MOTH👑MONARCH 2026 EDITION
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mothmonarch.bsky.social
MOTH👑MONARCH 2026 EDITION
@mothmonarch.bsky.social
3.9K followers 220 following 2.3K posts
🐛 mothmonar.ch ✨
Bug King • Independent Artist & Designer • aka M. Capaldi 🌟
they/them, queer variety pack, real human artist
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mothmonarch.bsky.social
Psst! For a limited time, my two most recent completed sketchbooks are available via Ko-Fi as PAY WHAT YOU WANT downloads! ko-fi.com/mothmonarch/... 🖋️🐛
I welcome all to enjoy & share with others you feel might like my work too. Keep some wonder and adventure in your heart.
Interior cover of a sketchbook. Top bar has white text on blue reading "Digital Sketchbook"; beneath is hand-written "The Art of Moth Monarch" with a cartoon moth head below facing the viewer. A crown and the eyes are done in metallic gold. A thin border around this is interrupted on the sides by moon phases in gold, at the top with a tiny crown, and at the bottom by a tiny moth. Interior cover of a sketchbook. Top bar has white text on blue reading "Digital Sketchbook"; beneath is an ink naturescape with a path cutting through pine trees and layers of mountains. Two small cartoon insects feature on the path, one looking out into the distance and the other approaching them carrying a backpack. Hand-written text at the top reads "The adventures that await us" with a heart shape after, then smaller, "The Art of Moth Monarch"
January 24, 2026 at 5:24 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
If you see this, post your painting/drawing of a #dragon 🐉
Digital artwork of a white eastern dragon with a pink mane and tail, yellow belly scales, purple horns and claws, and blue eyes. It is looking left with its body twisting into the distance of a light blue to pink and purple gradient background.
January 24, 2026 at 12:42 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
A little ink, a little color, a little imagination. 🐛
Photo of two sketchbook pages next to each other full of cartoon bugs. The left smaller page has lots of moth busts and some full characters in various poses and expressions in black ink. The right larger page has a mix of characters and more realistically shaped but still stylized bugs in an assortment of black and colored markers. A brush pen rests out of focus to the top left. Art by Moth Monarch.
January 23, 2026 at 8:32 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Ants & Plants 🪴
Digital drawing of two cartoon ants talking about a small sad-looking potted plant on a desk between them. The left ant looks is wearing a sweater and says "Do you think it's too much water? Too little?" The right ant is wearing a bandana around their neck, a small belt with pouches around their waist, and a larger wrap with pouches around their abdomen. They are looking at the plant with a thoughtful expression, saying "Hm." Behind them on either side are some other larger plants in pots. Art by Moth Monarch.
January 19, 2026 at 7:37 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
SHINE ON, O DREAMER ✨
Photo of a traditional sketchbook page in black ink and glittery blue gel pen. Central, a large cartoon moth bust with sparkly freckles and wreathed in four-pointed stars and lines smiles, glancing off to their side. Other cartoon bugs and celestial symbols fill the space around them, with the text "SHINE ON, O DREAMER!" written at the top out of focus. Art by Moth Monarch.
January 15, 2026 at 9:48 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Shiny stickers ✨ Put a little sparkle in your space!
