Little story of a tattoo cover

May 11, 2026May 6, 2026 | Dïne

Did you ever want to cover an old tattoo that you got a while ago, but that does not feel quite right anymore?

This is what happened to one of my friends. Twice.
And it ended up creating a little family… which I secretly hope will keep growing, because they are fun, cute, and colourful.

I thought I would share this one because it has been such a fun project.

A few years ago (or was it just a year ago?), they messaged me with a photo of an existing tattoo (not by me). It was getting a bit blurry and pale, so they wanted to refresh it and add something a little silly on top.
It was a teacup, with what looked like the remains of a mountain inside. Luckily for us, the mountain was made with coloured lines only, no black, which meant I could probably cover it.

Their idea was a kākāpō, a wonderfully goofy local bird, drinking a glass of wine. Perfect.

So we went for it. I tattooed this little silly guy while refreshing the teacup at the same time.

And not long ago… they came back. Same story, other arm.

This time it was a teacup with a big wave. And just like the mountains, no black lining. Great news for a cover-up!

So, to keep our little bird company, we created a takahē (another iconic local bird), holding a big glass of beer. Living its best life. Takahē have these amazing deep blue and green tones, with a bold red beak. It worked perfectly over the faded tattoo underneath.

And just like that… a little bird party was born.

Cheers to our local birds 🍻

blurry tattoo to cover — *Blurry tattoo of a teacup with a mountain in it*

tattoo covered with another tattoo of a bird — *Long live Kevin the Kakapo!*

covered tattoo — *Our freshly done Takahe! cheers!*

old tattoos covered with native birds — *Friends having a little party*

This was originaly posted on my patreon.
join the forest: HERE

Mermay illustration Process

May 5, 2026May 5, 2026 | Dïne

We are in May already!

In the little illustration world, May is the month of mermaids and sea creatures. If you are on social media, have a look at #mermay to discover new artists and get inspired by all things mermaidy.

For the occasion, I did my homework too.

I dived into an A3 mermaid painting. It has been a bit of a journey, and even if I did not fully enjoy every step, I still had fun and, most importantly, I learned a lot.

I wanted to make another feathered mermaid (remember my “Mother of Chicks” from last year’s Mermay?), and this time using a kea as a model.

I also really love the underwater aesthetic. I am myself quite scared on a boat, even though I grew up between a lake and the ocean. Despite that fear, the mystery of it always draws me back to painting it.

Here is my process and the final painting!

As I do not like working with a screen, I printed my references: kea birds and under the ocean elements.

watercolor painting process rough colors thumbnail

After exploring a few composition ideas, I picked one and moved on to the colour palette.

watercolor painting process drawing each scale mermaid

I used a blue pencil for the drawing, which I realize I didn’t like that much. I will remember for next time. It was A LOT of scales to draw

mermaid watercolor painting using masking gum

I often use drawing gum to cover areas that I do not want to paint yet. I have a dedicated paintbrush for this specific use.

watercolor painting mermaid creating texture background

To have an interesting background texture, I use a paper towel and pat on the fresh paint.

FULL PROCESS ON THE ORIGINAL POST ON PATREON JUST HERE 👇👇

to see the full article and photos check out the patreon original post!

Writing retreat in Paradise

May 4, 2026November 9, 2026 | Dïne

Did you ever have a project that really, really excites you… but you just can’t seem to get it done?

Not because you lack motivation.
Not because you don’t have the right tools.

But more because… life does not stop.
Kids still need to eat to stay alive.
Laundry keeps piling up.
There is always something on the to-do list getting in the way.

This is what has been happening to me. And to a few of my close friends too.

I’ve been wanting to write this super cool graphic novel. One friend has a full line-up for a fantastic romance novel. Another one had an important uni paper to write and was struggling to focus with everything going on at home…

So we decided we all needed a little push to finally get things started.

And… how convenient… we happen to live not too far from a magical place, tucked in the mountains, with little huts you can rent. No wifi involved.

Perfect.

