Jean McKinney

If you like your fantasy dark, gritty and hardboiled, I've got some reads for you. These books mix crime, espionage and magic for a new take on old fantasy tropes. I write noir fantasy myself, and these books are some of my favorites in the genre.

Dream books, journals, grimoires and other gifts with a witchy bent for lovers of dark academia, vintage stylings and gothic romance. They're all from Etsy, my favorite marketplace for unique and beautiful products, so I'll get a small commission if you choose to purchase anything from these lists.

Colored pencils are versatile and easy to use for drawing and coloring. They combine well with ink, graphite and other media, and they're suitable for all skill levels. Here are some brands and tools for every colored pencil artist.

Domestika is one of the best online learning platforms for art and illustration, with a long list of courses taught by an international community of professional illustrators and designers. Here are some of the best courses Domestika offers in sketching, drawing and illustration. (Affiliate links)

As a student of illustration and sketchnoting, I've tried a lot of art supplies. Here are a few pens, inks and pencils I like for sketching and coloring my zines, sketchnotes and urban sketches.

Several years ago, my holistic vet recommended a simple home cooked diet for my newly adopted, very overweight dog. I've been home cooking for my dogs ever since, with great results. Here are some recipes to try, along with ways to make sure your canine companions get all the nutrients they need.

Valley Fever (coccidiomycosis) is a fungal disease that's common in the Western US. It affects not only humans but several animal species, including dogs. My dog had disseminated Valley Fever (a severe type that affects many systems in the body). Here are some things that relieved her symptoms and helped her recover from this potentially fatal disease.

Here are some things I've used to support my cats' health at all stages of life, from kitten to senior.

Here's a roundup of products and services that I've used to keep my dogs happy and healthy.