FA+
Shop
Thank you all for an amazing year.
6 years ago
I was going through my photoshop documents, and I realized I have to say thank you to this community for the most productive year I've had in the entire decade. I have drawn more completed pictures in 2019 than any time in the last 10 years, while still having a full time job, working only on the side. I can see vast improvements between the first picture of 2009, and the last picture of 2019, and I feel that I have grown mostly because of the generosity and support specifically of this community. I didn't even start drawing furry art until my cat got sick in 2017, but I've pushed myself to learn new things every time I draw a commission, and y'all have enabled me to continue doing art.
In 2009 I entered into art college expecting to learn how to animate so I could be an animator. I loved animation and video games and wanted nothing more than a career in art. But the college I went to was a predatory for-profit college, and I had (as of then) undiagnosed ADHD that made keeping up in school difficult. I was slowly slipping into depression. By 2012 I was homeless, in debt, without direction, depressed and suicidal. I became estranged from my family. I barely drew anything and had given up on any thoughts of a career in art. I had lost my last contract with a game company I had been working for, and took up farming and retail jobs just to not starve.
But things got better. Slowly. Very slowly. I got jobs where I could and eeked out a meager existence. In 2014 I married my best friend, and was financially stable (somewhat). In 2015 I was living with my husband, without roommates, and without assistance. Things were okay, but I had no motivation to move back into art. I was still depressed, and mourning what I had lost.
In 2017 my cat had to be taken to the emergency room, and I turned to the furry community and offered emergency commissions to pay for her recovery. I saw so much love out-pour from you all. You all supported me, and were the kindest community I had ever met. I saw so much genuine love and concern for my cat and for myself. After paying back the vet bill, I continued to work on commissions, using that as a springboard to get me back into drawing more often. I still work full time in an unrelated field, but I'm productive, always improving, and working on art as a side business in a way I never thought I ever would.
In 2019, I created 137 pieces of art. That is as much as I created in the previous 5 years. And I did it while also holding down a full time job. All I can say is, thank you. Thank you all so much for your support and the kindness you have shown me over the past few years. I genuinely love this community and the people in it. And for anyone struggling going into the new year, anyone depressed or scared or alone, I want to let you know that it does get better. I never believed that it would. 7 years ago I almost gave up on life. I was convinced it would never be okay again. And I was wrong. The world isn't what I wanted it to be back then - but it is good. Just different. As we go into the new year, I hope everyone's burdens ease, and that the world gets a little bit brighter.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. This decade has been a wild roller coaster of events, but if we stick together and support and love one another, I know that we can all make it through another decade together.
-Yeenr
In 2009 I entered into art college expecting to learn how to animate so I could be an animator. I loved animation and video games and wanted nothing more than a career in art. But the college I went to was a predatory for-profit college, and I had (as of then) undiagnosed ADHD that made keeping up in school difficult. I was slowly slipping into depression. By 2012 I was homeless, in debt, without direction, depressed and suicidal. I became estranged from my family. I barely drew anything and had given up on any thoughts of a career in art. I had lost my last contract with a game company I had been working for, and took up farming and retail jobs just to not starve.
But things got better. Slowly. Very slowly. I got jobs where I could and eeked out a meager existence. In 2014 I married my best friend, and was financially stable (somewhat). In 2015 I was living with my husband, without roommates, and without assistance. Things were okay, but I had no motivation to move back into art. I was still depressed, and mourning what I had lost.
In 2017 my cat had to be taken to the emergency room, and I turned to the furry community and offered emergency commissions to pay for her recovery. I saw so much love out-pour from you all. You all supported me, and were the kindest community I had ever met. I saw so much genuine love and concern for my cat and for myself. After paying back the vet bill, I continued to work on commissions, using that as a springboard to get me back into drawing more often. I still work full time in an unrelated field, but I'm productive, always improving, and working on art as a side business in a way I never thought I ever would.
In 2019, I created 137 pieces of art. That is as much as I created in the previous 5 years. And I did it while also holding down a full time job. All I can say is, thank you. Thank you all so much for your support and the kindness you have shown me over the past few years. I genuinely love this community and the people in it. And for anyone struggling going into the new year, anyone depressed or scared or alone, I want to let you know that it does get better. I never believed that it would. 7 years ago I almost gave up on life. I was convinced it would never be okay again. And I was wrong. The world isn't what I wanted it to be back then - but it is good. Just different. As we go into the new year, I hope everyone's burdens ease, and that the world gets a little bit brighter.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. This decade has been a wild roller coaster of events, but if we stick together and support and love one another, I know that we can all make it through another decade together.
-Yeenr
Let's hope it only improves further, eh? ;3