Nina Teefs (Patreon)

I posted this on twitter but just in case anyone missed it.  This is the text I posted with it:

The lesson of Nienna is not endless grief, but sympathy for those who suffer, hope for those who remain, & strength to endure. Not all tears are and evil, nor are all tears in vain.

Nienna is a character from the Lord Of The Rings universe.  She's sort of the goddess of empathy, grief, & those sorts of emotions.  She was Gandalf's teacher, for lack of a better word, when he was still living in the world of the gods.  She's a very Tolkien like concept in that she represents those emotions in a way that illustrates their purpose in the world.  Sadness has a function.  Grief gives us perspective & helps us understand others.  Nina is very much a character created in that vein.  She has gained perspective in life that changed her and made her a better person.  Her childlike tendencies aren't her holding on to that aspect of herself in a negative way, but an acceptance of joy because it is fleeting & sadness will come again.  

I ruminate on these concepts from time to time, especially when I'm feeling unwell.  I also wanted to do something potentially useful so I drew Nina at the same time.  She is often the one I draw to remind myself that all things pass.