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Hey everybody.

Going in to this new year, I'm planning on expanding my art platform in a few ways. I'm going to make a website to begin posting art that I'd like to sell as prints as well as for a portfolio I probably should have started a while back. Haven't decided yet if I'll have the two as separate websites or not. I want to display a range and have something to put on a card that isn't a Deviant Art account that the Average Joe/ Joanna can navigate a little easier without all the extra noise. If there is anyone with any useful advice on art websites, I'd love to hear it.

Also, i want to take my art to various social media outside of Deviant Art. I've already done so on my Instagram: @mastacholee, but with the limited viewing potential I also want to start posting on Facebook. I was considering Twitter, but honestly I've kind of grown to hate Twitter. lol Not that I care much for Facebook either, there's just a lot more potential for the image posts I think. I've begun making a business page for my art, but I'm not entirely sure of what I'm doing. It's been a while since I've frequented Facebook (since the Old Ones invaded years ago) and can use all the advice I get on how to setting up an art page.

Also, I just need to get out in the world. This year and going in to the future I want to meet artists and creatives in my city and everywhere really and find different ways to reach people. It'll be great for inspiration and networking, so I plan on hitting every convention and festival in Chicago. My city is too big for me to only show my work via the internet. Really, I just want to be bolder in my actions towards being a career professional artist and why not start taking bigger steps?

Lastly, anyone that has followed me for a while now is probably aware of the fact that I've never finished anything that I started on this site. And if you didn't know, you know now. The reason behind that is that I'm scared. I always have been. I've developed a way of thinking that disallows me to take chances on things that aren't perfect/may fail. That's pushed me in to a space where I fear putting something out in to the world and no one caring, responding, or even worse; laughing at me, thinking that I'm weird, etc. Thoughts like this have invaded every facet of my life and it has taken its toll. A few weeks ago a girl I know simply stated "you draw a lot of women," and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. There was no reason to think she had any ill-intent behind the statement. That's just how I am.

Recently, I was on twitter feeling angst-y and I read a quote from the great artist and creator LeSeanThomas that said, "ARTISTS 2017 TIP: Avoid over-complicating simple things out of nervousness, anxiety, or pride. Just write. Just draw. Just Start. #DoItScared ." It's a simple enough notion, but the words that hit me hardest were "Do It Scared". I'm always scared. Even now. Typing this. I can't wait until I'm not, or until I feel 'ready' because whether I previously wanted to admit it or not the two potentialities are attached at the hip. I'll only feel ready when I feel unafraid and I'll only feel unafraid when I feel ready. So essentially I have to abandon the entire concept and start from scratch. I have to come to terms with the fact that anything I do in the near future, afraid or not, will be the subject of praise, criticism, or a general apathy, but no matter what happens I will grow from it. I have to break out of the cycle I've developed (since childhood) of never finishing anything. It's my biggest hurdle and I'm actually excited to tackle it.

I'm proud of some of the things I've done recently. Many are small personal steps in my life. Though, I continue to make mistakes and have giant hurdles to overcome, I feel a small sense of peace in the fact that I'm still kicking and the passion in my heart for art still thrives. And of course, I'll never stop growing.