#eoy 2023

[moriarteaparty]

radicalize, accessorize, transgenderize pt 2

he/him

(realized I never posted my fave pics from 2023)

[julesonrecord]

Take What You Need: Jules' EOY Affirmation Basket

Affirmations for the end of the year and always, from what I've learned this year. May you be safe, healing, and happy this year, friends. Take what you need, leave the rest, add your own. 🩵

I deserve to have my boundaries respected.

I deserve to be held as much as I hold.

I don't need to justify being hurt "enough" to let someone go.

Sometimes the heart knows it's hurting before the mind does, and vice versa. That's okay.

Mindfulness, rest, positive relationships, and health are more valuable than anything.

Not everyone needs to like me. In fact, it's probably a good thing if they do not. I can be likeable and not be a doormat.

The right person to be with in life, in love? There is no "the one". There are many. I am grateful for the people in my life who prove day by day they will work to support me, as I work to support them.

Sometimes someone I love will turn into a person I don't know. It's okay to let them go. They have their journey to walk, and our paths may meet again.

I have no schedule, no deadline, no meter of productivity to meet in order to define myself as "enough," "good at X," or [insert label such as writer, artist, reader, etc]. Babe, they're made up.

My feelings are important. They all have their place. I can let them be and understand myself better by doing so.

That vague post isn't about me.

No, not that one either.

My body deserves chocolate and therapy. What's good isn't always easy, but it's usually worth it.

It's really much better to be hecking silly. I like my silly self.

I love you. I'm here for you. I'm so proud of you.

[m3kszgyulafan]

2023

Mi volt jó 2023-ban? Például ezek:

Lemezek: 1. The Lemon Twigs - Everything Harmony 2. Spector - Here Come the Early Nights 3. Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever 4. Grian Chatten - Chaos for the Fly 5. Slowdive - Everything Is Alive 6. Jaakko Eino Kalevi - Chaos Magic 7. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin 8. Kate Davis - Fish Bowl 9. Belle and Sebastian - Late Developers 10. Sparklehorse - Bird Machine 11. The Go! Team - Get Up Sequences Part Two 12. Ash - Race The Night 13. Beach Fossils - Bunny 14. The Mountain Goats - Jenny from Thebes 15. Blur - The Ballad of Darren 16. The Coral - Sea of Mirrors

Sorozatok: 1. Dave 3 2. Ted Lasso 3 3. Somebody Somewhere 2 4. Shrinking 5. The Lying Life of Adults 6. Gólkirályság 7. Rain Dogs 8. Beckham (Jó, ezt még csak most kezdtem, meg amúgy is doku, de idefér :D)

Ide még egy-két mondatot engedtessék meg nekem. Miután tavaly, 2022-ben konkrétan az első helyezettet véletlenül, fene sem tudja hogy, de kihagytam a listáról (After Life 3), így nehezen lehet komolyan venni a fenti sorozatos listát. Nem készítek év közben feljegyzéseket sajnos. Ugyanakkor leszögezni kívánom, hogy valami borzadály kevés sorozatot nézek, egyrészt mert nem érdekelnek, másrészt mert borzasztó sok a szar, én meg nem kotorászok már a szarban. Ráadásul két korábbi elsöprő kedvencem, a Happy Valley 3. évada, és a Time 2. évada el sem jutott hozzám, mert nem elérhető még legálisan felénk. Lehet 2024-ben lista sem lesz ebben a szegmensben. A lemezekről ugyanakkor hosszabban is tudnék írni, de kinek van erre ideje? Az a szegmens nincs veszélyben.

Koncertek: Ennek a szegmensnek sincs semmi értelme már :( Mindenesetre elképesztően nagy dolog 2023-ban mindenféle szempontból, hogy még eljutok külföldre koncertre. Így hát nem is lehet más: 1. Ash / Graz

Legjobb dalok: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26ERdtsH4sVrt1EZZxpurl?si=71a7a54a7a334487

[firstdegreefangirl]

Hey, no. 23 and Chenford for the Spotify Wrapped ship ask, please. Thank you.❤️

23: Stars -- Andrew McMahon

Alright, I won't take the copout and use the same lyrics as I did for the gifset this song inspired (for the record, they were the stars that fell for you, they fell for you and I'm fallin' too and you can find the gifset here)

Instead, we'll go with this:

we have skirted lines and endings, we have flirted with disaster, you were there in the beginning, I'll be there for what comes after

send me a number (1–100) and a ship and I’ll give you the lyrics from that song that remind me of them

[southrobin]

Just got news that I'm boothing at EOY 2023!!! :0

[firstdegreefangirl]

22 and buddie for the ship spotify wrapped thing

22. Christmas Lights - Zach Seabaugh

it's like leaving up my Christmas lights in June, it's embarrassing how long I'll wait for you

send me a number (1–100) and a ship and I’ll give you the lyrics from that song that remind me of them

[coda-blue]

(This is a crosspost from my Patreon. To see the rest of the free, accompanying art dump, click here.)

