Striping My Socials Bare
I think we all know why I mention it... But in case you aren't up to speed:
Many social media platforms are changing their terms and conditions. Stating so long as your account is open and active on their platforms, they can use your words, your likeness, and also photos (artwork) to train their robot models. I could sit here and mention how it infringes on artists, photographers, videographers, and other creatives rights and copyright. I could sit here and educate you on the environmental impacts it has on our planet and how this (along with... ya know.. the wars...) speeds up global warming.
But actions speak louder than words.
So my artwork is no longer on Twitter (X). And I will continue to take down my artwork on my social media pages (Meta specifically). This is a huge burn and setback for me, because I mainly get my clients and impulse commissions off of Twitter (my second largest platform) and Instagram (my largest platform and by far my most interactive.)
But for those who are becoming more active in finding your favorite creatives online... thank you. Always. And thank you for respecting our decisions to navigate online a wee bit differently than others. Who knows, maybe you'll see me on TikTok finally (art page wise) or I'll dust off my Tumblr again (more than likely).
Thank you for the journey, for the fun, for the loud support, and for also staying. I will be there, just not in the ways we are used to. I'm deleting all the tweets with illustrations and such to avoid my art style being used to train their models as much as possible.
I have a Blue Sky (guess I'll log in more often now huh?) and I also have a Cava (same comment here too). Until I feel comfortable with "Nightshade" and "Glazing" I'm just going to limit where and how my art gets shown. For now though, we are sticking with light Instagram and Tumblr.
Until another day you xoxo
My Own Cute Linktree
I'm slowly learning that it is probably best that I should have as much traffic to my personal website as possible. So here is something very silly willy but hey, it is what is it. I made a "pensurfing dot com" linktree link. Most people understand that a link tree is just that, full of links that point in the direction of all of your other [ things ]. But listen, LISTEN. I used to use Linktree (or whatever that weird URL specific was). And now, I'm not.
And don't get me wrong, we all did! But I'm slowly seeing that it is ... pointless for my to have another place to dump all the links you can easily find on my website. Many people would use that link (apparently) and find my things that way too. But to have a free not my brand link direct others to ... my paid portfolio and specific domain name? (sucks in a breath) Felt a bit... redundant 😅
Also we have yet another website that wants yet another subscription to decorate it / make it as truly functional, on brand, and pretty (specifically customizable) as possible. I still pay for Adobe (I know I know shh)... so I might as well get as much bang for my buck as possible and make my own linktree-like page. So if you click the button below OR if you come from any of my own social media, you will see that THAT link will bring you to said linktree and then in some round about way will bring you here...
Something about paying aNOTHER monthly subscription for something else for features not even worth it (or used by the average person)... yeah. Might as well do it myself. Companies really should get better with stop putting things behind a paywall. It doesn't always incentivize users to pay up; if anything (speaking for me here) it incentivizes me to find a way to not only live without, but make my own bootleg version of it.
To My Support System
I appreciate you, I appreciate the check ins and one sided contact. I appreciate those who still follow my accounts during dry art and social media seasons. Having to attack social media from a different perspective is a new feat for me. And I appreciate all of you for being here. For staying. I do.
New New New New New!
Okay so I've finally made photos of the new merch I've been making. God knows why this has taken me forever, but here we are. I have to make a lot of new updates okay? I might update and unlock my commission page(s) since now I have more artwork and specifics I can in fact go into. I'm considering having anywhere between 2-5 second animation commissions as well. I've made enough 2 second gifs / illustrations that I like to where I think offering that as a service would be pretty fun. (Making a deliverable schedule for that will absolutely be a new challenge for me to tackle.)
