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StrayFlame

Here lies my dead profile.
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Tomorrow is my birthday. Shit, that came up fast >A> Where did this year go, oi!

Also I've been a terrible ghost here. Haaah...I have been kinda sorta working on art. Took a long break, though. Was not my intent. I'll get back into the swing of things soon and put stuff here. DA has not been at the forefront of my mind honestly, at least with updating. I just don't find DA super appealing anymore, but I don't want to call it quits just yet cuz my friends are still here. How about when I finally upload something here, I'll see if I can keep that going and if I just can't or have zero drive to, then I will call it quits. Sorry :I

I've also slacked a bit on updating my instagram with art (and posts in general). One of our cats recently had 2 surgeries (2 days in a row). Caring for him has been quite the endeavor. He's doing very well, though. He has an appointment next week to check on everything :3

Side note: I'm super addicted to the new Animal Crossing Pocket Camp mobile game (like....suuuuuper). Add me as a friend! :D My code is 9591 2452 330

Take care all. I'll (hopefully) see you again soon!
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Greetings! It has been....too long *hangs head in shame* Being active here--and just...in general--has been a huge struggle for me in the last couple years, it seems. And until recently, I wasn't sure why that was. I kept using the excuse of working too much, but in reality, I do have enough breaks where I can afford to spend a few hours making art. Motivation is really what I have been lacking, the reason behind wanting to make art in the first place. It wasn't until I watched a vid by Markiplier, where he said this:

"You have to always find new and old ways to keep yourself motivated, and never lose sight of the original vision that you have. Even if the goal is changed, the original reason why is always the same, unless you need to find a new reason why. But it’s a challenge. It’s a struggle. But you can do it."

I have been hung on these words for several days. I finally figured out why I was struggling to make anything. My reason was making it for YOU GUYS. I had SO MUCH FUN making art when it was for other people--and I don't mean gifts or trades specifically. My motivation began as wanting to share artwork with other folks who enjoyed it....I mean, sounds basic, right? Like, how can I forget something like that??

I think what happened was I had gotten caught up with these stupid expectations I set for myself to make everything 'perfect' for everyone, and if it wasn't 'perfect'--whatever the hell perfect meant--I didn't share it. I kept everything to myself, ideas, sketches, and unintentionally pulled myself out of the community. I hid behind the excuse of working too much, or having too much school stuff going on, and those eventually became just that. Excuses. And damn did I throw them out there constantly.

But now I realize why I made art, and have just NOW realized what I need. I need my original reason: to make art for everyone. The purpose of my art--of the art I WANT to make--is to be shared by a community. I want to make more than just stand alone images. I want stories attached to them. I want people to have fun with my works. I want to have fun, too.

My remedy for this problem is to become more active in the community again. That means making more art, actually scanning and uploading the art, and focusing heavily on my stories/comics. My awesome friend has been developing a website for me and my amazing wife has been helping me brainstorm posting schedules (for the website and my current social media platforms).

I'm sorry for being gone. I know what I need to do now, so I will get on it. My gallery will live again! My instagram is the most active currently, although instagram doesnt do full images too well. I def recommend following me there if you'd like to see any WIPS or previews of finished work (I also post a lot of cat pics lol).

Let's begin anew, shall we?
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(Not from me, though, aha;; ). My lovely friend :iconmamawicked: is offering commissions! She has beautiful work *u* I've commissioned her in the past and she does fantastic work with a great turnaround! Please do take a looksee at her stuff :D Her main commission page is below:

<da:thumb id="658518798"/>

Some of her work :heart::heart::heart:

<da:thumb id="627982163"/>  Babysitting WIP by MamaWicked  Into the skys by MamaWicked  The Green Dress by MamaWicked
<da:thumb id="437869520"/>  Sketchdump One by MamaWicked  B 9 Valentine by MamaWicked  Beach Love by MamaWicked
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Hello all! Hope everyone had a good holiday :3 Anyone excited for a new year? CUZ I SURE AM. My goal for the next year is to get a new job and quit my current two, draw more, MAYBE get my comic ON PAPER, and be a more positive person again. The last 3rd of this year has really sucked, to put it lightly, and the start of 2017 isn't gonna be easy. My step-dad has been in the hospital (again) since the 20th fighting cancer. Some days, he seems to show improvements, other days he's asleep most of the day or doesn't want any visitors--not even my mom. We're hoping for the best...And then there's work...which I've bitched about for the last 3 months so I won't go into it here too much. I'll sum up by saying that what I'm being paid at both jobs is not worth the stress. I will suck it up for a lil bit longer, but I don't plan to keep both jobs through next December (hell, my goal is to have a new job and leave these 2 by summer). Rent is going up and our insurance, though cheap, is inconvenient and suuuuuper basic. I gotta have something that isn't retail, will give me benefits, and has more competent team members and/or gives me duties I can accomplish myself so if something fucks up, I know who's responsible and how to fix it >n<

*ahem*

So that's my goal for 2017. Oh and to see family more often. The craziness of the holidays slowed that down, so we're picking up and getting back on track!

I hope 2017 will be a good/better year for us all *nod nod*

HUGS FOR EVERYONE ;;u;;

~ Stray
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Turning 28 on the 28th! Funny enough, I was born on a Monday, in a leap year, and my mom was 28 when she had me XD

Mmmm yep. Been spending the day in 1/2 pj's, 1/2 good shirt, doing dishes and laundry pfffft. I don't plan to drive anywhere til later tonight so it's a good day haha.

Oh hey! If anyone wants to be Pokemon Sun/Moon buddies, comment with your friend code! Mine is 2466-2635-0391

Hope y'all have a great day! :heart:
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Featured

28th is my bday....and I'm still a GHOST?! by StrayFlame, journal

Why I've been gone....and how I plan to fix that. by StrayFlame, journal

Lovely Commissions! by StrayFlame, journal

A new year means some changes... by StrayFlame, journal

I am older today o3o by StrayFlame, journal