**********************************************************

Yes, this is technically my second End of Year Review post, as my first was back in 2022! If my posting records have anything to show for it, it's clear that in 2023 I ended up engulfed in research and pushing for yet a few more collaborative projects until daylight hours grew shorter. At that point, mustering the energy for EOYR2023 was not in the cards for me, but there is nothing stopping me from returning to that time and speaking on last year as well.

This post aims to summarize both 2023 & 2024 in review, where I again address my progress in various aspects of both project development and personal development.

Massive dump incoming:

Project Summary

Art 2023

The focus was art concepts and game assets for a handful of collaborative visual novel projects, but not nearly as many as the year prior. Just as in 2022, I did not feel the desire to draw for myself when compared to the sense of obligation I had to deliver in other projects... until the middle of the year, when it returned! Arguably! But it seems the desire did not convert into much action until the year after.

In 2023, I made...

Dynamic character sprites and reference sheets for Hello, Counsel by Miseri

Promotional art and logo designs for The Beauty Which Only Beast Knows demo by PumpkinSpike and Akua Kourain

Cover art for The Plaza: A Horror Anthology by Allie Vera

A few commissions for private clients

Fan sketches of Dr. Serizawa from Godzilla, tee hee

Art 2024

Reinvigorated and renewed in the new year, I was running out the gate with new style studies to challenge me. I had set a goal to draw one full-color illustrated piece a month, with a bingo card of personal art trials by my side. Alas, by late April, I had been hired to a new project as a writer. The time-consuming role had my art challenge fall by the wayside. A few art commissions sprinkled in here and there, but ultimately, 2024 was top-heavy art-wise.

In 2024, I made...

A style study illustration of my and Elm's character Bellarmino from our WIP project Primrose Path

A commission of a genderbent MC from Love and Deepspace for a private client

Character pose sketches for a private client

Fan art of Seamus and Hugo from Of Sense and Soul by Forsythia Productions

A Hamtaro OC fan art "attack" on Artfight

Secret Ending CGs for Wake Up Magical Girl! by Miseri

Facial character concepts for Drop Dead Daters

Some experimental, traditional pieces at my library's monthly art night

Writing 2023

Mostly preproduction material for personal visual novels. Most impactful were my notes for The Corpse Lieutenant, spending months looking into—frankly—emotionally exhausting topics in order to better contextualize the thinking behind my main character, and shared some of those insights here on Patreon. Much of the reading pulled from real historical events during World War II. After these notes though, it did take some time for me to reengage with the project. I likely did not realize how the intensity of the content would impact me until much later.

My 2022 concern that I had no drive to produce more short, personal works, and that hopefully it would turn around in 2023 did not materialize. But far more importantly, this year, I did not feel so pressed about such output. It is what it is!

In 2023, I wrote...

More plot outlining for my unnamed sprite and spider adventure visual novel

Notes on war crimes, related criminal testimony, and psychology research for The Corpse Lieutenant

Writing 2024

The overwhelming majority of 2024 was dedicated to a dating sim visual novel project for which I was hired. I ended up being offered a promotion to a greater and additionally more managerial role among the freelance writing department. I found the shared creativity of the freelancers very uplifting and inspiring. Equally, production had proven challenging for many reasons.

Because I had to prioritize this large commercial project, I had not made much time to return to my own visual novel, The Corpse Lieutenant. That said, I did plot out and bullet story beats for considerable changes to the script that I believe are for the better. I also ended up creating a separate guilty pleasure, just-for-fun fiction project with my best friend in order to break up the writing monotony, as well as the beginnings of a different project with a different friend's studio.

In 2024, I wrote...

Expanded scenes and narrative changes for the second draft of The Corpse Lieutenant

A narrative design document, writing style guide, event script template, demo outline draft, interview transcripts, and character route outlines with other co-writers as a lead freelance writer for a studio client

Some story concepts for an upcoming project with Studio Ephua

Edits for a friend's WIP novel

Several chapters of a gay supernatural sports story under an alias with my best friend that you will have to find yourself if you're curious lol

Audio 2023

Compared to 2022, I really slowed down on voice acting and audio engineering. Much of that work came from volunteering on game jams. But after the fun work of lending my voice to a poison-dealing romance during one such jam, that was really it for the year.

A project or two afterwards where I was brought on for my voice work did not materialize. That may have influenced my setting it aside into the next year, as I've written before that I don't have the time and energy as an independent, non-union, and agentless talent to really hustle for roles in a paid capacity. At least, not when I put more weight into art and writing at the moment.

In 2023, I have...