But look at all the BOOKS I've been making!!! I'm so excited. I'm finalizing the "My Graphic Journal" design. Making this book with my detachable disks is by far the biggest brain idea I've had in a minute. If hobbyists and professionals like this and end up sketching their favorite panels later I will in fact WIN at life. (Don't tell the universe or God yet, both of those things don't let me live in happiness long enough and love seeing me mess up curveballs. 😭)
I finally put in some work on my Artist Alley page and by far it is 🤌🏽. (Wayyy better than what it looked like yesterday let's just leave it at that 😅) I'm also considering moving my shop (I know I know shut up) from Etsy to Ko-fi again. Donations already come semi frequently there. My audience is already familiar with Ko-fi. And after paying another batch of $ for my listings that haven't gotten sale(s) in over a year? Yeahhhh. I think I can let Etsy go now 🥴
I've been off the freelance horse, but back again! I'm glad I kept my portfolio and while at a day job maintained and even rebranded it. I remember chatting with some acquaintances and one of them mentioned deleting their entire portfolio. I understood their perspective; if I'm going to need it again, might as well post recent quality work above older quantity. An interesting philosophy by far, but I am not there yet with my portfolio. I'd rather eat my kindle. By far a braver industry professional than me.
Expect more blog updates, portfolio updates, and website changes!
Later days xoxo 🌊✌🏽
Back To My Convention Roots I Go
I'm lightening up on my self a bit even though I'm still backed in my corner. Yeah, I'm in a corner, but there is no use at kicking the wall and hurting myself. (Pep talk to myself, done.)
Send good vibes so that I can return to Artist Allies soon. I've missed them for a while now. With my old day job, it was hard to stay on top of making merch and applying to conventions. Now I have time, can get back into the groove of things, found a system that works for me with applications, deadlines, etc... I think I could get back in the swing of things. I mainly know my Atlanta conventions. But after moving, now I have to get my act together for my new state and it's rules / regulations.
Please Laugh LMAO
Dimming Light
It is hard. Looking for work knowing that we are all still in a mass layoff exodus. In every industry I am familiar with. After a couple months to reflect and reground myself, it is hard looking for a light at the tunnel. Knowing and seeing my diverse art mutuals have also struggled to find work as well. Hollow and unhopeful couldn't begin to describe my worries and concerns. Send your praying grandmothers my way; mine left me a year ago to date now.
Book Journal Creations
Super stoked to see some of my bookbinding adventures come to life! I've been spending 2023 getting the prints I want for sale in order, and now I am getting my book journal(s) together! NOTHING has made me happier. I have my regular novel journal down, coming up is my graphic journal >: )
Layoffs and Laid Off
Seeing the tech industry, gaming industry, and animation industry face layoffs was hard to watch at the beginning of this year. This affected my own social circles and close friends and I loved having lunch time with other friends. But now that layoff wave has officially hit me too. My day job decided to do a reduction of force and that included me too. While there were a number of emotions I felt and that I am still feeling, I hope this slump coupled with rainy days ahead doesn't hurt my adventure and spirit soon. I hope on your side of the screen things are calmer and more manageable.
I am currently looking for work! Please see my about page and contact page for a little background about me and feel free to reach out with any full time, freelance, or contract work. I look forward to what the next adventure brings soon. ❤️🩹
Back on the Bookbinding Beat
It has been such a long time since I have shown any new and interesting bookbinding milestones. I missed making journals and after last years "I need this printer because I swear---" funk, this was just a reason to need to keep the printer. (And not return the printer for the cry for control that it was HAHA!) I cannot WAIT for you to see the projects I have made for myself and in the investment I put into bookbinding and into making things because I want to and not because I feel like I have to have some kind of return investment 🕺🏽
May the waves in your life be ones you can handle and are proud to surf 🤙🏽🌊
Blessed Are Books On Shelves
No because for those of you who saw the chaos on Twitter that was "maintenance team came and decided to break things in my room..." Yeah. I finally replaced my bookshelves. No my rent company didn't pay for it, I did. I can't stand looking at my books on the floor anymore. And from this image you gotta admit, they look pretty damn good B)
Happy New Year My Fellow Surfers
I hope this year has something exciting coming our way!
