You know what I hate?
When you have an artist you follow closely, or, heck, maybe even loosely, and they just sort of vanish off the face of the earth one day. What the heck happened to them? Are they okay?
If you ever wondered this about where I have been, first off, yes, I am okay, I'm happy to report! Then let me tell you about what I've been up to, and where my art's going to go from here.
About one year ago, during Covid, I lost my mind, chopped off my hair to be short like I'd always wanted, and applied to go back to school. I'm currently in an accelerated graduate program and I'm going to graduate this fall. I'll be getting a Masters degree, with a thesis on queer expression in fan fiction (and by the way, if you'd like to be interviewed for this, reach out!). Yes, I am working on fan fiction in an academic sense. And I love it! I'm considering a doctorate, but not for a few years.
I also got off the night shift after nearly a decade. One of the reasons I loved night shift so much is it allowed more time for my art, but it was *not* good for my health in the long run, I recognized. So as much as I loved it, I switched to a daytime role. This also allowed me to go back to school, and to spend more time with my family.
On the subject of family....! And no, I don't have any kids of my own, but my brother has two that I dedicate a lot of time to these days. Most of my art commissions right now are for them I draw a lot of unicorns and dinosaurs, as you can imagine. My parents also both retired. My dad has been going through some health stuff, so I've been having to do more around the house in the past few years, but that's okay. Not only can I churn out a one shot in a day, I can also fix a drain and lay a tile floor. Who knew?
In terms of art, I've been doing a lot of things away from the computer this year. While it's cool to be taking a Masters program that should be three years in one year, it's also SUPER tiring, and between that and a job in front of a laptop, a lot of times any additional time spent in front of a computer makes me feel nauseous. So I've had to put a lot of writing on hold for the time being, until I graduate. In terms of hobbies away from the computer, I do everything from gardening, to rock tumbling--And even tried taking up the banjo. I am _not_ good at it. Not by a longshot.
That being said, I have been working on fanfics here and there when I can, and I've also been working on an original novel that I hope to have completed by early next year. I could not have even started to pursue something like this without the constant encouragement, critiques, and feedback you all have provided me through the years. So I thank you for that.
I know it's been a rough time. I'm only sorry that I have not been able to be there for you more, and provide more artwork for you to help maybe give you a quick few minutes' worth of distraction from what sometimes feels like a world that is falling apart. I hope to be back to you soon, after I've finished school. I might have even published something by that point. Whatever I do, please know that it is in part thanks for your encouragement and sticking by me through all of these years.
I'll be posting this message on other platforms, too, as well as how to reach me -- Because I'd love to keep in touch! I want to see how you've been, how you've grown. And if you have had a rough go of the past couple of years, I want to lend an ear to you.
I hope I can be back here to you soon. <3
If you want to get in contact with me, here are the easiest ways right now:
Instagram: @oopsalltowers
Discord: Lucy_J#5425
Tumblr: http://quietanarchist.tumblr.com
If you aren't on any of those, just drop me a line here, I may be on some other platform I'm not familiar with.
Thank you, please take care of yourselves, and take care of others. <3
Love,
J. Lucy-Daisuke