I mentioned last blog that I was getting "stressed out to the point of illness"... the thing is, I happen to be one of those people who bottle all that stuff up inside - smiling is easy, but sometimes it's not the healthiest thing to do, and I've gotten that good at it that sometimes I don't even realise how badly it's getting to me, until my own body starts to tell me.

On top of everything else, my hours got cut down incredibly low a week or two ago - they hit 10hrs a week, the lowest they've ever been. That can't even pay a weeks rent, never mind everything else I need to pay on a weekly/monthly basis... I was panicking, so upset, looking for new jobs; I started with agonizing chest pains again, that painkillers have no affect on, that leave me a moaning, crying wreck... (I've had them before, been to the doctors and A&E and noone has been able to figure out what they are, and it's only recently I've noticed they only happen when I'm going through particularly stressful situations.)

It sort-of culminated when I was speaking to one of the supervisors all normal and ended up on the verge of tears and being hugged - nobody has spoken to me about it since but they almost immediately changed the rota and I mysteriously ended up with an extra shift, and seem to be first on the point of call for any extra shifts going. It's still not ideal - I'm gonna be broke for a long time - but it's enough to struggle through, for now.

I mentioned last blog that I wasn't enjoying nights out anymore... It just so happens that the day after I wrote that, I went out for a friend's birthday and had the best night out I'd had in ages.


Possibly because the friends I went out with are such beautiful people...


I am lucky to have absolutely wonderful people in my life who would be there whenever I need them - something that has been proven to me many times recently.
They'll also cook us enchiladas and give me wine just because they miss spending time together.


I've lost all the weight I gained by being on really strong medication that cut my gym time out completely... I'm at my healthiest and well on my way where I want to be.

I finally have my next tattoo booked! It's my coffee-dedication tattoo It was designed by Loish, a favourite artist of mine for many years now, and it's going to be done by the incredible Mark Bester.
So damn excited! It's full colour, rather large and on my side... I'm just hoping all they say about the ribs being painful is exaggeration. It's not till the start of August, but since the money situation is so shit at the moment that gives me plenty of time to, y'know, sell everything I own in order to afford it.
That said, if you'd like to support my tattoo fund by commissioning me to draw/paint something or buying one of my originals, just message me or e-mail j.e.s.s.d@hotmail.co.uk! It'd be incredibly helpful right now

Still putting in work on AnnaLee's painting, it should be done pretty soon...


It got featured on the SG instagram, so that was pretty cool - gained 100+ followers overnight It's the third time my art's been on thier instagram feed, always makes me happy to know it's noticed and appreciated.
Some other little sketchbook doodles and stuff:



(This one was inspired by an Instagram photo that GoGo posted:


Tomorrow, I start a twelve week intensive art course/bootcamp... I can't wait. It'll be weird having deadlines and assignments and stuff again, but I think it's just what I need - a creative kick up the ass, aha. I can't wait to see the improvement it has on my work... It's run by Noah Bradley, a concept artist and illustrator who I've admired for ages. So I'll be pretty busy with that, but I should have lots of work to show you!

Again, since I'm going through a rough patch financially... If you'd like to help me out by commissioning me to draw/paint something or buying one of my originals, just message me or e-mail j.e.s.s.d@hotmail.co.uk!