So last week, I went on my second and a half writing retreat. (I am not counting my very geeky middle school graphic novel club.)

And it was amazing.

No mum mental load for a few days, meals prepared in advance, and only three things on the to-do list:

write
walk in the forest
play salad bowl to unwind (if you don’t know this game, you are missing out on a very good laugh)

I can proudly say that I finally started storyboarding my graphic novel! I am about 6 spreads in. That is 12 pages… out of what will probably be around 200.

I have not worked on a long-format graphic novel since high school (and I am turning the big 4-0 at the end of the year), so yes… I am a bit rusty. But also extremely excited!

I mapped out the main events of my little heroine’s journey, and I am now deep into the storyboard phase. First draft. Messy. Fun. I cannot wait to share more of it here as it grows.

And honestly… We will definitely organise more of these little writing bubbles.

So if you are a writer at heart, let me know in the comments. I will keep you in the loop for the next retreat

Gears needed for a writing retreat in a hut in the mountains

view from the hut for the writing retreat in paradise

view from the hut, doggies in bonus for a big hug at break time

More photos of the Storyboard process on the original post HERE 👈♥︎

What a week!

Artist Dine the Fox in the front of her illustration Melon Hunter for Arrowtown Autumn Exhibition

April 20, 2026November 9, 2026 | Dïne

I took my morning today to stay cozy on my couch, with my little kitten and my fire place on, looking at the snow on the mountains while sipping my Earl Grey.

yes, I did NOTHING on a Monday morning, which is totally unnatural to me 😆

Why did I do that? (or should I say, why did I do nothing?)
Because last week has been incredibly draining, in a nice way. I spent the week getting ready for the annual Arrowtown exhibition, which was showcasing one of my illustration (only one, cf previous post for more), as well as prepping for our Flash day at Black Leaf tattoo, which is like a mini tattoo festival just for us.

And let me tell you that it was a lot to do. If you add to it the nervousness that comes with social events, and looking after house and kids and snow on the mountains and kitten and…. yes. morning off well needed.

Fun story: I almost didn’t make it to the exhibition, as I was planning on getting my ticket at the door like each year, but it was already almost sold out. I was the last one they did let in!
And thanks to my friend Katherine, here is a little proof of me making it in:

Other funny thing, my tiny gouache illustration made it just right next to the Bee and Bird painted by my tattoo colleague Lee, with who I spent all Sunday tattooing for our Flash day.

Flash day went well, lot of cool peeps turned up, some even for their very very first tattoo!!
I was delighted to tattoo some of my beloved flash (pics below) But a bit sad for all those which have not find their human.

So I will add those very soon to my flash book at the studio, as well as online on my website for you to browse! Stay tuned.

I hope you are all warm and cozy, Winter is definitely coming our way down here.
I might go back to my purring machine for some warm cuddling.

Thanks for being here!

Three little hobbits… but make them kiwi birds 🥝✨

April 13, 2026April 21, 2026 | Dïne

Tiny adventurers. Big stories.

I had so much fun designing and tattooing these LOTR-inspired kiwi hobbits. A mix of Aotearoa wildlife and Middle-earth magic. Honestly my favourite combo.

We’ve got brave Frodo ready for the journey, loyal Sam with strong “I’ve got your back” energy, and cosy Bilbo who would probably rather stay home with tea… but still ends up on an adventure.

Storytelling, nature, a bit of nerdy love, and designs that feel personal and meaningful.

If you are into fantasy tattoos, Lord of the Rings inspired pieces, or cute native bird designs, I would LOVE to create something for you.

📍 Tattooing in Glenorchy and Queenstown, New Zealand
🌿 Custom ideas welcome + flash available to book on my website

Which one are you? Frodo, Sam or Bilbo?

Flash day is coming very soon!

April 11, 2026April 21, 2026 | Dïne

A friendly reminder that if you’d like to get a cheap tiny tattoo or grab some rad flash to fill that patchwork sleeve you’ve been working on since last summer… this Sunday is the day!