Voiced Marie Chaligault in the Belladonna's Flight demo by Night Asobu

Audio 2024

I did not do any voice acting or audio engineering this year. I did not plan for any, I did not seek it out, nor was I approached for any.

That said, I had been invited to a couple of just-for-fun gaming and anime commentary streams with anime enthusiast, anime journalist, and content creator Wolfborg, so huge shoutout to him for knowing I'd bring the funk! Probably. I mean I brought something, lol.

In 2024, I have...

A few goofball special guest appearances on anime review & co-op gaming streams by Wolfborg

Business 2023

My primary focus was streamlining some processes for requests of my services, drafting up new and comprehensive ToS and forms for my commission and consultation services, and detailing processes of how I usually go through an accepted request or session for new client transparency.

In 2023, I have...

Set up my art commissions page and request form

Set up my narrative consultation page, request form, and booking site

Updated my art and writing portfolios and resumes

Killed my Twitter/X and moved to Bluesky

Joined some online art commission request communities

Business 2024

I did not do much this year in the way of business preparation, organization, or expansion. Much of my time was taken up by the actual work I was performing. I don't foresee doing much business building in 2025 either, probably just maintaining the websites and resources I do have, but once I get the ball rolling on certain projects, I will want to more aggressively market my services online to my target audience of independent creative clients.

Personal Review

Career 2023

The year before, I mentioned wanting to move into an associate or assistant producer, product management, project management, or art director role for a "steady day job". This year, I made strides towards applications for at least 2D character artist roles at AA studios, and learning specifically about project management in independent study so that I could be ready when it came time to purchase an exam to pass for certification.

Unfortunately, I've not been picked up for any such positions yet. Regarding character artist roles, 2D appears to be a shrinking demand. 3D is the vogue, as is working knowledge of 3D game engines like Unreal. Tragically, I do not have any 3D skills or knowledge, though I want to at least pursue 3D sculpting once I can afford a better workstation.

As for PM certification, I want to hold off until I can really spare the cost for an exam.

I want to continue my efforts into 2024, but there is a small part of me that wonders if I would fare better in a completely unrelated day job with much lower barriers of entry, just so I don't end up burning out on my passions. Because at the end of the day, affording to do my projects is not just a money issue. It is also a time and energy balance as well.

Career 2024

Looking back in 2023, the classic artist's plight of the suitable "day job" did force me to pivot in my plans, as I did not find much immediate success in applying for my ideal roles in a difficult industry. I decided to compromise for now and take on a smaller "stepping stone" role, just so steadier income could come in that I could reinvest into my tools, services, and projects. But the biggest thing was that balance of time and energy as well. I began to focus on finding flexible, local jobs to keep my chin above water, with a growing emphasis on arts-adjacent or community-related roles.

Two big things happened this year: I applied for and was awarded a $2.5k independent artists grant from my state arts council, and I got a much more flexible day job. The grant was validation that the work I do online is worthy of monetary support in the eyes of my state, and opened up a new way of support for me and my art. And the new day job—where under the county government, I work to keep school children safe—has opened my eyes up to roles that specifically give back to my town, as I do want my day job to be uplifting and enriching for those around me. But perhaps best of all, these two things give me time and money for my personal projects, and to hone new art and business skills.

Moving into 2025, I think at the end of the day, I will be more focused on being self-made, and making career moves that allow me to be so, rather than the prestige I seem to attach to more traditional industry employment.

Hobbies 2023

My concern in 2022 was that I would continue having a dearth in desire to do creative personal work for study or fun. I mentioned that I'd like to try something unrelated to the writing and drawing that I do for work, introducing a new passion into my life. I even thought about whittling, or learning bass guitar.

Sadly, I did not pick up either of these things. I do still want to try whittling though, lol, but I think in 2023, I just didn't set time aside. The good thing though is that my concern became acceptance: sometimes, as I do art and writing for work, I may not want to do more in my spare time beyond engaging friends and consuming media. And that's more than acceptable.

Hobbies 2024

I allowed myself to explore a different part of my creativity that wasn't as reliant on personal, laborious output: I joined a choir. Before the beginning of the year, it had been a decade since I sang in a choir. I've had at least decade of formal training as a youth, and even ten years later, I auditioned and was accepted into a chorus focused on bringing together queer members of the community, from high schoolers to senior citizens. Though I was only with them for a semester (their practice location was unfortunately very far out), the feeling of singing in beautiful harmony a set of songs that touch the soul is something I've deeply missed and truly cherished. And the challenge of learning those complex pieces with the help of others was, in the end, so rewarding!

I also joined a book club! I was reading various literature with friends as a way to get back into reading for fun and inspiration, and engaging in analytical conversation with others. I don't get enough of that anymore as I'm not into fandom these days, so this was a cool and insightful way to go about it. I think I'll even continue with book clubs into 2025, branching out into more casual reads like comics and manga.

