Vacation Time

I'm seriously excited, you guys. Next week, I'm taking my first major roadtrip with my boyfriend down to Vancouver, to visit my bestest artist buddy in the world, teknicolortiger! I haven't stayed in Vancouver for more than a day since I took a school trip with my art teacher in Grade 12, so the experience is going to be awesome to say the least~ <3

So be aware that from early June 30th to late July 4th, I will be away from home and unable to work on commissions. I will have internet available to check my email, but that's about it! But don't you worry, I will be jumping on everything with renewed enthusiasm as soon as I get back, and should have my remaining commissions finished promptly!

Becoming an Artist Full-Time

On another note, I've made the decision to quit my retail job at Walmart at the end of July, to try something scary and exciting. I'm going to attempt freelancing my art full time, to see how well I manage. I've thought it over a lot the last few weeks, and stressed over it a lot, but I feel that I've finally gotten to a point in my work where I'm responsible and motivated enough to attempt doing this. It's actually rather funny, as I recall telling myself when I was younger that I would NEVER EVER do art as my full-time job, because I feared I would ruin my love of doing it forever. But, in the last few months I've been working on commissions, I realize that I really underestimated my ability to enjoy the process of art as much as the result, and never realized the sort of wonderful people I would meet who would step forward to support me and my work, and make me feel like my art is worthwhile to pursue. This means you guys. <3

This means that come August, I will be able to host more regular streams again for creating smaller in-stream sketches and speedpaints (probably one day a week), and also have more days available where I will be able to work on my full commissions and get those done even faster. I'll also be opening up a Patreon page, for those who would like to support me for taking time with my more original, personal work, primarily illustrations focused around my fantasy world of Ahnurth.

Admittedly, I am a bit afraid for how things will turn out once I hit September. I've been accepted into the Education program at UNBC, which means an intense two-year course prepping me for the dangers and trials of becoming a high school teacher. My spare time is going to mostly evaporate with a heavy load of classwork, and I'm both excited and terrified for how it will turn out. Part of my decision to quit Walmart actually was so that I would have the flexibility of self-employment to work with for dealing with incoming classwork, and having a job that I actually enjoy for the most part (not that I don't mind being a cashier all that much). But, all we can really do is steel ourselves for the future and greet it with as much enthusiasm as possible, right~?