Yo! What's good? Been busy behind the scenes doing art, but more importantly, I've been doing a lot of work with my local DES offices and resources to get my healthcare benefits reinstated so I can go back on insurance. I've also been working to get on nutritional assistance (stamps) so livin' can all around just be a bit easier for me. Happy to announce that as of a few days ago I am back to being insured and was also approved for NA! This means that I can finally go back to having my commission money be for other non-food or medical expenses again, i.e. I won't have to immediately spend all of a $150 comm at the grocery store getting myself food and insulin haha. The second I get my cards in the mail I gotta get on making some appointments to go back to seeing my old medical team and doctors, because then it's an even longer road ahead of me with reopening my disability case. This time around I'm immediately getting legal rep when I reopen, so within a week or two's time things might get even more radio silent on my end as I bury myself in more paperwork and appointments. This shouldn't affect commissions at all, so I won't be doing anything in regards to changing what's open or not just yet, but if things suddenly go from "open" to all "closed" just know it's because dealing with the court is a pain in the ass LMAO.

Apart from that, I've been doing what I can to get out more. Been hanging with some good pals too, primarily just been hanging with for the most part <3 It's always such a blast to ride to the lake downtown together or just hang and draw together! Life's been fairly depressing, to be real for a sec, so it's been especially good for me to be getting out to see my friends and touch grass and all that. A change of scenery can do a lot for your mental state, so remember that next time things feel draining and try and get out if youre able <3

Come to think of it, I think becoming a mod for one of the major local fur discord servers has also kinda worn me down LMAO.

On another note: I've been thinking about seriously shifting my commission prices to better align with the current economy, as much as I don't want to have to. My art takes me even more time than it did a few years ago- this body don't work too good no more haha. Though still, even bearing in mind that art is a luxury on top of that, I am being reminded every time I leave the house that basic living expenses are further driving out the ability for people to afford luxuries in the first place by becoming just.. outrageously priced to be frank. Like why the fuck do eggs cost damn near 8 bucks for a dozen now? But in all seriousness, I don't feel very right or "fair" by charging what I'm worth anymore. Even if it means im missing out on the "fair" hourly wage, this is what I want to do for work, and it's only fair that my product meets the current market expectations to be able to sell at all so I can work. I've had a lot of my friends telling me not to do this, and while I appreciate the sentiment that I should be working for a fair wage per hour, I don't think some of them understand just how hard it is to be an artist with virtually NEGATIVE reach now on all your socials and to be relying on art as a source of income on top of that. Maybe ten years ago I couldve afforded to be charging what I am now, but you also need to remember that ten years ago I was terrible with people's money and communication and every other aspect of running a business. Kinda missedthat train, I guess.

So I'll likely be doing deductions to all my prices while also maintaining that im not giving myself like 5 dollars an hour, im thinking a good ten or so off most listings. I'll also probably change the way that I do commissions in general, on top of also offering additional commission types. For example, I'll soon be adding phone lockscreen comms to my listings on both Ko-Fi and Artistree as you may or may not have seen with this submission here. My pricing for my rendered pieces will likely not change or shift too much, solely because those are still multiple-day endeavors for me.

Anyways that's it for now. Maybe I should finally like, just learn how Postybirb works so i can make sure im posting everything I draw to every acc without forgetting one of them X3 Sometimes I legit forget this place exists, which is so funny to be since this was one my main art and social platform for all things furry. Until next time!

How have y'all been btw? What's new with YOU? Yes, you reading this- Give me your updates! :P