In my submissions for the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center’s 2020 exhibition “Obsessed: The Art of Nerd-Dom”, I wanted to include a famous nerd from pop culture. My original list included Steve Urkel, Tina Belcher, Daria Morgendorffer, Velma Dinkley, Squidward Tentacles, and mononymous Peanuts character Marcie.

Then, a friend suggested Milhouse Van Houten from The Simpsons. Though my affinity for this character wasn’t as strong, everything clicked into place when I did some research and uncovered this quote from the season five episode “Burns’ Heir”:

“But my mom says I’m cool.”

With a quote selected, I set out to find a depiction of Milhouse that fit this sentiment. I doodled a few of my own renditions in a sketchpad, and when I finally got it right, I cut out the drawing with an X-Acto knife and traced the outline onto a piece of 9 x 12 watercolor paper.

From there, I copied the outline lightly in pencil, filled it in with layers of colored pencils, and blended until the surface of the paper was no longer showing underneath. I outlined the drawing with a black Micron Sakura ink pen, then sprayed it with a matte fixative to prevent smudging.

Once dry, I rotated the paper and repeated the phrase above until the page was fully covered. Because of the drawing’s bright colors, I took some liberties with varied lettering to provide a more dynamic, textured background.

It was then framed, and shipped off to be displayed at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center from January 11 to March 15, 2020.

Is this piece available?

“But My Mom Says I'm Cool” is available as a print in my Society6 shop.

The original is still available. Please contact me if you’re interested.