<3 I hope everyone is doing great. Things have been a little stressful for me lately with some hospital stuff (nothing currently worth talking about in detail) & just general stress of being an artist in 2023. Because of some unintended time off this week I've been thinking about my art and I felt like sharing. 

I really love working on commissions. I love the idea of being payed by someone to draw them a picture & I love it even more when I give them the final product and they're super excited. It makes me happy! But damn is it hard to make enough money with commissions.  

In the past I've talked about trying to expand what I do, but I've yet to follow through on that because it's frightening. Working on my own projects which might bring me more money in the long term means an immediate drop in income right now. I can't handle the same amount of commissions and work on my own things.(My hand can't take it!)
Starting to do my own projects is probably the right move to make. I don't think what I'm doing now is sustainable. Therefore, there will probably be less commission openings moving forward. 

---- Patreon

Currently, I offer a bi-monthly free YCH contest to my $10 patrons. I love doing this and would love to expand on it! My ideal dream situation is that I can offer this to everyone(not just the $10 supporters) and do it far more frequently.  It feels like the best way I can give back for all the support I've gotten over the years. <3

Also maybe, sorta, trying, possibly, to work on a simple comic. Which will hopefully be the beginning of many comics down the line.

https://www.patreon.com/MariArt