Patreon Newsletter Monday, July 19th (Patreon)

Hey Artnerds!

You ever have a week where you're a day late for everything?  This week has been that kinda week.  Saturday's video went out Sunday, I totally forgot about a lunch on Sunday and had to cancel my accidentally double booked plans and double back to St Charles Parish from New Orleans, and today's update is going out on Monday, not Sunday.  It's definitely been a 'juust slightly off' kinda week for me.  

When you're having that kinda week, do you try to fight it, or just accept that things are a smidge off-kilter and try to work around it?

I've tried both approaches.  As a kid, I felt like I HAD to be perfect, and that meant forcing myself to do things JUST RIGHT even if the consequences were minor or even non-existent.  I brought this trait with me into adulthood, along with depression and anxiety, and I really can't say micromanaging myself and beating myself up over small mistakes made me a better person or artist.  Now I'm trying to do both- it's ok to slip up sometimes, so long as you try to get back onto the ball when you can.

Sometimes, when I'm running a stream, I get some not-so-nice comments.  It's often about being like 5 minutes late to a stream (girl's gotta use the bathroom), or how long the paint is taking to dry on a humid night, and it sometimes stresses me out.  That old perfectionist nag in the back of my brain goads me for 'making people wait', and I have to fight not to apologize and make amends for something that's either a basic human need or mostly out of my control.  I realize that those commenting aren't doing it to stress me out or criticize me- they're probably just making conversation, but I have to really fight against the perfectionist urge to make everything perfect all the time for everyone else but me.

This is a struggle since during my time as a professional comic artist, I've learned that sometimes all it takes is the smallest slip up to no longer be worth someone's consideration.  But I've also learned that some companies have really predatory practices in regard to freelancers, and will use that to manipulate desperate artists, so learning to practice boundaries and self-advocacy is vital if you don't want to ruin your body and your life chasing unattainable standards.

I think this need to try and make EVERYONE happy all the time often leads to compromises that are weaker than if I'd gone with my gut, or if I'd made the people I care most about happy.  I know that with art, it's impossible to make a piece that's universally loved- art is intended to evoke emotions and spur conversation, and not everyone is going to have the same reaction to a piece.  I need to also accept that most of life is like this, by sacrificing myself unnecessarily, I'm more likely to burn out and won't be able to produce pieces that the people I care the most about might enjoy.

Despite that minor grouse, I've really enjoyed the past couple watercolor livestreams! I like how they're a little less formal than the usual Let's Sit and Paint a Thing! and it seems like viewers like them a bit better as well!  This Friday, I won't be able to host one, as I'll be out of town celebrating my one-year wedding anniversary with Joseph!  Covid-19 made 2020 and 2021 such strange and challenging years that I can't say the year flew by- it definitely feels more like three years have passed rather than just one!  Depending on how this week goes, I may try to host a watercolor Livestream on Thursday- we'll just have to see!  If you have any questions or ideas for a watercolor stream, lemme know!

If all goes well, I'll be taking a semi-hiatus of sorts during August (or possibly early September?) because we'll be moving into our own home!  Please cross your fingers for us!  It'll take some time to get a new studio set up, tackle some minor home renovation, and buy furniture, so I figured I'd take it easy for a month and try to get that squared away.  I have enough content that Youtube shouldn't see any pauses, but I need to figure out what I want to do for you guys!

Backer Exclusive:

Cactus Girl- Printable Coloring Sheet: https://www.patreon.com/posts/printable-sheet-53744740

Early Access- Shiprerr Farben Watercolors Unbox and Swatch: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-53772219

Kawaii Cacti Printable Coloring Sheet: https://www.patreon.com/posts/3-marker-lineart-53744721

Sunflower Cutie Printable Coloring Sheet: https://www.patreon.com/posts/3-marker-lineart-53744173

New to the Public:

Tuesday, July 13th: Magnani 1404 Toscano Mudtest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT5ZcDnYkyM (watercolor paper, cottonrag watercolor painer, paper review)

Wednesday, July 14th: Sakuraco August?! Tasting Japanese Treats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he1F2j1IKYw (livestream, snacks)

Portfolio Flipthru- Sneak Peek at Class Prep for Manga Madness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TtCgJRTQwA

Friday, July 16th: World Watercolor Month- Demonstrating Paints and Papers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0FzCQ05H6w (livestream, watercolor, art supplies) 

Sunday, July 18th: Mairtini Round Watercolor Paper Fieldtest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P_UGdjoJz8 (watercolor, watercolor paper, art supplies, painting flowers) 

7" Kara Update:

Chapter 8, Page 12: http://7inchkara.com/comic/214