Cain Ruben-Meyer
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quietcrysis.bsky.social
Cain Ruben-Meyer
@quietcrysis.bsky.social
120 followers 410 following 180 posts
Interdisciplinary artist- eclectic and ridiculous. Podcast Initiative Participant @friendshipfactory.bluesky.social

They/them/it/its.

https://cainrubenmeyer.tumblr.com/
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quietcrysis.bsky.social
#pwhl an evergreen emotion (original drawing by www.tumblr.com/crumb-crumbl... I believe)
A simply drawn cat with the Boston Fleet logo on its chest looking tired. Text reads: sure overtime
April 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Moving Out has updated!

Whoa. What's that thing? ...Oh, and I guess there's a creature in this update too.

Read the update and leave suggestions here: questden.org/kusaba/quest...
A simple panel of YOU from Moving out- YOU are shown in simple white outlines on a black screen, looking dead on with a slightly open mouth. Two dashes and an exclamation point indicate silent surprise. This Moving Out panel is a gif- a creature that seems to be made up of two long-nailed hands attached together longways at the wrist rests at the base of a computer monitor that displays only a long string of letter As. One end of the creature is holding a computer mouse. The drawing is initially portrayed only in white lines on black background, but as a light clicks on, the image changes to grayscale, the creature lets out three exclamation points, and begins to wiggle back and forth.
February 17, 2025 at 2:51 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Boston Fleet moodboard
A painting of Sisyphus carrying a heavy rock An illustration in the style of a Greek vase of Sisyphus rolling his rock A screenshot from the Game of Sisyphus where Sisyphus is depicted rolling his rock
January 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
My writer's group has been doing a Character Trading Cards project and I'm very pleased with how these turned out so I decided to post them here. One is a more traditional trading card and the other is more of an oracle card.
A trading card picturing a superhero character- she has a heavier build and short, shaggy brown hair. Her face is covered by a combination of ski goggles and a face mask, and her hair is held back with a yellow headband/tiara. Her costume consists of pants and a short-sleeved orange tunic with a white tabard, gloves, knee-high boots, and a plain belt. With her left hand, she conjures a glowing spike that looks a bit like a sword- with her left, she summons a shield. Behind the hero is a hazy view of a grey-skied city with a web of holographic hexagons visible in the sky. The title of the card reads "Sundance, Cordinator/Detective." In the field below the image are three stats: Offense, represented by three crossed sword icons, Defense, represented by two shield icons, and Flair, represented by five sparkle icons. Below them, italicized flavor text reads "I believe in rehabilitation, but at a certain point, you have to be practical." The card's background is a photo of several mirrored skyscrapers stretching up into the sky. An oracle-card-like illustration of a character, seated atop what seems to be a tall bookcase. The character is thin, freckled, and has light skin and curly hair, dyed blonde but with visible dark-haired roots. They pose with one hand held to their face so that only one eye is visible (close up, their iris is actually a camera's aperture.) Mounted to the character's back is a reel of film, and their orange button-up is partially open at the bottom, their skin peeled back to reveal several spools of ticker tape, the tails of which are unspooling and held in the character's left hand. Their brown skirt has a high slit, revealing another section of exposed machinery in their right thigh. A cane hangs from its handle on the edge of the bookshelf, and both wrists are connected to a system of pulleys which seems to continue deep into the foggy background. On a stylized banner on the top of the card is the character's name: Marc Coleman.
January 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Ding dong. New Moving Out update.

Let's see what's behind door #1...

questden.org/kusaba/quest...
A panel from Moving Out. YOU stand in a doorway, lit from behind, looking into a dark room. YOU hold a small box to YOUR chest and stare directly ahead. It's kind of an autism creature expression. YOU, lit better than in the first image, shown from the side with a raised hand and an expression of trepidation. Onomatopoeia to the side reads: tak tak tak tak tak.
January 2, 2025 at 4:43 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
[Knocks down the door]

It's time for another Moving Out update- and time to start YOUR first (onscreen) run!

questden.org/kusaba/quest...
A Moving Out panel- YOU slam open a door, holding a cardboard box. Behind YOU is the greenish-grey tones of the first room, but YOU are moving into an area with a purple tinge. Behind YOU is the title: Run # 999999999 (the 9s continue well off the screen and are crossed out, overlayed with a single red 1. YOU stand in the darkened purplish hallway- it is long and branches off to the left. One door stands behind YOU, one at the end of the hallway at the turn. A "tak tak tak" onomatopoeia surrounds the far door.
December 17, 2024 at 6:27 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
This is how your email finds me
A panel from the most recent Moving Out update- YOU shown from behind, gazing at the lit screen of a laptop, the screen's glow illuminating the edge of YOUR face.
December 12, 2024 at 4:08 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Moving Out has updated!

In this update, YOU engage in small talk and contemplate YOUR manicure.

