Niky Motekallem

Sometimes people care more about animals that other humans so let’s try: Iranian street cats. Many Iranians feed and take care of these little ones. The last two are ones my grandmother gives food and water to. They like to hang out in her yard. I hope her and her cats are safe

The way some people discuss the future of Iranian citizens makes me want to scream and vomit. Stop being so cavalier about actual human beings I feel a panic attack coming on whenever I hear someone’s take on the situation. Those are humans who love and are loved. My family is among them. Can u not?

I keep refreshing the news. Still no word from my family.

Beauty is not in and of itself resistance and there are fascistic and police modes of beauty, but any beauty that falls outside the profitable, the ordained, the dominant is an affront to them, a fearful sign of a world without them

Thank you all for the support so far. Still a ways to go but I appreciate those who’ve helped out. Especially with everything that’s been happening, your support really means a lot to me

ko-fi.com/rsdream12/go...

#mutualaid #helpsky

I haven’t been back in so long. I regret it every day. All these photos are from my childhood/teenage visits.

Once again, I feel like I need to prove the humanity and beauty of the people of Iran. Because it feels like people don’t care. It’s far away in a land you’ve only seen propaganda about. I’ve been there. People I love are there.

This month has felt like three shoved into one 🫠

Picture of Marjane Satrapi alongside a quote from her. The quote reads: The world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same... - Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French graphic novelist

Thinking about this quote from Persepolis creator Marjane Satrapi again.

Anti-ICE Ice Fishing, Subzero Marches, and Art Sled Activism: A Winter of Protest in the Twin Cities - Racket Protesters have shown their disgust with the Trump administration and their willingness to fight side-by-side with their neighbors—often in distinctly Minnesotan ways.

the last few weeks in MN have been the greatest moment of nonviolent protest i've seen in my lifetime. i spoke to the organizers of marches and demonstrations, bike rides and ice fishing protests—and even a puppeteer—about this winter of protest in minnesota.

Painting of anteros bracteata moth, gallant soldier flowers, and stars

“Protector of Light” is my second piece for the @nucleushouse.bsky.social Microdose 6 group show. She’s an anteros bracteata moth surrounded by gallant soldier flowers.
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Both pieces have found a home! What a huge honor (thank you!)! May they guard and light the way!

QRT with your hands ✨

Daily reminder to non-Minnesotans that we still need help here. Very much appreciate everyone who is donating funds or airline miles, everyone who is taking the time to call their members of congress. Everyone sending kind words of support. (See below links for guidance & links.)

Flat lay of my art prints and stickers. Text says Lunar New Year 10% Off Sale shop at https://goodluckfriend.square.site

AHH IT’S LUNAR NEW YEAR NEXT TUES so I’m doing a 10% OFF SALE for the rest of Feb! 🧧🐴🍊🍊

I’ll ship orders out nearer to the end of the month, so I can print and include my LNY card with every order. Thanks youuuuu!! 🫶

Shop Prints, Stickers & Sketchbooks here
🧧 goodluckfriend.square.site 🍊

It’s the thing that gets me excited to leave my bed! ☕️

Sadly I still can’t make leaf latte art. If I’m lucky I get a misshapen artichoke that’s flicking you off. See example below:

Latte I’ve been making almost daily for two weeks: Toss dried lavender in with your ground espresso. After you brew, add a bit of vanilla syrup, finely crushed cardamom, and 2 drops of bergamot extract. Add your choice of milk.

Dawn over Marl Pits (1)
digital painting

illustration in muted warm colors of a person turning to look at the viewer superimposed over a sprig of hemlock and a dun horse; the words "YEAR OF THE HORSE" is overlaid over the whole image

my 2026 postcard sign up form is up and open until Jan 10! feel free to sign up for one (link in reply) ^^ i had a lot of fun with the textures and color scheme for this one!

Borders are imaginary lines daydreamed of by greed. End🧊now

One drawing later

Thank you so much! 🥹

Absolutely stunning as always! ❤️‍🔥

My Lunar New Year card illustration. An Asian cowboy putting on his hat, swinging his lasso and grinning as he faces the coming year head on! He has a back tattoo of a Chinese style painting of a charging horse surrounded by peonies. Text says 2026 ‘It’s time, friend. The horse powers you through. Go succeed’ and the Chinese blessing 馬到功成. He’s surrounded by fire for the Year of the Fire Horse

It’s time, friend. The Horse powers you through. Go succeed 🐴❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Happy Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse! LET’S GOOOOOOOO!! 🫶🧧🍊❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Ahh! You’re too sweet 😭🩷🩷🩷

“Protector of Hope” is my first of two paintings for the @nucleushouse.bsky.social Microdose 6 group show. An Eastern bath white butterfly surrounded by gallant solider flowers. She guards the stars.
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If you’d like to give this little one a home, check out the gallery’s site!

Just a quick update from the Twin Cities. (Please forgive the unsolicited message). THINGS ARE NOT BETTER IN MINNEAPOLIS. The media is mostly moving on, Trump is focused on other stuff, BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED ON THE GROUND. More than 2,000 DHS thugs continue to roam the streets, abducting people 24/7, assaulting legal observers with impunity, and routinely denying 1st, 4th, and 5th amendment rights. Drones and helicopters are overhead every day. Hundreds and hundreds of terrified families have not left their homes since mid-December ... relying on the community to bring them food and help with rent and other necessities. (Those people are NOT violent drug cartel sex offending murderers, as DHS would tell you. Most are legal residents or citizens.) If anything, things have just become more stressful and intractable (think trench warfare as a suitable metaphor): The resistance is better organized and numerous, but DHS has become more clever and better at disguise... and the county sheriff's office is increasingly supporting them . Do not let anyone tell you that Homans (the new person in charge of the occupation) is making anything better. Do not let anyone tell you that 700 ICE agents leaving the city has made much of a difference; the remaining force (again, ~2,000) is still larger than the entire city's police force (which is legally unable to do anything). Please call your congressional reps ... especially if there is any chance the administration might listen to them.

A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:

Even the Longest Night Yields to Dawn
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My piece for the @wowxwowgallery.bsky.social group show, Impermanence. If you’d like to give the piece a home, check out their page!