Nuki News #78 - Another Year Conquered!

In some ways it’s hard to believe 2021 is closing out; compared to last year, 2021 has been pretty quiet around my neck of the woods. Granted I’m glad for that; I needed some quiet to build myself up in my first year of full time arting! When I look back at all the art I’ve made, (almost 100 more pieces than last year’s post count) it’s hard to believe I did all that I have! It feels like so long ago I designed Flint & Sizz, for example, haha.

If last year was a ‘year survived’, this one has moreover been a ‘year accustomed’- adapting to my new life as a full time artist, and I have each one of you 34 patrons to thank. For believing in me and supporting me, it has helped me so very much each month. Let me go over what I’ve done this year in broad strokes!

Let’s start with my goals; the main one being, at least break even with my expenses so I can support myself doing art full time. The rest were more supportive metrics for myself; post 231 pieces of art throughout the year, stream at least 100 times, get to 50 patrons, and receive heartfelt comments from as many people as possible from my work.

I am extraordinarily grateful to say I accomplished a lot more successfully than I expected. Not only have I been able to break even on expenses, but I’m making more from my art than I did working full time at my job when I started in 2016. It’s a bit hard to say if I’ve been working more hours doing art full time vs the hours a week of my dayjob, but overall I’d say I’m working less, since I’m not also trying to juggle a side hustle. With that extra time I’ve gotten into working out over 21 days a month, meditate regularly, and learn to cook!

With my other metrics, I’ve just finished my 100th stream earlier this week; the 101st stream will be this Friday! That’s just about 2 streams per week. I had a goal of improving my streams in some way, too, which came about in getting a VTuber model! You can read about it here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/54503312

As I get into 2022, I’ll be sprucing up my stream, look into PNG-Tubing so I can have a hand-tracker when I draw, and update my layout. I miiight also try streaming on Twitch for the first time, depending. I’ve learned to reeeeally love streaming now, more than ever. No doubt it’s thanks to the folks who show up, too.

Oh, as for the art I’ve posted? I counted about 235 pieces uploaded to FA, 4 more than my goal; and I’ll be uploading some art tomorrow as well to bring it up to 236. I’ll post it below for yall, haha. This number doesn’t include all the drawings/art I’ve actually completed this year; that number easily could total 300 or more, goodness! Though the majority of such are not colored pieces.

I counted about 45 heartfelt comments, from different folks throughout the year; I avoided doubling up on folks, and I didn’t want comments that were too directly on a single piece. Something more encompassing of what I’ve done for someone, less than what a single picture may do, though some are there!

I’ve said before, I’ve ended up losing patrons this year rather than gaining them. Main reason for that is, I just haven’t advertised it at all; the last time I mentioned my patreon to folks on Twitter or FA was September, aha. Secondarily, with the pandemic many folks have run into hard times and had to reduce or remove pledges, which is very understandable and fine! You can follow my patreon still if my posts still give you somethin’; they’d just be 3 weeks delayed. That said, if what I’m doing on Patreon doesn’t motivate me to want to offer it to folks regularly, it means I need to change things up, probably. I’ll be considering how I want to change my patreon going into 2022, and let you all know about any tier changes a month beforehand.

I won’t lie, now the new year is upon me, I’m re-experiencing nervous emotions and apprehensions I had last year around this time. Will things work out? Will I still be worth supporting for you folks? I dunno. Somehow it feels like I don’t know again; but I do know this means it’s probably a good feeling, because I won’t be resting on any laurels. I will need to continue to think up new creative ways to provide value to my work and what I offer you.

All said n done though, thank you for sticking with me here! I want to do great smushy things next year, and hope you all will join me for the ride. If you have ideas for me, or want to let me know what you aim to do next year let me know! My next Nuki News will go over my 2022 goals, once I get them decided upon.