
begin creating youtube videos, & some short-form too!!
art tutorials!!
speed paints!!
pen pal clubs!!
book clubs!!
digital goods bundles: monthly and weekly calendars, colouring sheets, printable (and digital) planners, journal, to do list, etc etc etc
SO SO SO MUCH MORE <3<3<3 3<3
Do you have any new year's goals or resolutions that you feel comfy sharing? I always love to hear them!!
Do you have any movies or music or pieces of media that you loved recently?
Do you have any food or drinks you've been making (and loving) recently?
Thank you so much for spending janurary with me. I cannot wait to continue making this patreon community cosier and cosier, and including more goodies for you each month. I know it's easy to say this, but i truly appreciate you, so, so, so much. I am cosmically grateful to be a part of your world, I honestly cannot put it into words, 'grateful' doesn't begin to come close. If you are reading this right now, you are stunning & so so cool.
Love you ALWAYS,
Bunny <3<3