Sometimes our friends know us better than we do.

A few years ago I was very lucky to meet  Monstress at a local fur meet and quickly befriended her, she's a wonderful person. Back in April for my birthday, she surprised me with this beautiful headshot as a birthday gift. I was blown away, because it captures me better than any commission I've tried to capture myself in.

Y'all are probably aware I love music. It has saved my life. Literally. (If Beach House didn't surprise-release Thank Your Lucky Stars a few hours early one night in 2015, I may not be here). When my anxiety is acting up, when my depression has me low, when malaise or anger or emotion overwhelms me, I reach for Spotify or a record or a music video. For just enough, my focus shifts. I can leave my head. I can stop the voices. I can reorient myself. That's what this piece means to me.

And Snap even managed to draw canine-appropriate headphones. Thank you so much for this, truly.

Gift art by  Monstress who is also artmonstress on Twitter.