Originally posted to FB 5/19/2021
#Comics #ComicsJournaling #distraction #internetvortexofdoom #Patreon #SupportArtists #ArtJournaling #CatsAreTheBest #cats

If you're reading this, you're on the internet, so I know you know. Or - if you are somehow magically immune to the Internet Vortex of Doom, can you please tell the rest of us your secret? Pretty please? 😺
*shyly scuffs floor with foot* - Hey, also, if you like my writing or get a kick out of my art & comics & whatnot, please share! And consider supporting me on Patreon, if that's a thing you're able to do (and if not, no worries, I totally get about tight budgets, that's why I'm asking). You can also follow me there for free! A lot of my posts are public because it's more fun to share. ❤️✒️❤️

https://www.patreon.com/posts/comics-induced-51458116?fbclid=IwAR0NkbNZ-TfUZj_nSCc_1K9zKGtCDFaFuRVoo2vni4VBEqWkjtCTtznQd2k

#cats #ArtJournaling #ArtistProblems #cats #comfort #ComicsJournaling #Patreon #PTSD #CPTSD #depression #hope #MentalHealth #MentalIllness #MakingComics #memory #sketch #sketchbook #StraightToInk #CatsAreTheBest #TraditionalMedia #wip

" — I can't help thinking about my Mom when I draw this, because if there was one thing she could be counted on for, it was to draw cats — and to find a way to add them in anywhere. Even in her professional work in interior drafting & design, she'd tuck sleeping cats into half-opened drawers, or peering out from not-quite-closed closets. She'd also sometimes draw a sock on the floor, or a discarded bra, or clothing caught & protruding from improperly-closed drawers & closets. I would laugh in delight, spotting these details. She'd grin, and then attempt to put on a serious face, explaining that she thought it was important to see what a room would actually look like when it was lived-in. I don't *think* clients ever saw these versions? But with my mom, you never know..."
I wrote about this on Patreon, and also about navigating the pull between honest art, which is sometimes dark, and cultivating a habit of always looking for the little bits of humor and beauty everywhere, even in the face of overwhelming awful - because they are always there. And sometimes, often, even the smallest reminders of beauty and goodness are enough to get us through. If you're interested, you can read more about that here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/when-in-doubt-62089123
In any case, have some cats! Love to all of you, & virtual hugs to anyone who wants one. ❤😺❤
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[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A rough cat-filled page of comics journaling in black ink on white paper. Across the top, "Where to (Maybe) Put a Cat for Comic Relief:" is written large letters imitating a typed serif font. Below that is a roughly sketched version the final panel of the poetry comic the artist is working on, with cats added everywhere in an attempt to decide where best to add just one cat to the final comic. A long-haired person is huddled in a loose fetal position on a couch, one arm tucked in a fist under their head, the other clutching a book to their chest. The word "Fix" is just barely legible on the cover. Behind the person, a cat leans down from the back of the couch, one paw resting tentatively on the person's left shoulder. To the right of this cat, a book lies open & face down on the back of the couch. Another cat sleeps curled in the crook of the sad person's knees. On the floor in front of the couch, a cat stands on their hind legs, batting gently at the sad person's dangling hand. Another cat crouches hidden in the dark under the couch such that all we see of this cat is their large glowing eyes. On the floor to the left is a stack of two books. The top book reads "OTRAUMA" on the spine. On top of these two books, a third book labeled "101" is leaning open against the edge of the couch. Above this, a cat sleeps peacefully along the arm of the couch. On the floor to the left, another cat stands on their hind legs with tail aloft and ears back, front paws determinedly engaged in shredding the upholstery. A little further back, another cat peers at us from under the shredding cat and over the stack of books. Even further back and to the left, one more cat lies crouched on the floor, ears back and front paws extended as if about to pounce. On the floor in front of this cat is a scattering of books. In the bottom left corner, a black book labeled "Llama" lies open atop another book labeled "Reindeer" with a roughly sketched reindeer head on the cover. To the right of this book, in front of the cat that's shredding the arm of the couch, lies another book with the word "Chameleon" written diagonally across the cover. Below all of this, sloppy handwriting reads: " — I can't help thinking about my Mom when I draw this, because if there was one thing she could be counted on for, it was to draw cats — and to find a way to add them in anywhere. Even in her professional work in interior drafting & design, she'd tuck sleeping cats into half-opened drawers, or peering out from not-quite-closed closets. She'd also sometimes draw a sock on the floor, or a discarded bra, or clothing caught & protruding from improperly-closed drawers & closets. I would laugh in delight, spotting these details. She'd grin, and then attempt to put on a serious face, explaining that she thought it was important to see what a room would actually look like when it was lived-in. I don't *think* clients ever saw these versions? But with my mom, you never know..." In the drawing, along the edge of the book labeled "Llama", the page of comics journaling is signed "Akire Bubar 1·31·2022" by the artist.]