Summer Updates

Hey folks, I realize summer (at least for those of us in the Northern hemisphere) is quickly coming to a close but I have been meaning to get this written and out for awhile. Work continues to take most of my time of course, but I am proud that my illustrations have only gotten better, I think that my colors, shading and perspective have all improved dramatically over the years of doing this patreon gig and that makes me feel really good. I hope that you all can see some improvement on my work over time as well. It's thanks to all of your continued support that it's even possible. :)

Without super getting into it, I've been dealing with a lot in my personal life for many months now and unfortunately it tends to affect my ability to branch out in my work a significant amount. Just like so many other people I have my challenges with depression and anxiety. I really hoped to have my Uther Underson project done and out months ago but my desire to, actually, my ability to write anything creative has been nonexistent for awhile now due to a lot of stressors in my life. It is something I still want to get done, but until certain personal matters are resolved for me I just can't force it. I've tried to make myself write under similar conditions in the past and the writing suffers as a result. Drawing on the other hand, luckily, has always been a therapeutic outlet for me so I can do that no matter how shitty I might be feeling or what I'm having to handle. My husband helps me out a great deal, but unfortunately stuff with his business and his family only adds to the collective stress in the house lately. (Big sigh)

In regards to everything, I am feeling a bit better these past couple months than the several before that and I didn't want to give an update until I was starting to feel more like myself again. I genuinely don't like making my problems anyone else's, but I continue to believe it's important to touch base with you all about how I'm doing, what I want to be doing and the health/state of this patreon. Happily for everyone involved, my patreon gives me a great sense of purpose and pride and is not going anywhere anytime soon. In addition, Pocket Rockets will be wrapping up before much longer and I'm excited to put that on Gumroad (or elsewhere, still looking into options), and maybe, depending on costs even a physical copy because folks have been telling me they would love to have that option. In addition I want to try to get a redbubble store online for stickers or shirts or something, and am toying with public streams again once or twice a month as a way of reaching new potential patrons. I am newly on bluesky social as well, just look for DudeBulge if you are on and using that platform.

To wrap up, things have been challenging for me personally for awhile now, but ultimately it's nothing I can't handle with the help of my husband, friends and my supportive community here on patreon and discord. I likely don't say it as much as I should, but I really can't thank you all enough for keeping me in business, for enjoying my work and interacting with me about it. If you have a moment, please leave me comments on pieces that I post - I always read them and appreciate anything kind or considered that you have to say! I promise more cool, sexy art long into the future, new hunks that you've never seen or heard of and hopefully more writing and other projects again soon. Thank you for reading, your understanding, and as always, a huge thank you for continuing to support me along this personally very rewarding journey. <3

-D.B.