Health 2023

I had a difficult start to my 2023, with a fatigue from winter that hung over me even into spring—an unusual length of time from recent memory. And underneath that fatigue was a general anxiety from 2022 due to the public response to the resurgent pandemic. But, with time, exposure, preparation, and medication, I was able to overcome the anxiety and better cope with fatigue, returning to being out and about in public safely.

For the first few months, I had put a challenge on myself to visit one new event in person, and I was able to keep it up. I also took time to take walks with friends and loved ones, and visit my family more outside of holidays and birthdays. And though I wasn't able to do all of these things on a strict schedule throughout the year, it was enough to bring me back to a point mentally and socially before the pandemic hit. I'm glad I took the strides I did to come out of a shell I had unwittingly and only recently formed.

Health 2024

I was on a roll until mid autumn, where I was again hit with SAD. Or so I thought. In trying to get ahead of it, I ordered my usual prescription. But I had noticed that the antidepressant was not working effectively at all this time, regardless of dose, and symptoms of fatigue, resistance, and forgetfulness still persisted. In confiding in friends, family, and my care team, I was able to put some pieces together and went for a certain psychiatric test.

Well, at 29 years old, I received an ADHD diagnosis. It honestly rocked my world. But I'm glad I got it, as it explains the persistence of some of the symptoms I was experiencing when my seasonal depression was, well, out of season. And, it's a treatable condition. I was able to try ADHD medication for the first time in December, and while I'm still looking for the right type, the intended positive effect on me was immediate. I'm looking forward to seeing how my health improves in 2025 with this brand new information.

Final Words

A lot can happen in two years' time, as you can see. If you made it this far, thank you for reading. I'm so grateful for those of you who support me, who encourage me, who understand me, and who keep me company. I give what I get, and the arts is how I do.

[rachel-blue]

2023.

Saying this year was rough is an understatement. It's been a hard year for so many people in so many ways and I'm still having difficulty reconciling it all. It's been a year of loss and grief and stress and anxiety and it seems oddly appropriate that I'm wrapping up 2023 sick on the couch.

2023 Highlights:

House Remodeling. We bit off a lot this year, with a half-bath remodel (first major project) and a kitchen remodel (almost done!). This house feels more like us every day and it's rewarding, though time-consuming and expensive. We've replaced all of our kitchen appliances (including installing an over-the-range microwave) and learned how to drywall, how to lay tile, and how to extend our drip sprinkler system. We've also learned how to turn off our water main and that cutting tile is not a skill I'm blessed with.

Cup In Six. Zero regrets about spending an entire bonus (and then some) on the two worst tickets in the stadium so we could be in attendance for a Stanley Cup Finals game (that we won by a good few goals!). Getting to watch the actual Cup winning game from outside the stadium a few days later and be in the midst of an entire crowd singing "We Are The Champions" was absolutely something else. It's been incredible watching this team do what they've done and the way this city has embraced them from day (fucking) one.

Little Free Library. I always wanted to set up a Little Free Library after first encountering them on my first trip to Milwaukee back in 2013. Owning our home (and not having an HOA to deal with) finally gave me the opportunity to do so. It's allowed me to set up something with some Route 66 vibes and also to stock the library with copies of some of my favorite reads (primarily LGBTQ+ YA and children's books). We get a lot of use from the kids in the neighborhood and I'm excited I'm not the only one getting enjoyment from it.

Unraveled. It took me far too many years to evolve my knitting past scarves and the occasional blanket, but learning to knit sweaters and shawls and to appreciate the art ($30 skein price tags and all) of hand-dyed yarn has really enhanced my craft. I've complete multiple sweaters this year and learned to knit cables, and I have a whole collection of yarn and planned patterns in store for the coming months. Next year's goal is to complete my first pair of knit socks.

Continued Travels. Spain, Oakland (x2), Reno/Tahoe, Portland, Denver/Colorado Springs. While the race travels continue to be on pause, there have still been the occasional getaways, mostly brief. I'm being as intentional as I can with making plans to see friends and family. The times come less frequently as the years go, making the moments spent together that much more important.

Books read this year: 103

‘23 playlist (in no particular order): Moulin Rouge Broadway Cast - “Your Song” Alabama - “I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why)” The Front Bottoms - “2YL” The Mowgli's - “Time” Bowling For Soup - “Already Gone” Frank Sinatra - “My Way” Micah Schnabel- “Not The Boy You Used to Know” Otherwise - “No Rain" Queen - “We Are The Champions" Defiance, Ohio - “Anxious and Worrying” Frank Turner - "No Thank You For The Music"

[2022. 2021. 2020. 2019. 2018. 2017. 2016. 2015. 2014. 2013. 2012. 2011. 2010.]