UPDATE ON YA BOI (Patreon)

A few things have happened in the interim between ACFI and today that I wish to let you all know about! I feel that, as my loyal fans, you should all know what's been going on lately. I feel like I've been a bit too quiet.

KICKSTARTER

My Kickstarter to raise funds for producing a shirt design failed. I did, however, raise quite a bit towards the goal and got some lovely word-of-mouth so I at least know that it's not a failed venture. I'm going to run a straight pre-order eventually and try to raise my own out-of-pocket funds to get at least a small run printed. All in all, it was a great learning experience! I'd never run a Kickstarter before and the work to calculate the final costs I needed to raise was an eye-opening adventure. Seriously, props to every other artist I see trying to raise money through that platform successfully!!

RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

Full-time art has been a dream of mine for a long time but after a few dry months, things were getting dire. I'm not sure what had happened but business for me was not as prevalent as it was when I first started. If I had to guess, I just wasn't posting enough.

I have re-entered the workforce as of a month ago. My goal with this job is to go part-time, just enough to cover my bills, while my art income will be purely supplemental. I ended up getting a job at a burger place, of all things. I've never really been in the food service industry, although I have lots of retail and customer service experience. The best part about this job, though, is that my boss is my father and I can practically have any time off that I need. That means, no more bullshit of trying to get weekends off for conventions or mental health. However, this brings me to the next topic...

MY RIGHT HAND IS KILLING ME

At this new job, I am typically on grill duty, flipping burgers (although I typically pick up the slack anywhere it's needed). I was not ready at all for the amount of work that was required of my dominant hand. Most days, I come home with a dull pain in my hand... 

This place presses their burgers and after one thirteen-hour shift (as a favor for my boss), my right hand got to the point where I could barely hold a fist. I was able to take this last weekend off for recuperation but after yesterday's shift, that dull pain is back. It's to the point that drawing is painful.

I'm trying everything I can - pain meds, stretches before and after - but it's been a bitch trying to work on things. Art has been very slow all month. I'm really hoping that these are just growing pains and that eventually, I'll get through it. I'm thinking it's just that I'm not used to the amount of labor focused on my hands.

MFF

Nevertheless, I will be headed to MFF here in a few weeks! I'm really excited to FINALLY go again after the success that MFF 2015 was for me. Once again, I'll be tabling with my partner-in-crime, Luna. I really hope that this trip will be successful for me, business-wise. Wish me luck! I'll probably be opening for pre-orders on badges and art and such. You'll all be the first to know!

Thank you all for continuing to support me through these busy, quiet months. I hope to run another Fan-Art poll after MFF for December. Until then, I'll keep you updated on any art progress I make (lots of WIPs!) and I hope to see some of you at MFF!