Happy 2024! / Personal Update (Patreon)

Sorry I'm just posting this, but I guess it's better late than never ^^ My head has been so full of noise and worries, but I'm trying to keep calm. Everything's fine, just the usual anxiety and depression x)

I wanted to thank you all again for being there and helping me continue creating. I know I've already told this story before, but I ended 2020/started 2021 crying while drawing Lizzy and Lynn, convinced that they were just a waste of time and that no one would ever care about them or all the things I wanted to share with the world. And it is an essential part of my being to be creative, for I've had nothing but dreams since I was just a child. I'm not saying I didn't have a roof or food, I've been fortunate to never have to sleep on the streets, but loneliness has been a part of my life since I can remember. And yet here I am 3 years later, so happy that so many amazing, kind, and wonderful people have found something good in this part of my soul that I share through my drawings and stories ^^ So, thank you for keeping me alive, and by that I mean, for letting me tell so many things I've always wanted to tell, for being there to listen (or read) this girl's romantic dreams, and understanding them, and making them yours, and not letting me drown in that loneliness.

Writing and drawing, expressing my thoughts and feelings is necessary for me, but, if a tree falls in a forest, and there's nobody around to hear it, does it make a sound?

I appreciate not only the financial support but also and especially the messages and comments where you let me know what my art made you feel, and where you share that tiny part of you with me, even if it's something short, even if it may feel a little dumb for you to write me something. I swear it's not ^^

There are still a lot of things I want to share, and I know I've been making slow progress, but I have so many ideas and goals for 2024. I'll start attending conventions, at least in Mexico for now, but who knows? Maybe someday I'll be able to visit another country x) I hope I get the chance to make the poster for one of those cons, that also is LGBTQ+! They asked for artists to send their portfolio so they can choose a few for the art for the con, though I'm still a small artist, so, I'm trying to keep my expectations low there in case they consider numbers.

I'm editing/re-writing some texts and will soon have an AO3 to post text there, so it's easier to read everything. I've written ideas for a couple of animated shorts and probably will send them to a couple of small animation festivals and see if I can get financing to produce them. And I'll make a lot of progress on my manga, instead of just posting a few pages every once in a while. I'll even try to get back to making music, as some of you may know, my girls would originally have a band, and in their current story, music is still an important part of their lives (might be a bit obvious, especially when you look at the necklaces I usually draw them with) so, of course, I want to compose something I'd love them to play x)

I have an electronic drum kit, and guitar, and I'll try to get a bass and a keyboard this year x) And hopefully I'll find someone who sings! I know I'm aiming a bit too high, but if we ever make an animated series or short with Lizzy and Lynn, there's nothing I'd love more than making the music for it xD Though I'm not that good as a musician, so I'll also study a lot to become better. Making music was also one of my biggest dreams since I was a teenager xD and I've had the chance to be in a couple of local bands, but nothing that lasted enough.

Finally, I want to get back into HRT. I started 5 years ago, but I became irregular and stopped almost 3 years ago. Doing that has not been helpful at all ^^' If anything, it has worsened my depression, so I should change that, but just recently found a place with the help of a friend (thank you Dianita!! ^w^) where I can start HRT again, so, I hope things start to get better when it comes to my dysphoria.

I'll bring you many surprises this year, and I'm so excited! <3 I hope I can continue sharing everything I create with you! Thank you again for being so amazing and I wish nothing but the best for all of you this year. Love, acceptance, happiness and the chance to be yourselves and feel comfortable to live your lives! And please, always try to be a light in this world! I know it's difficult, and sometimes we're sad and tired, but it makes me happy to know that we're the ones more willing to make others smile.

Love, Sam.

(Here's a couple of photos of me, the first one is from my last birthday, 2 weeks ago :D)