Patreon Update + Burn out + comic hiatus

Hey guys! Sorry this is another long post but I feel like I wanna offer an explaination as to why this place has felt like a ghost town for the last few years and I've touched on these issues here and there but a proper post felt needed. There's a TLDR at the bottom if you need it!

Long story: I've been working on a graphic novel for a publishing house for about 5 years and it's completely burned me out... I'm on the last legs of the project, colouring +230 pages and I've been doing this comic all by myself with no help since 2018. I wrote the script, drew the thumbnails (twice) pencils, inks, letters and now the colours which has put me in a really bad situation financially, mentally and physically. Basically, I work on my comic for 6+ hours a day to hit my deadlines, then I'm so tired and burned out from it I have no desire or energy to draw for myself, patreon, commissions, aka why I've only been able to post Bubbline comic updates here as opposed to before when I had more time to draw and doodle and this patreon was a lot more lively. Physically my hand and fingers can only take so much drawing a day before I need to put on a thumb brace or ice my wrist since I'm not trying to give myself carpel tunnel.

There have been times when my book is in the hands of my editor which gives me the freedom to not work on it so I've had little pockets of time where I can have fun drawing LOL Like my Pyrex Girls or my short form comics but once I have the book back, my brain shuts down and I basically don't leave my house for months till I send it back to my editor. It's gotten progressively worse over the years and I've started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist to help me. I'm never comfortable sharing my personal mental health issues so I'll be vague, but I did experience a mental break down and have been put on medication for 3 diagnosis to basically keep me from having another psychotic episode ((((o: Obviously my health is important to me but because I rely on my patreons and commissioners as my largest means of income since my part time job is minimum wage and I only work a few days a week, I can't just go on a full blown hiatus otherwise I won't be able to pay for rent, food, my pets etc;

Now that I'm ALMOST DONE (just 32 more pages to colour 🥹) I feel like I should just give it 100% of my attention so that I can hopefully come back with more enthusiasm. My current deadline is May 15th but I'm slated to finish a few days before if I can keep up my motivation but because of my declining financial situation due to all of this, I've been taking more shifts at my part time job to help with my bills. I'm also making a big move to live with my best friend again because I think if I stay here any longer I might make things even worse on myself.

I've always been a big believer in my best art is made when I actually enjoy it. I'm currently just dragging my feet finishing this comic as well as the other Bubbline stuff I was working on since I have no motivation to work on it aside from just getting it done so my patreon can continue to financially support me. I love Bubbline and always will, but I think anyone can understand drawing another IP, or even drawing the same OC over and over again can become draining and kinda boring... I don't like making artwork that feels lacking, forced or rushed. I've had no time really to work on my anatomy, digital painting, sketching etc; which I feel like has been making it harder for me to just draw because my skills feel rusty.

I made a post earlier this month about new reward ideas so i'm going to be thinking of some new things I can do in the mean time while I give myself a break from all the Bubbline stuff and hopefully can come back with a bit more excitement for my favourite girls cuz THEY DESERVE BETTER!!!

I have the next 2 pages (I think #16 and #17) almost finished for the comic. I just need to shade everything so that should be up either tonight or tomorrow night. I'm hoping that once this book is done by the middle of May, I'll start to really feel like my old creative self and be able to fill this place up with more woohooo art again so I MIGHT be able to get back into the swing of working on the Bubbline comic. I never anticipated it taking me THIS long to finish but I made it longer which is why my updates have been twice a month instead of 4 times a month like I wanted.

I'm in talks with my friend about her doing the colouring for a future comic I want to work on featuring one of my OCs ;o))) but that won't be happening right away, probably in a month or two, but her help would make the comic come out a LOT faster... Which would help me out a ton.

Hopefully all this makes sense? I've been avoiding making a like POUR MY HEART OUT type post and I'm not asking for anything from you guys just your patience and understanding and those who have offered it to me since the beginning I truly appreciate you. I never want people to think I'm purposefully not updating or posting so I can run off with your money or scam people, I just haven't been able to keep this place as lively as I have in the past and keep thinking if I wait it out it'll get better but it really hasn't.

Here's hoping I can get my mojo back soon but for the time being please anticipate no update on the Bubbline NSFW comic for at least 2-3 months while I rework the thumbnails/script and try to get back into the Bubbline Groove. I promise I WILL Finish this comic but I think I need a real break and who knows maybe come may 16th my brain will start working like normal again and I'll get right back to it!

TLDR; I'm burned out, tired of working on Bubbline content (art and comics) and need a serious break but won't be taking it because I need $$$ and don't wanna leave y'all hanging. After May 15th 2024, I should be able to find more time to post here and social media.

As always thank you for being here and giving me all the support thusfar! I totally understand if you need to step away from my patreon because of my lack of posting but I hope I can win you back with new comics and art that I've been wanting to make deep down I just haven't had the mental and physical energy to do so...

SOON 👀💦