December Update: Commissions, 2022, art art art (Patreon)

Hey everyone, 

I thought I'd write up a small update for everyone since there's not long until 2022 (...I'm so over 2020/2021 but ..also not ready)

So this year in review has been overwhelmingly worse than 2020 for me. While there are some great things that happened like my engagement(yay!) its been very very difficult to get up in the morning. Work is so tough, family is just terrible, I'm on anxiety medication, in therapy weekly, and trying my hardest just to get through each day. I'm really hoping for 2022 to mark an improvement overall. 

Anyway I didn't want to be a downer, you're not here for that! You're here for art! and if you're here for commissions then this next section is useful to you. I will be spending next year saving to hopefully try and move house soon, we're just very unhappy in our current set up and can't wait to move and better our mental health. I also have to keep spending 100+ eur every week for my therapy which will probably continue indefinitely. I also want to keep saving to give my mother the possibility of going to therapy too (should she agree), as she would benefit greatly from it, but can't really afford it. I'd like to be able to help my brother pay for things like this. I also have a wedding to plan for next year ideally, it's all a lot. 

So with all that I do plan on opening my etsy shop, opening my commissions in the new year. Etsy shop will come back with a discounted sale, I want all my stock to go if possible as I'm unsure how long I want to keep shipping physical stuff myself. It's exhausting and it takes me away from the part I love most which is creating art, and designing stuff. Maybe I'll make merch here and there but I don't want to focus on it to the degree I was previously.

I will however do some physical pieces to sell, more POSCA originals, maybe some copic marker pieces.

Commissions will be more plentiful next year, I know a lot of you were waiting a long time and for that I'm sorry. While I will open commissions, I want everyone to please be patient with me as I plan on opening slots often..but there may only be one or two slots with each opening. But overall I hope to open more often. I am easy to overwhelm lately, commissions are admittedly not the most enjoyable for me when it comes to art, but I know that I'll be able to get them done faster and to a better quality if I take it in smaller batches. And have less hanging over my head, less weighing me down for longer.

The selection process will be the same as before, not first come first serve, I will be choosing which projects I take so when you submit any ideas/characters to me when the time comes, make sure its your best foot forward! Submit characters you think I'd enjoy based off my gallery, to up your chances being picked I can safely say that I don't enjoy:

- Having to do lots of versions of a single piece

- Very large pieces with insane bgs - I may need to keep things simple for the time being

- More than 2 characters ( its possible to convince me otherwise on this, BUT it depends on the idea)

- Complex armor (sorry ffxiv OCs, ill likely turn it down if the outfit isnt relatively simple)

- The OC doesn't have a drawn reference sheet ( I really don't like having to work from screenshots, sorry!)

I will also open for Enoki customs at some point next year, I'm more likely to accept your custom idea if you're willing to be flexible and work with me on the new OC since Enoki do have a lot of rules and specifics. I'm also more likely to accept it if you have a clear vision of what they look like, it makes it easier since there is less back and forth going on, less that I can get wrong. 

I'm just saying all this so maybe you can start planning, and put your best foot forward if you want to work with me next year!

While I'm working through some really intense mental health/family stuff, I will try my best to keep working, I know my output has fallen lately, and that is 100% due to me having physically and mentally no energy. I really hope this comes back soon, I'm really trying my best and sometimes I know it may not seem like it. I'm so thankful for your patience with me, your support, and your kindness through this weird..awful year. 

I really hope you all have the best holiday season possible, whatever that means for you personally. with family, with friends, on your own, or just you and your cat. I hope you know that I treasure you, and am so thankful because your support has directly let me continue my work, while also being able to take care of myself during hard times like these. Thank you so much. ;_;

I hope you enjoy the stuff I put out this month, and next year. <3

Love, Izzy xx