I'm back!
I've been away awhile fighting the worst of my depression, which gets difficult in the winter here. I'm on the upswing though as I look to bring my art work and hobby back together! I received a 3D pen for Christmas and am looking to start out making Pokémon figurines.
So... wow, we've come to the end of the decade. The '10s spanned an interesting time in my life. I hope it was the same for you.
Where was I 10 years ago? I was in art school and I had just become a new SuicideGirls member! I was at first interested in studying models for art reference but fell in love with the alternative community. I was a lost and confused 23 year old--who isn't at that age?
Life happened and I drifted away from art school. I joined the masses and became a corporate drone. I received instructions and executed them. I began to grow angsty. I made little attempts to express my individuality, such as valuing going above and beyond to help people; these acts were promptly stamped out and disciplined in favor of sales and profits. By mid-decade I left, giving up money to begin a long journey of self discovery.
I began volunteering. Political attacks against women's health and sexuality prompted me to take action to defend them. The backbreaking political environment of the late '10s has created lots of work to continue to push forward, fueling the flames of the resistance. I have dealt with some hateful, angry people, but both the cause and the amazing friends I've made have been well worth it.
Seemingly coming full circle, I began drawing again this year. It started as a fanfic inspired by my Pokémon GO experience that later grew into a developing fantasy world. I kept challenging myself to try new things. By the end of the year, I earned my first commission with a T-shirt design for the local Pokémon GO community.
I now look forward toward the '20s. Let's make it the Roaring Twenties! I am ready to take on the challenges life throws at me. I will be moving to New Mexico this year and looking to expand my art projects and branch out into the community. I will also be starting the ketogenic diet on January 1, more to come later.
How was your decade? What moved you, what affected you? What made you laugh so hard it hurt? What made you cry? What made you angry and what did you do about it? Who were the people that came into and fell out of your life? Who did you love? Who do you miss? Where did you start out? Where did you end up and is it what you expected? Did you have dreams, desires, goals?
Every one of us is writing a story, and 10 years is but one epoch of our amazing life stories. Together, let's celebrate the coming of the new decade!
Love, hope, and gratitude
j49n
PS: For my Pokémon GO friends! It's been slow as it's the dead of winter here. I'm going to try to get out more for 2020, so let's keep aiming for Ultra/Best Friends and hit Level 40!