FA+
Shop
A shadow that lingers yet and always: Life update
15 years ago
Well I don't ever do this, but I think I should. I think FA has become my preferred art gallery, in spite of the darker sides of FA, I've found a very pleasant niche in this community. It feels a lot friendlier and more welcoming than DA or other galleries I have joined. So first and foremost, I wanted to thank you all for making FA feel like such a welcoming place to me personally C:.
Secondly, and the thing I never do, a short life update. The reason my uploads have been so scarce lately is simply because I've just been incredibly busy these days! Thanks to the persistent nudging of friends (
Ladyfoxglove and 
Bagheera), Im looking at you, Ive started doing some pro contract work for Bella Sara (the horse card trading game that's recently grown in popularity). The people there have been amaaaazing! I felt so intimidated and unworthy of doing anything in the professional illustration world as I am by far more self critical than anyone else could be about my own work. In anycase, what started as a few card illustrations here and there turned into a lot of new huge projects I've been honored to have been offered. Since the work has been under non-disclosure, I haven't been able to share. I think I can share a few of the earlier things I did for them as they are now published. But after all the time that has passed since Ive done them, I already don't like them (the whole artist thing where all you can see after a time is all the things that drive you crazy and you want to redo xP ). But they have kept me extremely busy since Ive started with them, and I'm grateful and more confident than I have ever been. I still feel daunted and humbled, but eager to learn and tackle new challenges more than anything! (To those curious what I have been up to, I'll try to work up the courage to post the older stuff I did for them xP, my self-criticism allowing.)
Outside of the 'day job', as it were, life has kept me busier in more ways than one. I've been happy to be a part of recurring projects (The Werewolf Calendar and the RARE Calendar). All those deadlines!!!!
Meanwhile, in the midst of all that...I have also moved :D! Yep after spending many years in the relative calm and idyllic natural splendor of Northwest Washington State, I've made a leap to living a city life in no other than...Orange County California. When my family originally immigrated from Estonia, we were hosted by a family in Texas and I spent the majority of my childhood in Texas. So far SoCal has conjured a nostalgic familiarity to my childhood in Texas and I can honestly say I like it here thus far. The drive down was a long one and much to Bagheera's chagrin, I stubbornly insisted I should be the one driving all the way. I like driving so it wasn't too cumbersome, but 16 hours of straight driving, was a first for me all the same ;D. I'm sorry I didn't let you drive Baggy xP. I have moments where I miss Washington, all my friends there and the familiarity and immediacy of the natural world, but I know I will return to visit again, and I am happy, in the meantime to learn the beauty of life in a whole new place. Instead of Heron's, ducks, coyotes and barn owls to catch glimpses of outside my window, I now see lizards, wild parrots and SO many squirrels (believe it or not I very infrequently saw squirrels in Wa!! Or maybe the ones here are just more bold and loud!)
I will say the heat here is taking some re-acclimating to, but then it is good to have a change of scenery from time to time and to take a chance to live life differently! If you haven't guessed by now I am sharing my life and home with Bagheera, whom is a gentlemen of men and has made the leap in lifestyles as smooth as possible for me. Thank you for daring to share your life, your dreams and your hopes with me dearest one, may I ever hold you in my highest esteem. May I ever feel a profound humility in your presence for it will serve as a reminder how bright a light you are within my life.
For the moment that is all I can think to say. I do not tend to share my personal, more vulnerable, side of me, but as I am glad to know all you wonderful people, it seems only fair for you to know me a bit in return. I hope I find more time to sneak in personal work between workwork and I will be happy to share it with you all.. In the meantime Bagheera does post some of our personal sketch sessions in his gallery, please do check them out if you feel up to it! Thank you for your continuing support, be it through notes, comments, faves or even just a moment of your time to hop on my page!
Secondly, and the thing I never do, a short life update. The reason my uploads have been so scarce lately is simply because I've just been incredibly busy these days! Thanks to the persistent nudging of friends (
Ladyfoxglove and 
Bagheera), Im looking at you, Ive started doing some pro contract work for Bella Sara (the horse card trading game that's recently grown in popularity). The people there have been amaaaazing! I felt so intimidated and unworthy of doing anything in the professional illustration world as I am by far more self critical than anyone else could be about my own work. In anycase, what started as a few card illustrations here and there turned into a lot of new huge projects I've been honored to have been offered. Since the work has been under non-disclosure, I haven't been able to share. I think I can share a few of the earlier things I did for them as they are now published. But after all the time that has passed since Ive done them, I already don't like them (the whole artist thing where all you can see after a time is all the things that drive you crazy and you want to redo xP ). But they have kept me extremely busy since Ive started with them, and I'm grateful and more confident than I have ever been. I still feel daunted and humbled, but eager to learn and tackle new challenges more than anything! (To those curious what I have been up to, I'll try to work up the courage to post the older stuff I did for them xP, my self-criticism allowing.)Outside of the 'day job', as it were, life has kept me busier in more ways than one. I've been happy to be a part of recurring projects (The Werewolf Calendar and the RARE Calendar). All those deadlines!!!!