shop.mothmonar.ch
Photo of an iridescent rainbow sticker of two sphinx moths symmetrically posed facing each other. They have similar markings but are largely inverted - the top one has much more rainbow material, while the bottom one has much more black. The top moth has a closed eye on the back of its head and open eyes on its hind wings, while the bottom moth has an open eye on the back of its head and closed eyes on its wings. A small black star rests between their antennae, and on either side is a small sequence of moon phases. Three copies fanned out of a sticker design in black ink on a white shaped space of a cartoon moth bust with a hopeful smile on its face, looking up to the right. Three four-pointed sparkles and other small accent areas shine in a bright silver. The stickers are resting on a black hardcover sketchbook framed on three sides by drawing pens. Photo of a spread of three identical die-cute vinyl stickers that are black, white, and shiny metallic gold featuring two white-lined sphinx moths. Each has a five-pointed star on their head and is reaching toward a large four-pointed star in the middle. Lots of other stars and accents surround them. The stickers rest on a cloth that is pale with an irregular pattern of solid muted gold hexagons. The watermark is http://shop.mothmonar.ch with a logo of a crowned moth. Photo of a lavender sticker sheet with whimsical celestial-themed moths and related accent stickers. Nine moths have moons, stars, and small constellations on their wings with purple, blue, and pink palettes. Their shapes are inspired by real species like the luna moth, comet moth, cecropia moth, sphinx moth, etc. Accent stickers include four-pointed stars, five-pointed stars, a moon, a planet with a ring, and a four-pointed comet as well as a line of moon phases vertically in the middle of the sheet. Some of the stars, moons, and markings have metallic details catching the light here. The top of the sheet reads "Magic Moon Moths" and the bottom has the artist's name, "Moth Monarch".
January 14, 2026 at 1:42 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Friends gifted me this massive grimoire of a sketchbook for my birthday - my current book for scale on left, roughly 6x8". It's heavy! Not sure what to do with it yet, but I feel like I should put arcane bug spells in it...
Picture of two sketchbooks with decorative covers on a red plaid blanket. The smaller one to the left is 6x8 inches to show the scale of the much larger one to the right. The left one says "the secret BUG SOCIETY" on the cover with a little one-eyed blue beetle and various plants, leaves, and debris like soda caps and pins in a cute cartoon style. It has a green elastic band closure. The large right one has a fanciful luna-like moth with striped wings, eyespots on its upper wings, and moon phases along its body. More stars and moon phases decorate the rest of the pale space around it including two dark turquoise stones sewn into the cover central top and bottom. It has two strap closures with metal levers.
January 11, 2026 at 7:55 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
The December 2025 review is out for patrons!
www.patreon.com/posts/147772... ☕
Photo of part of a sketchbook page in ink and gold acrylic: a cartoon moth from the side wearing a crown and a confident expression. In one hand, they hold up a coffee cup with steam and decorative coffee beans and grounds swirling toward and around their head almost like a halo shape. In the other hand, they grasp a golden brush pen with black ink swirling out in large gobs past the lower crop of the shot. Golden rays emanate from around their head and end along a thin black rectangular border with thicker black border accents outside it. Art by Moth Monarch.
January 10, 2026 at 4:46 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
My oldest Squishable (Bumble, who is ten this year!) and my newest (Sprig the grasshopper) - thank you for my new friend, @cindervoidz.bsky.social! 🦗✨ They're so cute!!
Two mini Squishable plush, a bumblebee and a grasshopper, both facing the camera seated on a soft red plaid surface.
January 5, 2026 at 11:06 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
despair not, o dreamer!
Photo of a sketchbook page: a cartoon moth hovers among black and red swirls, a red-four pointed star as their pupil and many other dot and four-pointed stars among the swirls around them. in glittery red, words atop segments of the swirls read: "o dreamer / o lover / keep hope!" Art by Moth Monarch.
January 1, 2026 at 9:01 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
I spoke of it generally from time to time, but I was very ill (digestion related) for a lot of 2025. It took about 5 months to get proper treatment & the medication was rough and required its own recovery. Very grateful I was able to enjoy the holidays & looking forward to a better 2026!
Scan of a traditional sketchbook page in black ink and yellow-orange marker. A cartoon moth reaches out to a hovering four-pointed star; other stars fill the surrounding space. Text reads: "KEEP SEEKING LIGHT. Reach for hope - lean on love - we need not face the dark alone, nor bear pain in silence. we light each others' way."
December 31, 2025 at 8:10 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
A few favorite creations from this year specifically as the final day ticks down! 🌟
- Potato Bug stickers
- Natalie standee for @anthrocon.org's 2025 charity partner
- Magic Moon Moths sticker sheet
- Skye Full Body badge commission for @rawrparty.bsky.social!
