So, I doubt I will get any more commissions before 2022 at this point- and I got tired of looking at my birthday post on repeat.
Here's my annual commission visual recap:
- February. Twitter user.
- April. Twitter user.
- April. Twitter user.
- April. Twitter user.
- June. This one wasn't a commission more so than it was sold to someone.
- June. Twitter user. Repeat customer.
Others not found here:
- Repeat customer ordered a pet portrait of their cat in June.
- A local game store reached out to me and asked me to design an MTG shirt back in the Spring (like March-April). I forgot to post it and by now I believe the shirts are sold out anyway.
- An Instagram/Reddit user commissioned me for a pet portrait of their now dearly departed dog in November.
TOTAL: 9 (8 if you don't count selling my creature)
Busiest Month: April
Repeat customers: 1 (technically 2)
Summary (Here's the empowerment part)
2021 was indeed a high-flying shit show but one good thing it did show was a striking increase in the normal amount of commissions I usually get. Historically/Realistically speaking- I don't get that many commissions and never have gotten that many in the first place. (To put that in perspective, I used to get 1 if I was lucky enough. And that was either every year or other year. There was no pattern.) People had this weird idea that I was always swamped with commissions and that stung because for A) They never thought to ask or was just saying that to try and be nice. Also for B) thinking something that isn't true that you wish was true. That hurts when you realize you could've had a better support system if people actually had the genuine interest to ask rather than assume. I ended up hiking my pants up about people treating me better and getting what I want and need out of life.
After finally admitting I was tired of fighting myself and getting exhausted of putting in more work than the return I was getting, I started pushing myself a bit more and it worked. I do art because I enjoy it, but it helps to get paid too. I believe in a hobby and the love of the craft, but I also believe in being rewarded for your talents too so you don't get taken advantage of or burnt out. There's a balance and everyone's different with what balance works for them. This is one lesson 2021 has endowed in me is to be comfortable asking for payment. I think I earned the right after years of even thinking asking for pay made me believe I would be a greedy S.O.B for doing so. I'm actively Pulling the bullet out of my foot for that one and making up for lost time. I deserve better. It took several shameless plugs and apparently never-ending self promotion- but I got at least 1000% more than I did if I stayed quiet. Repeat customers rock lol
I got 9 commissions in 2021. To me, as a small artist who used to receive no commissions at all and started feeling pretty defeated and worthless- that's amazing to me. That's growth people. That's progress. We all need it in order to live and function. I was talented before, but now I can tell my talents have become honed and better- especially through this excessive practice of art I've done this year. It's incredible. I expect nothing less from myself than to go upward.
I'd like to beat my record in 2022. It will be super embarrassing & depressing to me if I don't get ANY, especially in 2022.
(I do have at least two or three possible prospects for commissions. However, all three were SUPPOSED to be for this year. If they happen next year, that will be spectacular!)
2022 is going to be a super important year for me personally. More on that later. I hope you celebrate with me. I have big plans I'd like to see take off and I could use your help!
Consider making my 2022 even more special by commissioning me, art trading with me and continuing to support my work! Or all three!
I also want to quickly mention in addition to the commission increase, I did see a rise in followers and something of a surge of an audience. I have met a few nice people already, and I really want to connect with more people & artists, but they have to put in the effort too. I refuse to forge anymore one-way relationships after an abundance of them almost killed me and my healing rate is dreadfully slow on this kind of thing. This is also important to someone like me who has had 25+ years of experience and is finally now starting to even get a fraction of something I probably should have had a long time ago- people showing interest in my work, meeting like-minded individuals that don't put me down, people that want to see me succeed, growing my talents, putting myself out there and essentially making my own cards because the hand I was dealt was less than favorable.
Thank you to anyone and everyone on board with me and wanting to stay included in the journey. I mean that. More to come!
Also special shout out to the KaiJune prompt I did that I credit to raking me in most of the traction that I garnered this year. Looks like I will be doing more prompts later on!
