FAQ
Did you go to art school?
No. (Longer answer when I can make time.)
Will you critique or review my portfolio?
No. (Longer answer when I can make time.)
Why aren’t you a full-time artist/creator/etc?
Several reasons; the first being that in 2019, I figured out that I have fairly severe ADHD. Every period in my life in which I have been self-employed, I ended up making the same amount or even less creative work than I did while going to school or working full-time. I was built to move.
Day job or no, there is simply a limit to how long I can sit at my desk.
While I do take medication that improves my executive function, focus, and the ability to initiate tasks, and I employ organization strategies to manage my long-term goals, sitting still at a desk for hours on end is still a huge ask. I need 10,000+ steps on my pedometer a day to function.
My day job is mostly physical labour to meet that need.
The second reason is that even though public-facing jobs quickly lead me to burnout, the social interaction from a regular group of familiar coworkers is good for my mental health and well-being. I continue to develop my so-called “soft skills,” leadership abilities, and professional toolkit.
The third is that having the stability of a regular paycheque, medical coverage, and other benefits allows me to take more risks with my creative work and help financially support causes that I believe in. I can also afford to say “no” to situations that would compromise my principles.
Will you travel to a convention or event near me?
No; I am, for all intents and purposes, retired from exhibiting myself at conventions. Besides it being difficult to sit behind a table for seven or eight hours continuously, I focus on creating webcomics because I do not want the expense or labour of dealing with books, merchandise, etc.
I am at a point in life where making money is not my highest priority.
Having a day job also means I have a limited amount of PTO, most of which is taken up by my work for the Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA). You can usually find me on the show floor at MNCBA events checking in with the creators, vendors, and other volunteers.
Saint Paul, MN, is a beautiful city and well worth travelling to visit.
Lastly, I am no longer able to get a passport or federal identification with the correct gender identity. In the current environment, I do not feel it is safe or wise for me to travel outside the state of Minnesota.
Do you accept commissions and/or work-for-hire projects?
No. (Longer answer when I can make time.)
Can I pay you to advertise something, endorse something, send you a product to review, and/or buy advertising on your website(s)?
No, but you can support my work as a private individual.
This is by no means a judgement of my colleagues, or creators more generally but for me, personally, my highest priority is the messages and stories I have to share. I am weary of absolutely everything in modern life being covered in advertising and oriented toward extracting profit to the detriment of all else. I do not host advertisements on my websites.
I promote only my own work, and the work of others I find valuable.
Who are the biggest influences on your creative work?
It’s complicated. (Longer answer when I can make time.)
Have you seen TELEVISION SHOW or MOVIE TITLE?
Probably not. I do not watch much television or movies. I prefer silence, which really isn’t, because I hear everything; except for listening to audio books when I am working on painting, illustrations, or comics.
What do you do for fun?
My version of “fun” is getting things done, for the most part.
