Happy New Year🚀

Happy New year lovelies!

It really doesn't feel like January 2023 was that long ago, and somehow we are almost to January 2024! 📅 Thank you so much for all of your support in 2023. 🙌 I mentioned it on my stream last night, but for those that weren't there, each and every person who believes in my work and supports it makes a huge difference in my life and ability to keep pursuing art and making tutorials and the like. 🎨 So thank you to each and every one of you! 🌟

While this year has been difficult because of some losses that happened at the beginning and at the end of the year, I feel like it has been a truly transformative year in terms of finding directions I want to take my work and what resonates with my soul. 💫 And it seems that the more I push towards what I am passionate about, even if it isn't trendy, the more it resonates (hopefully) with others as well. 🌟

Quick Art recap for this year:

• about 65 New Illustrations w/rewards(I think I counted them all but I could have missed one or 2)
• 12 New Video Tutorials
• 15ish bonus podcasts/voiceover commentary videos
• Finished my first How to Draw Your RPG Character book! (Release date is May 7, 2024!)
• And I'm sure lots of other stuff but I don't want to go through and count everything!  hah!

So what is in the works for 2024?

Well, I love what I do here on Patreon, so I want to continue making more fantasy and mythology artwork here and tutorials for you guys! 🌌

I already mentioned that my book finally has an expected release date, which is exciting, but I am actually still in the trenches already working on book 2, and I have some plans for a few Author client works in 2024. 📖 Once that is off my plate, I hope to jump into a bigger personal project, such as finally doing more coloring pages for a mythology coloring book or starting work on a tarot deck! 🔮 (I need some theme ideas for a tarot deck though! I would love for it to have a cohesive theme! Ahh)

I don't want to be too rigid with any big plans or goals when it comes to my personal illustrations though. 🎨 If there's anything I've learned about how I work and my personal illustrations, it is that following my intuition in the moment sometimes leads to the best results in my art. 🖌️

For live-streaming, my 2023 schedule was all over the place because of how much grief I was going through this year, but I do feel ready and want to get back to a regular schedule again! 📅 So, expect to see me on Saturdays at 7pm CET over on twitch.tv/chrissabug if you want to come to chat, squat and draw! 🎮

Anyhoo, I feel like I've been talking a lot about myself in this post, but I would really like to talk about you!

I wanted to say again how grateful I've been for your support but also for a lot of your kindness over this year. 🌟 Maybe you don't realize, but I definitely recognize the kind comments, and messages from you guys and notice who those comments and messages come from. 💕 When I am packing up envelopes to send off every month, I see your lovely names month after month and am reminded how lucky and honored I am to be able to pack up and send off your rewards. 💌 So thank you! 🙏

And I want to say that I'm proud of you and all that you've been able to do this year. 👏 For some of you that post your work in the discord or online, I love seeing your work and your progress over the months and years and feel really lucky that I've been a small part of your journey just like you have been a part of mine. 🌟

I know that this year has been hard for many people.  I know that some of you have mentioned that you've had losses this year too, or have been burnt out, or are going through a rough patch. But I'm so proud of you for coming this far and making it through this year. 🌟 Whether you made a bunch of art or not any at all, it's an accomplishment to make it through and you have been doing your best! 💪

I'm getting all sappy now, but moving into 2024, let's all keep doing our best.  🚀

It's not quite the original quote, but a little motto that I really like is:
"Reach for the stars, and even if you don't quite make it, you'll still land on the moon."

🌠 So don't be afraid to dream big and shoot for the stars this upcoming year my friends! ✨ AND don't forget to take action on those dreams!  Let's keep drawing! 🎨

Love,

Chrissa