Meanwhile, in the midst of all that...I have also moved :D! Yep after spending many years in the relative calm and idyllic natural splendor of Northwest Washington State, I've made a leap to living a city life in no other than...Orange County California. When my family originally immigrated from Estonia, we were hosted by a family in Texas and I spent the majority of my childhood in Texas. So far SoCal has conjured a nostalgic familiarity to my childhood in Texas and I can honestly say I like it here thus far. The drive down was a long one and much to Bagheera's chagrin, I stubbornly insisted I should be the one driving all the way. I like driving so it wasn't too cumbersome, but 16 hours of straight driving, was a first for me all the same ;D. I'm sorry I didn't let you drive Baggy xP. I have moments where I miss Washington, all my friends there and the familiarity and immediacy of the natural world, but I know I will return to visit again, and I am happy, in the meantime to learn the beauty of life in a whole new place. Instead of Heron's, ducks, coyotes and barn owls to catch glimpses of outside my window, I now see lizards, wild parrots and SO many squirrels (believe it or not I very infrequently saw squirrels in Wa!! Or maybe the ones here are just more bold and loud!)
I will say the heat here is taking some re-acclimating to, but then it is good to have a change of scenery from time to time and to take a chance to live life differently! If you haven't guessed by now I am sharing my life and home with
Bagheera, whom is a gentlemen of men and has made the leap in lifestyles as smooth as possible for me. Thank you for daring to share your life, your dreams and your hopes with me dearest one, may I ever hold you in my highest esteem. May I ever feel a profound humility in your presence for it will serve as a reminder how bright a light you are within my life.For the moment that is all I can think to say. I do not tend to share my personal, more vulnerable, side of me, but as I am glad to know all you wonderful people, it seems only fair for you to know me a bit in return. I hope I find more time to sneak in personal work between workwork and I will be happy to share it with you all.. In the meantime Bagheera does post some of our personal sketch sessions in his gallery, please do check them out if you feel up to it! Thank you for your continuing support, be it through notes, comments, faves or even just a moment of your time to hop on my page!
(I do not deserve so many kind words, my Lady.)
AND YES VISITINGS WILL HAPPEN
And glad you found your nitch here at FA, I myself have found DA is just to flooded with people, you get lost in the shuffle and only recently really found my love for FA.
Well, rock on, enjoy your new life here under the sun where the only real difference with Winter is a few more cold and over cast days then summer XD Oh and the rain and sink holes, and days of ash from fires; but you should be fine, don't freak out when the sky is red and orange XD
Oh, you should check out Antheria, if you are into fur cons, it's the first weekend of October.
And now I have a goal to see these parrots up close, though they do seem to stay rather high up from what Ive seen so far!
Awesome to hear from you again.
I'm really looking forward to fall being around the corner though. Eee~
Take it easy! =3
Whenever you like your arts or not, I'll always love to see them~ XD
I live in So-Cal to. Ever heard of the high desert? =P
I'm glad that CA is working well for you. Moving can be hard for some people! Also congrats on making it through on those projects! I'm sure the work you did for them was stellar.
I always love to see your art, be it workwork or private arts, it's always worth deeper studying, and I so wish for you to one day see how amazing an artist you are and keep your works as little precious stones in your heart and mind.
All the best for you two :)
KO'ed.
Will have to have you up to the cabin for foodins and tea :D
The weather here is nice and autumnal, we'll have to get together soon.
We talked about shabu too, but if you guys come up I'll cook!
you should come to a few of the gatherings here in socal
May you and Bagheera find happiness eternal together.
so now you went to live in the sun. watch out so you don't go popcorn on us. XD
curiously enough, most parrots are very adaptable to rougher climates. my hometown, the city of Stuttgart, germany, is home to a large flock(?) of parrots of different species, from pigeon-sized to green aras and such. they seem to survive the sometimes harsh winters, and if all else fails they seek refuge at the zoo. the rest of the year they roam the eastern part of town, where you can hear them squawk and scream like a group of children playing, and sometimes see them fly over the rooftops. ^^
*points a fan at herself to avoid going popcorns*...be too tempted to eat myself if I turn popcorn...so better to not tempt fate!
As for parrots..thats so interesting :D! Makes places seem more exotic that way and I have always been fascinated with domesticated animals that return to a feral state and seem to lead such succesful lives as such. It's interesting that it's different breeds of parrots that came to live together in a group though O_o!!
I don't remember the exact species of all them parrots, but it really looks like that the various species' swarms happily mingle with each other. probably due to enough food sources, I guess, as some wild birds which are normally territorial mingle easily (although not without fuss) at established food places. ^^
I wish you the best in your new home.
I am glad you enjoy the community here, as I have also come to such a conclusion. Of all the art galleries out there, I really enjoy this one the best mostly due to the community <3
Wow, Texas huh? Though I wasn't born here, I've been living in Texas for quite some time. I actually happened to be in California for about 6 months, before moving back. West Coast is defiantly a beautiful place, one I hope you enjoy {even though you just moved from north part of the east coast to the south XD}
Anyways, I am glad to see someone willing to share and is so happy in their life. Best wishes to you!