Sticker of a cute brown insect sitting inside a red and yellow box of french fries, their hands resting on the box edge in front of them. The box says "Potato Bug" on the front with the U made into a smile with little eyes. The sticker has transparent edges and is sitting on a greenish background. A number of stickers like it are arranged in an arc over it as framing, though they are largely cropped out. Bottom right corner has a crowned moth logo and "shop.mothmonar.ch" Standee of a smiling and waving calico mer-cat representing Anthrocon's 2025 charity, Nose 2 Tail, at the 2025 convention. Behind are charity tables and some vendor booths. Photo of a lavender sticker sheet with whimsical celestial-themed moths and related accent stickers. Nine moths have moons, stars, and small constellations on their wings with purple, blue, and pink palettes. Their shapes are inspired by real species like the luna moth, comet moth, cecropia moth, sphinx moth, etc. Accent stickers include four-pointed stars, five-pointed stars, a moon, a planet with a ring, and a four-pointed comet as well as a line of moon phases vertically in the middle of the sheet. Some of the stars, moons, and markings have metallic details catching the light here. The top of the sheet reads "Magic Moon Moths" and the bottom has the artist's name, "Moth Monarch". Digital art character badge of a pink and white snow leopard furry smiling and posing toward the viewer in a shiny white and bright green techwear outfit, holding a large mechanical-looking book in front of her in one hand. She has violet eyes, magenta hair, and some of her spots look like hearts. The outfit consists of a light jacket in white with a rainbow sleeve accent visible over a thin green hoodie, green fingerless gloves, white long shorts with black and green checkered leggings underneath, and white and green sporty shoes. The book is white and bronze with green-blue light accents highlighting wing-like protrusions at the top edges of the cover as well as a few visible wires and techy details. The name "Skye" appears to the right in purple decorated with pink lines inspired by circuitry, and the background cut to shape is a lavender-purple gradient with a faint circuitry texture. Signed MM.
December 31, 2025 at 7:06 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Friends are here for New Year's and we exchanged holiday gifts. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS 🪲
Photo of a Rokr kit for their mechanical rhinoceros beetle model, new in shrink wrap. The beetle is black and red with brassy gold details on a round black base. The elytra are up with wings extended. A few details on the box show parts that light up and the wing flapping action.
December 30, 2025 at 11:33 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
he's gaming!! @squishable.bsky.social
Photo of a bumblebee mini Squishable with a white gaming headset placed over him. He is propped up on a bee-themed pillow in front of a laptop with a glowing keyboard. The mic is down and he is posed looking at the screen as if he is gaming.
December 28, 2025 at 8:26 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Thank you to the person who got me the grasshopper Squishable off my wishlist 🥺 I will look forward to hugging it and introducing it to the bug pile here!!
Picture of a grasshopper Squishable plush toy. It's green with large yellow and orange eyes, little yellow antennae, and a funny smile that looks like a W.
December 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
LO, THE FEAST OF THE BUG KING!
✨ It's my birthday!! 🐛
After a rough as hell year with a lot of challenges, I'm finally starting to feel better and look forward again. If you've been enjoying my work & feel so moved, I've got a tip jar & a wishlist! Or tell someone about my art! Much love 💖
Mirror selfie of a person smirking at the viewer and leaning forward on one leg hiked up on a surface out of frame. They have short hair on top with buzzed sides and are wearing glasses, a red and white Machine56 bomber jacket with black details, and black pants with some straps hanging off. It's Moth Monarch! Digital art illustration of cartoon insects partying: fireflies sit on a frame above shining light on a dancing caterpillar, ant, bumblebee, and mantis below. Text top, middle, and bottom reads "do a little dance / you're a little bug / get down tonight"
December 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Merry Christmas!! I got some BUGS and a few other surprises besides! We also enjoyed a lil charcuterie here. I feel very blessed to end a very difficult year among so much love. 🥰
Photo of several Christmas presents staged together: a Jellycat bumblebee, Unicorn Overlord for Switch, non-binary colored mantis pin, FFXIV cookbook Volume 2, Hornet keychain plushie from Silksong, and a bag of Wawa Holiday blend coffee. All sit atop a plaid blanket. A marble charcuterie board with a honeycomb design spread with four kinds of cheese, rolled prosciutto, and sliced salami. Beneath are Christmas patterned mats and a tablecloth. Partly visible at the top of the photo is a holly leaf shaped dish with some herb crackers.