Read it and suggest YOUR next move here: questden.org/kusaba/quest...
YOU, shown from the back staring at a lit laptop screen. The screen illuminates the edges of YOUR face. YOU, contemplating YOUR sharp, clawlike fingernails. The glow from the laptop is still faintly present.
December 11, 2024 at 10:39 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Puzzle cube
An illustration of YOU from Moving Out. YOU are positioned inside the floor plan of a 10' by 12' room. In the background, a watery texture flows from the bottom left corner. YOU strains against the walls, colored in greyscale with a hint of TV static.
December 2, 2024 at 4:23 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Guess what? Chicken butt? No, another Moving Out update.

In this one, YOU get stressed, chill out, and spend some quality time with friends.

Read it here: questden.org/kusaba/quest...
YOU from Moving Out holding a book. YOU are cringing at the contents. The same close-up of the corner of the table from the last update, but this time it's been painted over with an oceanic texture. The stress bar has slightly increased.
December 2, 2024 at 1:10 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
YOUR touy
A cropped version of the second image from the most recent Moving Out update, showing only YOU gazing at the remarkably round ladybug stuffie.
November 28, 2024 at 4:23 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Finally, something to be thankful for!

Moving Out has updated. In this update: YOU look around a little and unpack a few boxes.

Read the update and suggest YOUR next move here: questden.org/kusaba/quest...
A close up on the corner of the desk from the last Moving Out update, showing the ominous dark stain in all its glory. The image is noisy and has a bit of chromatic aberration, and a meter at the top right labeled Stress has barely begun to fill up with a bubbling texture. YOU, the largely featureless main character of Moving Out, sitting on YOUR bed, staring at some opened cardboard boxes, the contents of which have been emptied onto the floor, including a very round stuffed ladybug, some art supplies, and a journal. Behind YOU is YOUR wall of tally marks.
November 28, 2024 at 2:05 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Surprise! New food!

Moving Out is a quest/interactive comic about YOU (yes, YOU) trying to escape a house that does not want to let you leave. As YOU attempt your many escapes, readers can steer the character by leaving suggestions on the thread.

questden.org/kusaba/quest...
The title page of Moving Out. It's a greyscale illustration of a wall with peeling wallpaper. Behind the wallpaper, the wall is made of irregular slats of wood. A knowt on one of the slats is, in fact, an eye, while a crack in another shows a row of sharp teeth. The overall effect is akin to meat or muscle. A sketch illustration of a small room. A spartan desk with matching desk chair sit on the right side, supporting a laptop and a pair of boxes. There is a dark stain on the corner of the desk. At the far right is the very corner of an oscillating fan. The door at the far end of the room has the words "LET ME OUT" carved into it. On the left side is a wall-mounted mirror, another pile of boxes, an a radiator. On the far wall is a water stain. A grayscale sketch illustration. Lettering reads: "sigh." as a clawed hand lazily scratches a tally mark into a surface already covered in tallies.
November 27, 2024 at 3:30 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Oh speaking of my illustration here's a character from earlier this year
A gloomy digital painting of a dark-skinned South Asian woman holding an umbrella. It is nighttime- she is crying, but her face is neutral, even tired. She is looking over her shoulder, her dark eyes staring directly at the viewer.
November 26, 2024 at 4:38 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
S. Style test
Digital illustration- A bald, cartoonish character with dark scribbled eyes sits bolt upright in bed, screaming with so much force that its beanie jumps off its head. The wall behind it is covered in tally marks, otherwise decorated only by a "hang in there" poster. This is the same illustration that has been posted before- the lines have been cleaned up significantly and the piece is now shaded in grayscale with a watercolor style.
November 25, 2024 at 7:59 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
It's crazy what a little bit of lighting adjustment will do for a piece
A digital painting of a wide-eyed, light-skinned white person, clutching a blanket around themself for warmth. Their hair is blue with dark, brown roots and is messy, with one tiny braid near the nape of the neck. Their eyes are uncomfortably blue and well up with red tears, and a similar trickle of blood seeps from the mouth. The character's skin is marked with several scrawled notes, which are all nonsensical. This is the same illustration as the one posted in the art train, but the piece is now finished and the lighting has been adjusted to be much more dramatic.
November 24, 2024 at 11:41 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Oh god art train uh. Here's some digital paintings from recently and also. My most popular piece from over on Tumblr again because it's dear to me.