Or if you’ve been dreaming of a silly matching tattoo with your BFF, your mum, or both… there will be plenty of fun and chaotic designs available.

Save the date: Sunday 19th of April 😁

First come, first served. Walk-ins only.

About the illustration that got rejected 🫠

April 9, 2026November 9, 2026 | Dïne

Yes yes… rejected 🙄😅

Here is the context.

In a few weeks, it will be the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival. A lovely event that I enjoy going to every year. And this year is an anniversary edition, which makes it even more special. I cannot wait.

It is all about celebrating autumn. Wandering through this cute little town, full of life for the occasion. Stalls, crafts, artworks, grilled chestnuts, street shows… the whole cosy magic.

And each year, there is a beautiful art exhibition alongside it. Paintings, sculptures, all sorts of work. And each year, I submit something.

Usually, I send two pieces.
Usually, I am lucky and blessed, both get in.
My tiny artworks quietly living their best life on the walls.

But this year…

I got my very first rejection.

Honestly, no hard feelings at all! But because of the subject of the illustration I laughed a lot and thought I will share 🤣

So, what did I submit?

Both pieces were illustrations I made during Folktember last year (the online art prompt challenge, see older posts).

The first one, accepted, is called The Melon Hunter. I love this one. A little bunny hunting watermelons and selling them for a few carrots from a tiny stall on wheels. Colourful, a bit silly, painted in gouache.

And the second one… rejected…

A little elf on its throne.

No hard feelings at all really. It genuinely made me laugh.

Most likely, they ran out of space on the walls and had to make tough choices.
Even though it is a very small piece that could easily fit in a corner…

But my first thought was:
maybe the committee did not find my joke very funny.

Maybe… a little elf peacefully doing its business on a toilet is not considered appropriate for the exhibition 🤣

But then again… what about Duchamp’s Fountain? 🤣

Anyway. I had a good laugh.

And you can still come and see The Melon Hunter at the Arrowtown Autumn Festival Art Show from April 17.

See you there 😁

My first pottery. And no surprise here, I made it a quail haha

April 5, 2026November 9, 2026 | Dïne

Hello my favourite forest people, I need to tell you about this little adventure.

We went to a kids pottery session.
The plan was simple. Let the kids play with clay.

But then… the parents got invited to have a go too!!

And you know me: give me a creative tool and a bad idea, and I will run with it.

So of course… I decided to make a quail bowl. There are a few families living in my garden, and I watch them all the time. Tiny, round, chaotic little creatures. Absolute perfection. I’m so in love with their silly military march in the lawn. Even got a couple tattooed on my arm haha.

Now. Important detail.
I have almost no experience with pottery.

And I had a very specific vision.
I wanted the bowl shape… but with the quail’s head popping out of it. Including the tiny feather on top. At this point, it already felt like a questionable life choice.

I was not sure it would hold.
I was not sure it would survive.
I was not sure it would not just collapse into a sad clay pancake.

When the kiln time arrived, my potter friend warned me: things can crack, things can fall… Things can betray you.

So when she put it in for the first firing… I was slightly stressed! but somehow it survived. 😆

Then came the painting stage.

We had these special ceramic paints, and I had so much fun bringing it to life. Colours, patterns, tiny details…

And then… the varnish. If you have never used ceramic glaze before, let me tell you: it is terrifying. You carefully paint your piece. You love it. You are proud.
And then you cover it entirely with this thick, milky, slightly fluo-looking varnish that hides EVERYTHING!!!!!! 😬😬😬

Hours of work gone invisible: I had a small internal panic. But we trusted the process (or at least tried not to show the panic)

And after the final firing… magic! The colours came back! And my little quail bowl turned out so, so good.

I am honestly so happy with it.

Also, my son made an incredible lion bowl. Truly iconic. (Already eating his autumn soup in it. look at this tiny lion’s tail going out of it!)
And all the kids’ pieces were absolutely stunning. So much creativity 😍