Lately I have been pretty busy, so I wanted to make a journal to update you all. Hello my fellow watchers and deviants!
I am deciding to write this journal up due to recent global things and wanted to put my two cents into them because it's getting out of hand. If you don't want to read my little rant, jump to the bottom of this journal to see my art updates. Now, let's get into it.
STOP FREAKING OUT
I understand this is scary because the virus is spreading fast, but that doesn't mean you should raid stores and make things worse for other people. I am living in a rented home and recently tried to go to the store for my weekly groceries. The lines were massive, I saw two strangers arguing over freaking toilet paper, and I got horrible sore feet and knees from being there for TWO HOURS. It didn't help that I have a cold, and when I have a cold, I get deep coughs and it freaks everybody out (I assure you it's not bronchitis because I always cough like this with colds - I blame my dad's genetics). I was tired and rambled like crazy with my SO on the way home. This is what I said in a convenient bulleted list that I intend to direct towards the people reading this:
- Wash your flippin' hands and do NOT waste water.
- Stop buying extra stuff - there are others who need it more than you do.
- Don't spread misinformation. It's cruel and can really hurt others.
- Stay home if you feel any kind of sick - your immune system will thank you.
- Stop treating this like the world is going to end. It's just another flu, which happens every year.
- Do NOT discriminate people - I have read stories time and time again about this and it makes me sick to my stomach.
- Buying huge packages of bottled water is ridiculous and does not help the plastic crisis. The virus is NOT in the water.
- The virus is also not going to make you stay on the toilet 24/7. Hospitals, businesses, and other companies need these because they have more people to take care of.
I have so much more to say but then this journal would get crazy long if I did. I'm tired of hearing others over emphasizing this virus. Social media may be helpful when getting updates, like my university extending Spring Break for another two weeks, but recognize that this is not meant to scare you. News outlets are there to present news and provide information. Remember that if you, a loved one, or somebody else you know has the virus, that doesn't mean they are in peril. There have been more survival cases than deaths, and the media is not highlighting this.
Please take a deep breath and recognize the good things happening now. They have test kits, they have survivors, they have resources, and while some things are difficult to come by, you have power to take care of yourself too. Please realize that the fear around this is because people are feeding off each other's fear. You are above this fear, and you are here, living for crying out loud. Take precautions, of course, but do it to protect yourself and others, not because you are fearful. Follow your state's/country's/area's rules. Take a step back and see the situation before diving headfirst. Do your research. Call your doctor. Be informed. Just don't do it because you're scared - do it because you are strong.
If you want somebody to talk to, my notes and discord are open to talk.
ALRIGHT SO regarding art now, I am really iffy about doing more Steven Universe artwork. I didn't gauge the start of my Together Again comic well with the show ending, and I still have a lot of fusions I need to finish, and I honestly cannot leave this amazing show behind 
I love it way too much and it has changed me for the better, which I will be creating in a Thank You appreciation piece soon. Now that I am renting, I don't have easy access to CN so I have to scour the internet to get the taste of these final episodes. I love the final messages it's tackling, and they are doing amazing so much that I hope the ending is satisfying to both the audience and the characters. I feel so called out in certain episodes that I laugh and realize how much the show means to me. Despite this, I'm still unsure about continuing on doing art for it. I don't want to cling on the show like a lifeline, I want to treat it as a step forward. And it has - I have never thought so much about my mental health until watching the show, and I plan on talking to a professional to better myself. I want to be happy, mentally and emotionally, and Steven Universe has focused on how important this is that it makes me tear up. I want to keep the messages the show stated, So I'm going to continue Together Again and treasure the characters I made from my love for the show - don't think I'm going to drop the comic all at once!
I love it way too much and it has changed me for the better, which I will be creating in a Thank You appreciation piece soon. Now that I am renting, I don't have easy access to CN so I have to scour the internet to get the taste of these final episodes. I love the final messages it's tackling, and they are doing amazing so much that I hope the ending is satisfying to both the audience and the characters. I feel so called out in certain episodes that I laugh and realize how much the show means to me. Despite this, I'm still unsure about continuing on doing art for it. I don't want to cling on the show like a lifeline, I want to treat it as a step forward. And it has - I have never thought so much about my mental health until watching the show, and I plan on talking to a professional to better myself. I want to be happy, mentally and emotionally, and Steven Universe has focused on how important this is that it makes me tear up. I want to keep the messages the show stated, So I'm going to continue Together Again and treasure the characters I made from my love for the show - don't think I'm going to drop the comic all at once!My other art plans include creating a fan character for BNHA, as well as trying different techniques when it comes to hair, body types, facial expressions, and outfits! I'm somewhat considering making a Patreon once I graduate, but I will only do that if any of y'all want to contribute <3 I personally think it's weird to show WIPs on here, and I'd like to provide sneak peeks of work to those who like my art before others. I'm just not sure in terms of how Patreon is regarding artists and fees, so I guess I'll get to that point once the semester is over.
I also hate hate HATE that I'm getting writer's block with Waiting for Amber Skyy, because I want to add a different feel than the original books but also stay true to the timeline. I believe I finally have it all aligned the way I want it, but I'm so torn with how I want it to end. Honestly, some scenes I have reflect specific songs and others I cannot piece together to sound the way I want it. I'm not sure if I want to post a chapter as soon as I'm done with it, or wait until I have several to start posting them on a schedule. I also would like to draw out scenes because I rarely draw Amber and the characters, but I have so many other art ideas I want to do too.
Speaking of stories, I have this one I've been working on for years and want to draw up the characters as well, but I'm not sure if I want to risk the idea/concept so others could possibly steal it. What should I do? I may just draw the characters and not disclose their background, but I think it will help me cement some ideas down for the story. I would love to hear suggestions, and any advice you have.
My commissions will always be open no matter what and the prices will only change during holidays. I am not reducing them by any means, because they take time to do and it is reasonable for me to be paid for it. I bet some of you think they are pretty high, but a person I consider as a second mother is a well-known artist and thinks they should be higher. BUT, as much as I want to further my art, I'm unsure about treating it more than a hobby. This doesn't mean I'm going to drop it, because it makes me happy and challenges me to create something visually pleasing. I love drawing, and I will always be drawing. I'd like to do more speedpaints, and I'd like to do more challenges, but life always gets in the way. I'm thinking that after I graduate I will do more art and post my process to YouTube, but I will have to cross that hurdle once I reach it, because life is definitely a priority right now.
I didn't expect this journal to end up this long, especially in regards to my art/personal life, but I needed to get this off my chest. TLDR: Steven Universe is a huge impact on me as a person, I want to expand my art skills, am questioning doing art for stories and when to post new chapters, and my art is important to me.
Created at simplydevio.us
Steven Universe in my style