Comic Meltdowns, Teaching Watercolor, Flower Drawing Tutorials- Patreon Newsletter June 25th (Patreon)

A Scene Close to My Heart

I've talked about this scene quite a bit on social media, but it's because it's one of the scenes I've been really looking forward to in this chapter.

This scene is important to me because it's a chance to really see Kara reacting negatively to information she doesn't want to hear.  Sheltered, lonely Kara's all pumped up to tell Tanner about her cool human friend, and he immediately starts pointing out how dangerous humans can be.  The audience knows this is true, but maybe we've forgotten while watching Kara and Naomi get to know each other.  Kara has a moment of disregulation- blowing up to the mildest suggestion that this is a Bad Idea, leaving Tanner at a loss at what to do or say.  He wants to encourage his friend buuutttttt...

This is a situation straight from my own life.  There's various aspects of ADHD that occasionally inconvenience me, but I've found solutions to deal with them mostly.  The emotional dysregulation though?  The bane of my existence.

When you explode after finding out there's been a sudden change in plans or receive bad news; people aren't really sure what to do with you.  Plenty of people assume that this is my Mask Off moment- the little angry rage monster is the real me.  It undoes so much of the work I've done to try to be a good force and help others.

If there's ONE aspect of my ADHD I could give up, it would be the emotional dysregulation.  I could live with the forgetfulness.  The RSD.  The impulsivity.  But the dysregulation, while it rarely rears its head in public, is something I constantly struggle with, and often have to resort to bottling up until I can get home.

This scene is important to me because we've seen Kara being creative.  We've seen her being friendly.  We've seen her being impulsive.  But we haven't really seen her struggle.  It's also very personal- her reaction and mannerisms are straight from my life and struggles.

I didn't grow up with this kind of representation.  In many ways, I think this representation for ADHD girls and women STILL isn't mainstream, although I'm sure there are other indie people like me who make sure it's out there and exists.  I hope by talking about it, I can help the people who would love to see this sort of rep find it in my work.

Teaching Adult Watercolor Classes:

In June, I had two watercolor classes for adults booked with Ascension Parish.  One was a revised version of a class I taught to adults last year, and one was a new class.

Watercolor Basics:

I just shared the revised presentation with Patrons, if yall would like to check it out! 

Watercolor Crash Course (playlist) 

Watercolor 101 (playlist) 

Paint a Watercolor Floral Class:

I'm going to share this one with Patrons later, because I have written notes, a presentation, AND video footage (as well as photos!) that need to be edited into something nicer. I'm also thinking of turning this class into a watercolor kit with paints, brushes, and photos.

I have vented about both of these classes plenty over on my Twitter- from tracking the (unpaid) hours spent prepping and planning to the materials used to actually teach the classes, so I'm going to spare yall the complaints.  The reality is it's time for me to draft a new teaching contract, with higher rates and to revise my website to reflect ALL the classes I currently offer, the materials needed, and the time necessary, and then I need to stick to my guns and not allow non-artists to scope creep me into a totally different class.  Comics Broke Me has really got me thinking about what we do, how long art takes to make, and whether or not our income is sustainable to US.

Class prep plus some family health issues has left me pretty drained, so I gotta ask:

What do you do to recharge your battery?  

I like to look at other people's art, but sometimes that can be so overwhelming- instead of appreciating the art, I start comparing our numbers, and start feeling like a failure.  Art books help- pretty art, sometimes some process, and hey!  no likes, followers, or comments to compare.

I also love reading manga, particularly in the tub.  I'm an overly speedy reader, so I can tear through a volume in about an hour, but I often feel so refreshed and ready to tackle to art world once more after Blue Period or Skip and Loafer.

My FAVORITE are Japanese art books, particularly from manga artists, since I love cartoony figurative art, and while there are SOME books like this in the US, usually they're production books for movies, and feature a small selection from several artists, rather than an exploration of the range of a single artist.  I've seen some pretty intriguing Chinese illustration books on AliExpress- maybe it's time to order some for some fresh inspiration.

For my friends who have left social media- how do you like to look at art?  In person at shows?  In books?  Via email? Please let me know how you'd like me to share what I'm making- update it to Patreon or keep sharing it on social media, because I feel like it's getting kinda lost.

Speaking of lost!  Have yall seen my

Easy and Quick How to Draw Flowers Miniseries

Inspired by the responses in the Fan Survey, I've started doing some How to Draw Flowers mini drawing tutorials.

I've been sharing them on Tiktok, Youtube, Instagram, and my professional Facebook page in hopes that they'll find people who'd like to learn!

Neither Tiktok nor Youtube will allow me to curate them into a playlist (if you know what I'm missing, PLEASE tell me), which makes it difficult to share the series as a whole or to promote it.  Each video lives or dies independently- which is rough for a series meant to build on itself.

I'll link all the ones that've gone live so far:

Rose: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xgx_BsV5Iuk

Rosebud: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Bb8BLmQ3bHE

Tulip: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7AOfpxTPoM8

Daisy: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xYvA6MsfHtc

Sunflower: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ko-B1cUQYGg

Hibiscus: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Kdkk_ycvNdk

Peony: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oIjv4bViT8U

Iris: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uo4po-BTw08

Fancy Iris: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mkg46NdtIrs

Louisiana Iris: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mkg46NdtIrs

I still have more recorded and waiting in the queue, and may add more flowers if interest and desire dictates!

Early Access & Backer Exclusive:

Updated! Watercolor Basics Class Presentation: https://www.patreon.com/posts/updated-basics-85115728

Berry Rat Printable Lineart & Graphite Transfer: https://www.patreon.com/posts/berry-rat-85077098

Why I Chose SElf Publishing- Comic Artist Art Chat: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-why-84923617

Bitter Comic Artist Hates Fine Art- A Chatty Ranty Vlog: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-art-84778208

Start to Finish Strawberry Girl: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-to-84776338

Strawberry Girl Printable Lineart: https://www.patreon.com/posts/backer-exclusive-84776469

In Defense of a Huge Palette: https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-in-84776268

New to the Public:

Sunday, June 11th: Much Aesthetic! Cuch Kawaii! Many Vibes! Phoenix Chinese Watercolor Palette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft_Ou-W4YeY

Tuesday, June 13th: Comics Broke Me- My Experiences with SCAD and Working in Comics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJNViQIHNqI

#ComicsBrokeMe is Trending on Art Twitter and I wanted To Share Some Thoughts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vncQUI8Uko

Sunday, June 18th: The Worst Watercolors?! CSY Art Gallery 'Handmade Watercolors' Unbox & Swatch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avAbE7LrUg8

Tuesday, June 20th: Is it a Scam?  Laughably Bad? Watercolor from Temu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwO58J8M64c

Sunday, June 25th: Little Explorer- A Cute Berry Rat Watercolor Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUbPo0J_5E