Recap #1

My new journey in accounting, comics and markets, seeing Shakira and AI slop attack

I don't know exactly where to start with this. I want to make newsletters, like recaps of what's been going on in my life and art. Firstly, because I want to have a newsletter for my followers. But let's be honest, I don't have that many followers who actually "follow" my work. Then I thought that I should do it anyway, just to keep a record of my life and accomplishments, to celebrate the little wins, instead of only focusing on what I could have done.

This being established, here is my first recap!

Studying

In the past months, I've taken an Accounting course. I just finished the internship required to complete the course, and in a week or two I might finally have my certificate. Why accounting? I'm not really sure myself. I guess because I don't have to deal with a lot of people, like in customer service. It's really hard to find a job that meets my criteria (being shy 👉👈 and not wanting to talk with humans) and my area, arts. I've tried to teach children before, but they are too wild for me! So accounting seemed calmer in that aspect. Soon I'll be starting another internship (this time it's paid), and once that is done, hopefully I'll get a contract.

Comics

So, Viktor, the vampire is still on hiatus and, honestly, I don't know when it will return. Ever since I started the internship back in July, I completely stopped working on episodes. I barely touch my tablet to draw. To fight that, I've been doing, from time to time, pages of my other comic, I went to Korea because I hate you. This comic is still under construction. Like, I have the general idea, but I don't have a script written. I've been doing random pages that don't follow the chronological order of the story. I'm using this comic to de-stress. It's a way for me to keep creating without worrying about schedules, consistent art style, and a perfect storyline. Also, I'm using this comic to make use of the little korean I learned so far ahah

On another note, my favorite webcomic platform announced the end of its services. RIP Tapas. No, but for real, this news got me so sad because I really love Tapas, as a creator and a reader. The community there is so amazing. And it's all going to be lost. A follower suggested ComicFury. So, right now I'm slowly moving my comics there. For now, I only have Viktor there, and I'm still uploading the episodes. For now, it looks really cool! It lets you have a website just for the comic and have full control on the aspect of it (I love messing with the HTML).

Art Markets

I've been in two markets this year. And although it's not enough to pay the bills (not even close), it's still fun every time. I really love to see the people appreciate my work, get to know other fellow creatives, and just change my routine. I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit stressful, with all the preparation and making the products. But in the end, it's all worth it!

This year has not been very productive in terms of art production, but I'm very proud of the few pieces I've crafted.

I sell art with my friends, so not everything that is in this photo is mine. Check more at Laranja de Papel!!

Concert

Not so important to mention, but I went to Shakira's concert in Madrid in September. It may seem something kinda ordinary, but it's been my dream since I was a kid. I really love her songs. I loved listening to the classics live and singing along! I think I let go of a tear at Inevitable or Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos, one of them for sure. It was actually a bit crazy for me, because I went alone. But it all went well! Looking forward to more concerts in the future! 💖

Stupid AI

On a worse note, this summer I was a victim of AI like so many artists already have been. But what shocked me more was that it was someone that I trusted. Since 2018, I have made one or two solidarity free illustrations every year for this association in my country (they help children and their families). These illustrations (mine and from other artists) are then compiled in a book with stories written by children. The sales of the book revert to the association's cause.

This year, what's my surprise when I see a post on their social media with my drawing modified with AI. I don't get it. They got the drawing for free. In my opinion, the drawing was good, but even if they wanted to change something, they could have talked with me first. But no. They used AI, modified my drawing into this ugly thing, and didn't even mention me as the original artist. This happened while I was actually working on another illustration for them. I pondered a lot on whether I should still give them the new illustration. I ended up doing it, because otherwise the story I was illustrating would stay without an illustration, and that would be unfair to the kids who wrote it. But I told them my view of the matter and said I'll never collaborate with them in the future. They ruined my trust in them.

~~*★,°*:.★,:*.°*★*~~

Well, I guess this is it for my first newsletter/recap thing. If someone happens to read this, I hope you enjoy knowing random stuff from this random being.