There are times...

There are times I really get excited about my artwork. There are times I fall in love with my stuff, too. It is, in some ways, kind of funny when I do. Lately, though, I am finding that because I am creating so much it is easier for me to let go of things than I would have thought it might be. There are many pieces of work I would quite willingly part with, if someone would like to have it. That is probably a good thing, as I need donations to survive right now, and it hasn't been easy.

The image (which is really the same image several times in different colors) I have posted was just completed today. Many of my newer works don't often work with different color permutations. If it is red, then it must be RED. But this newest image seems quite happy to be different colors. And I am in love, and can share, as I can make the image into any number of things: a light switch plate, a tile to hang, coasters, a print, a canvas, a candle holder, and probably other things I can't think of at the moment. I really should get a list together somewhere of the types of things I have created/can create just for moments like this.

I am excited. But I am also building up quite an array of things that I don't know what to do with, if they don't find other homes. I have wanted to do "home parties" to show my work, and to speak to it, and life, but haven't had what I need energy-wise to pursue it. Now that I am back on chemo I should probably be a bit careful what I do, as some doctors say you shouldn't be out and about much when you are a-chemo-ing.

That leaves me with the Internet, and that isn't the most effective. On top of that, many of my works look so much better in person than pictures can relay. I would love to show off a bit. 

Hopefully things will find a way to work out. It just would help my peace of mind if I had a piece of what that would be now.

I have been thinking about what I plan to do writing-wise the next few months, and have started to write off-line again, and am thinking that I might just keep going there. I may pop my head out every now and again, just like I am doing at this moment. But I am not really sure. My first book isn't exactly going gangbusters, although it isn't exactly a "book," yet, either, as I couldn't afford to get it to that point. 

Although, for those who have taken the plunge and read it, they have told me that they really enjoyed it. Some may wonder how one could "enjoy" a book about cancer. Well. For starters, it isn't really a book about cancer. It is about LIFE and it is about LIVING and it is about me, and my experiences and perspectives. And, yes, cancer is included. How could it not be?

What the book needs, just like what my art needs, is to be marketed. The problem lies in the fact that I am not a "normal" person right now. Never really have been normal, really, but that's a tale for a different day. :P I am someone who is dealing with cancer, and someone who could really use compassion.

I was explaining to someone last night that if we took my stuff as "products" there would be a sales pitch, and a person would buy them because they felt they wanted or needed them. In many ways, that is the way of the world. A person doesn't do something that doesn't in some way suit them. 

What I need, though, is for the "product" to be secondary. I need the compassion first. "I want to help this person, and doesn't this thing look like an interesting thing to trade my help for?" Many people, despite my offers to "trade" with them, don't even let me. I would be more than happy to, but am grateful when they just do what they do. It does make things a heck of a lot easier and less stressful on me. At the same time, I would be happy to do it, really, if a person extended themselves on my behalf. I like being able to "trade."

The person I was speaking with said he never gave to someone he did not know. I told him that people I DO know have not given me anything during this time. I said I am screwed without the compassion part. A number of strangers have stepped up and helped, and I can't thank them enough. I also told him that I have given more with a lot less since dealing with cancer. It has certainly been a perspective eye-opener.

Some think my situation should be taken care of by the government, or those I know. Sadly, that isn't the case in either case. Also as sad is that you don't realize how things will be in a case like mine until you are in the midst of it. I remember reading an article early on about dealing with cancer. The writer pretty much said some strangers may surprise you, and some that you know may, too. The strangers in a "good" way, those you know in a not so "good way."

I hadn't really intended to write all of this, but it came out, so there you go.

If the idea that I have written a book sparks an interest at all, you can see more at SometimesitSuckstobeHuman.com. You can read the intro for free, and the PDF is only a $5 "trade." I bet you, like others, would be quite surprised about its content. While the book may be about me and my perspectives, it really is about the human experience - which is quite relatable.

I will also ask that if you have yet to see Patreon.com/Jolope, that you please check it out. I share a lot of myself and my work, and much of it is free. However it would be really great if I could get some financial support behind it. If you like my work, you can become a patron for as little as $1 per month, and you can cancel at any time. I am considering perhaps sharing what could be my next book behind the scenes there, and/or some other stuff...haven't been able to flesh it all out just yet. The more support I can get, though, the more I can probably do because I won't be worrying about how I am going to survive as much.

Thanks for coming by. Stay safe and warm.

Lots of love,

Elizabeth