Tagging: @birdlord5000.bsky.social @ddemoneclipse.bsky.social @paladinpals.bsky.social and uh. Anyone else who wants to play
A digital painting of a wide-eyed, light-skinned white person, clutching a blanket around themself for warmth. The painting is clearly unfinished- the face has the most detail. Their hair is blue with dark, brown roots and is messy, with one tiny braid near the nape of the neck. Their eyes are uncomfortably blue and well up with red tears, and a similar trickle of blood seeps from the mouth. The character's skin is marked with several scrawled notes, which are all nonsensical. A full-body digital illustration of a very pale individual striding confidently forwards, looking back over their shoulder. Their clothing is dark and professional, and their hair is a very light blonde. There's something otherworldly about them- their ears are slightly pointed and they have no eyebrows, and they have several piercings: a bridge piercing, a septum piercing that does not connect in the middle, and a pair of snake bites that look a bit like fangs. A soft sculpture of a human body crumpled over in grief. It is made of white fabric, stained with decay and embroidered, beaded, and felted to appear to be growing moss, mold, and mushrooms. The figure has no head, feet, or hands- where these parts would be, black fabric drapes out, resembling a leaking black liquid. Another view of the same soft sculpture, this time from above.
November 20, 2024 at 3:46 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
A very merry weekend to whatever this guy is
Two sketches of a nondescript, slouching figure in a Hoodia and a beanie. One has pinprick eyes and a wide mouth. The other has dark, round scribbles for eyes. An expression sheet of the version of the character with scribble eyes, looking blank, irritated, suspicious, and pleased. Handwritten notes comment that the dense part of the eye scribbles can act as a pupil, eyebrows are only visible if they overlap the eye, and the mouth appears black if shown from the front but open if from the side. A much more detailed version of the character, showing a mouth full of pointy teeth. The eyes here are blank and white over a black mess of hatching, and have three spikes for lower eyelashes. To the right, a full-body view of a more monstrous version of the character. The face is froglike, and the lashes of the eyes look a bit like tears. The mouth takes up most of the face and the teeth are huge. The character's thin body is hunched over, possibly in pain, and the hands are swollen into claws. The character stands on tiptoe, and is wearing a hoodie, loose pants, and socks. The scribble-eyed version of the character shooting upward in bed, screaming. The wall behind it sports a lame "hang in there" poster as well as a huge area taken up by tally marks. The force of the character's movement is knocking off its beanie.
November 18, 2024 at 8:16 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
A meme depicting an anime character saying "I'm a genius!" swiftly followed by "Oh no!"
November 16, 2024 at 9:13 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Oh also I draw characters sometimes. This is Lilya, she's an engineering student and she likes her meat very rare
A digital sketch of a young woman with square features and large, round glasses. Her long hair is in two messy braids. She's glancing at the camera, her face nearly in profile. The same illustration, but the glasses are gone and the background is much darker. Lilya's pupils reflect light back at the camera in much the same way as a cat's or dog's eyes.
November 14, 2024 at 11:50 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Okay I lied about being done. Have a few more Boyguts details.
A close up on a very wet and bloody-looking collage. This section is heavily textured and features the back half of the words "measure up" as well as "how to leave." A highlighted thread in the collate gives off the impression of a worm. Another detail from the same piece. This one juxtaposes the glossy, textured red area with ribbons of pale skin hanging over it, more matte. A very similar detail shot- this shows more or less the same area as one of the shots in the original Boyguts post, but the lighting is better and the colors more vibrant. This detail shows a photo of a leg, the shoe covered in a spatter of blood. The words include "unfriendly," "fresh-cut," and "supremacist," as well as "success" and "how to leave"
November 14, 2024 at 8:57 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Oh I forgot this guy is ready for documentation.

Boyguts, 2024 (Mixed Media)
A collage piece on canvas, made to look like a bloody base surrounded by ribbons of rended flesh. A detail shot from the piece. The magazine clippings read: "how to leave," "it's not too late to become a doctor," "enraged," "big-toothed," and "never fails." The clippings on this detail read: "choose how to" "provoke" "absurdity," "get great assets," "hard work" "will win" "legacy" "wealth" "turf" "legend" "the exhibition" The collage in this detail is more dense and less legible- it features a new moon with a window splattered with blood, a tombstone that reads "fine art," and the scattered words "Are you a visionary?" "Are you a single man?" "Offer" "The best" "Be relevant" and "Grief."
November 6, 2024 at 8:54 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
Sometimes I do feel a little bad for the authors of the ad and magazine copy I shamelessly harvest for the most ominous and out of context parts
A pile of cut out pieces of magazine. There are images of bees and vegetation, along with the words "harvest" "join us" and "you won't have to lift a finger." There's also a long passage from an evangelical pamphlet scolding the reader into repenting their sins.
November 6, 2024 at 8:36 PM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
A little something for the people....things are in the works
A detail shot of a bloody-looking collage piece. The head of a rake is visible, along with text reading "We want" "Man of the year" "$1000, $635, $300, $100-" and handwritten: "Why bother" Another detail shot. Some visible text reads "The future is" "Incomparable" "grief" "mindset" "transformed" Another detail shot. Some visible text reads: "We" "Burn" "choose how to kill" "provoke absurdity" and trailing out of frame: "Hard work."
August 4, 2024 at 5:42 AM
quietcrysis.bsky.social
A little watercolor as a treat
A watercolor painting of a young person, wearing a red tee-shirt, raising one arm as if writing or painting on the wall. Their skin is tan and freckled, their hair short, curly and dirty blonde. A rainbow of colors reflects off their eyes and hair. Draped over their shoulder is a disturbingly long-fingered hand, the tip of each finger stained a different neon color. The background is dark, too shadowed to make out.
April 12, 2024 at 12:15 AM