WHAT'S UP, DOCCC...?!! - Bugs fuckin' Bunny

Hey, everybody. Yeah, I know it's been quite some time since I've formally checked in, let you guys know I'm active and all.

First things first, here's what happened in my neck of the woods within the past month or so:

(. My nephew, Liam Charles Leary, was born on April 30th. He's chubby, healthy, and the full-on little bundle of joy to both of his parents.

(. I've been working at the local library as a page/shelver for almost 2 months now (my co-workers are friendly and it's not far away from my house; it's a great job and I'm thankful to have it).

(. Due to the library job, I've been reading a lot of books. Mostly whatever can be checked or some sweet donated ones I get to keep. I've also been spending more time with my family: helping out Mom around the house, hanging out with my bro-in-law, taking care of Liam, etc.

Since I'm being honest about my lack of usual activity, here's another but major reason: about a few weeks ago, I had been in a depressive funk, wondering if I still want to pursue being a cartoonist. Every so often, this happens and it's emotionally crippling.

I know it seemed like I had been in high spirits, what with my nephew growing up happy/healthy, spending time with my family, and me enjoying my job at the library- an optimistic attitude is a great mask, but there have been nights where I sat at the drafting table for an hour with no progress made, then just lie awake in bed wondering, "Why has the one thing that's made me happy for the longest time seemed to have lost its splendor?"

Maybe it's some form of ADHD that wandered away from when I had it as a kid then worked its way back into my adulthood. It's not an art block as I've got ideas, but yet there's a lack of focus into putting them on paper. Whatever it is, I can't settle like before, as if all time and motivation to create gets muddled. Even more so, I had been toying with the idea of pulling the plug on "Quacktown".

For anyone who's new, "Quacktown" is my webcomic that I created/draw and write. It's about a duck and his dog who work as freelance paranormal investigators in a city full of supernatural activity. I had been posting through Blogger, but since January, it's been on hiatus as I got burned out and wanted to continue through a different site. As the funk was going on, I began to wonder as I lacked a broad fan-base/audience, and it seemed like all that work was for nothing. In a nutshell, I felt like I had failed with a pet project that had been in the works since college. On top of that, I felt like I had failed as an artist, years of practicing and learning wasted, along with time and money. It even seemed like I let everybody who followed and supported through the years down (and that was the worst feeling of all).

Looking back at that week and those previous weeks, I realize now that I haven't failed: I got burned out and didn't know if I could come back like before. I think it was Elbert Hubbard who once said, "There is no failure except in no longer trying," or rather Elvis Presley who said something like, "When things go wrong, don't go with them."

My mom, sister, and bro-in-law, along with a fellow artist friend of mine gave me sound advice and pep talks that helped me put things back in prospective. So, why do I continue the pursuit of cartooning? I dunno. Maybe because I'm good at it, I like doing it, it's good for me, and even if it takes me a lifetime, I want to make a successful career out of it one day and be remembered for doing so. A simple enough answer is because I love it.

Well, I'm not giving up. There may be a time where I'll find myself in a funk, but like before, it passes and I'm back to usual "Scooterlicious" self again. Anybody remember that part in "Hook" where Robin Williams remembers his past as Peter Pan, then takes off flying into the sky? That's how I've been feeling as of late now.

As for the status of "Quacktown", rest assured: the project is NOT dead. I'd like to repost the old strips through Tumblr, then start a new ongoing storyline that will intertwine with three old strips (which may or may not be rewritten/redrawn to better accommodate my change in style/techniques). A Facebook page for it may even show up soon.

I've been wanting to get some fan-art (ponies, movies, TV shows, cartoons, gift-art for cool people, etc.- whatevah, I do what I want!) and more pinups made (just sexy artwork in general). Speaking of "sexy artwork", I had also thought about making an "ask" Tumblr comic blog with my anthro she-wolf bombshell character, Lucy Lupa. Sound good?

Right now, I'm working on a commission for my pal, "Ric-M" on deviantART. I don't wanna give too much away on what it is, but here's a hint: things that go "bump" in the night.

More new artwork shall appear, along with Quacklad and Tyrra making their return- or my name isn't Travis "Scooter" Taylor!