December 25, 2025 at 11:19 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Mini tree all decorated. 🌟 Best wishes to you all - may warmth and love be your companions despite the darkness we face, and may you have your needs met with abundance and joy (if not now, then very soon). From me & mine with all our hearts: Happy Holidays!
A small Christmas tree in a fairly dim space with large colorful lights, green and white garland with decorative foil holly shapes, and assorted soft Pusheen and small round ornaments.
December 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"RESOLUTION"
2022, digital
#ArtAdventCalendar
Digital art of a cartoon moth dressed as a red mage in a leaping pose, rapier held forward in their right hand and floating focus held behind in their left. Magic circles, vines, and petals behind them evoke the "Resolution" spell from FFXIV.
December 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
Crayon drawing of a cartoon moth bust wearing a crown and giving a peace sign with "Moth Monarch was here" written next to it. It's drawn on kraft paper at a restaurant with a part of the menu visible on the left and a giant clothespin above branded Jack Astor's.
December 23, 2025 at 10:00 PM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"The Little Inventor"
2014, ink and watercolor
#ArtAdventCalendar
Traditional ink and watercolor artwork of a cartoon pill bug in large amber goggles, a torn brown trenchcoat, and little brown boots smiling happily as he lifts off of the ground using artificial wings he made with metal frame and amber-colored membranes. The wings are styled in shape after those of a scarab. Dust kicks up below his feet. He has a wrench in his pocket. Art by Moth Monarch, signed Mary Capaldi as this is an older work.
December 23, 2025 at 8:07 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"Sphinx"
2022, for Mothboy Monthly
#ArtAdventCalendar
Digital illustration in the style of a vintage lingerie ad with a green anthropomorphic sphinx moth model. The lingerie is black with some opaque and some see-through lacy areas and has a few metal rings connecting straps, suggesting an overall harness-like fit. The moth is looking at the viewer with a lidded eye. Text up top: Sphinx. Fitted looks for many forms. Find your perfect fit. Text below on left: allure for all bodies. On bottom right, logo consisting of two nested Ms with a crown floating above.
December 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"Praise the Sun"
2019, digital
Ever my choice for the Solstice.
#ArtAdventCalendar
Digital illustration of a green scarab beetle with amber wings extended, raising a textured red sun with its front legs. Rays surround it on all sides, shining through rings of golden clouds, with tiny stars throughout the surrounding darkness of space and more stylized six-pointed stars below the beetle. Art by Moth Monarch.
December 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"Insecta Geometrica"
2016, digital for print products & later adapted into an enamel pin series of the same name
Available on home goods and more!
#ArtAdventCalendar
Pattern in purple with diamond lines featuring yellow and green insects alternating inside the diamonds, all drawn in a geometric style. There is a comet moth, bumblebee, cicada, and scarab beetle. Overlapping the pattern on the top and bottom are darker boxes with text that read "Insecta Geometrica: Geometric-Inspired Insect Tiling Pattern" and "Original Design by Mary 'Moth Monarch' Capaldi", MaryCapaldi.com"
December 20, 2025 at 8:57 AM
mothmonarch.bsky.social
"little oneness with all things"
2022, digital
#ArtAdventCalendar
Digital art. A small white cartoon moth with a couple red markings floats with arms outstretched at the center of the image. A field of white, yellow, and a few red stars is scattered around them with a soft glow surrounding them; the shape of fully opened moth wings is formed by some of the stars around them to the full width of the image. They are also framed both above and below by small crescent moons, then a red four-pointed star, then a line of stars disappearing into the darkness. The overall feel is serene yet grand despite the visual simplicity.
December 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM