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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624326708223725092020-03-22T00:31:30.730-07:00 Setzer Studio ArtsThe Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-30321398749058504742019-12-19T17:13:00.000-08:002019-12-19T17:13:03.485-08:00What you want is over at Patreon...Head over to Patreon to find the latest art, news, and activism from Setzer Studio Arts. You don't even have to become a patron, a lot of my posts are available to the public! And my banner is displayed properly!

Probably.The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-14191575260517032862019-08-19T12:16:00.000-07:002019-08-19T12:16:24.429-07:00July 2019: News and links

https://www.patreon.com/posts/protect-mauna-28650310 to download
so you can print, color, and show your support for sacred land

In this episode:

coloring pages for fun & the dismantling of capitalism

the number of patrons has already doubled this month!

FibroShark Hungry update

a cute picture of Bo

my garden is full of plants I didn't plant but still love

art career inside disability inside full red rage

I had a lot of Must Rest days in July, so I didn't get as much done as I wanted to. The thing I'm trying to do is get things going to the point where it can take care of itself -- that is, that there's enough content scheduled that I don't fall behind even when I do need to take more time for sleep, laying around in the sun, and not using my computer. For the moment, I'm sticking to making one bad fish pun at a time and if you don't like it, it's not like you're a dolphin in my tuna net.

❤❤R

Colring pages for fun and the dismantling of capitalism

I know some folx are gonna be mad that I'm basically a communist now, but those people were already mad at me for being.. queer, brown, and indi-jew-nous (Jewish and Native American). So honestly I'm not that worried about it. Anyway, the goal is to make sure there are 2 new free coloring pages on the Patreon every month. If you subscribe one month, you get all the previous coloring pages too! This can't possibly be a profitable exercise! But it can add up, and I'm hopeful that one day all these pages will become a coloring book that I can sell and maybe make a few dollars from.

Coloring pages aren't the only content, of course, you'll also find The Adventures of FibroShark, and there are (supposed to be) 2 free episodes of that every month too! Eventually, the free (and interstitial patron-only) comics will be bound into a book.

July Content Roundup
July was a light month for content cuz I'm still trying to get back to actually being able to do things on any sort of a schedule. Here's the links to

The Adventures of FibroShark
FIBRORIGIN free!
FINDEPENDENCE DAY patrons only! (technically went up in August, but so is this blog)

Coloring Pages
PROTECT MAUNA KEA free! support Native Hawaiians & the sacredness of the Earth
NARWHALS WITH ATTITUDE free!

FibroShark hungry?

I don't want to get too far ahead of myself and over-promise (like I always do) then under-deliver (like I've always done), so let's just say for now that my plan is to eventually bind the Patreon comics (and some additional material for fun), into volumes of what I guess will be 100% more graphic novel and 75% less manifesto (womanifesto? enbyfesto? panifesto?) than the original idea backed by ~25 folx on the now-defunct Hatchfund. This is forward motion for the whole project, and I'm happy to have something to show for all the work I've done on it without really saying much over the last few years.

Ok, but I thought you were disabled

For a long time I didn't want to be a professional artist. There weren't enough resources available for me to just make art and do nothing else, so I tried to be a Good Capitalist and murder myself by inches in order to achieve having a roof over my head.

I worked full-time while I was in college, and as soon as I was able to get an actual job, worked full-time when I was out of college. There was a time in there that most of you remember where I was selling makeup and skincare, and I tried to parley that into a career as a makeup artist but I guess fat girls aren't allowed to do that. Eventually, I got burned out working gigs and the illness I've probably always had, became so severe that I couldn't work a regular job with regular hours at a regular place with regular paychecks. I tried. For a long time. Eventually, however, my whole wick burned out, my health spiraled out of control, and labor-for-wages was no longer possible. It was over. The dream of achievement thru the Hoarding of Capital died for me, and I nearly went with it.

However, I'm lucky enough to have a partner who is willing to support me while my income is in limbo. I've been somewhat forced to try out professional artist as a career, since I have nothing left to offer (or lose). And that's where I'm at. I don't expect to become rich off of my art, or even be able to cover such necessities as student loan debt (we don't need to talk about that here), but it would be nice to have my work out there and supported by people I've never met. So, I dream of a world where art matters more than money and democracy is actually and actual thing that happens.

My disabilities affect every area of my life, because they affect every system of my body. As a result, disability is a major theme in my art. I also believe that my individual person is affected by the mistreatment of the planet at the behest of massive multi-national corporate entities (who are people, legally speaking, but the planet is just a rock we extract resources from and not a person for some reason); this has resulted in the more serious art I make having turned the corner into activism on behalf of the Planet.

Look: every THING is connected to every other THING. Not just by the internet, but by the nature of existence.
The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-2864898980452553832019-06-06T20:34:00.001-07:002019-06-06T20:34:37.525-07:00May 2019: Everything that can go wrong will go wrong

is creating accessible art & media

The facts of life:

Patreon soft launch

The Adventures of FibroShark

coloring pages for fun and prophet

Live Painting with Rachel

the intersection @art&disability

Honestly, my roll-out approximation schedule took falling behind into account. That's with the Patreon launched in the middle of April with very little fanfare: I expected everything to go wahoonie-shaped.

💙💙R

Patreon launch! Support Queer Media for Pride Month!

The last time I tried to have some kind of fundraising campaign it was a short term attempt to raise about $1000 so I could afford to get a new dog and make sure he had insurance and everything he needed. Patreon is different. It's more like a newsletter. Some of the content is public (see the link digest at the end of this post), but Patrons can unlock content and the longer you're a patron the more you can access.

I don't presently have a whole lot of tiers, and I'm still getting into the groove of everything and putting the puzzle of my career back together after it was in a box under another box, which was all underneath the fallen, moldy debris from Hurricane Chronic Illness; so I understand if you just want to follow the Patreon and take advantage of the free stuff until you're comfortable putting your money where my mouth is.

The Adventures of FibroShark episode i: The Fourth Wall

this is the first one. FibroShark is modeling his performance in this comic after Deadpool. For lulz.

Everything good starts out kinda shitty. I'm still formulating a process for this comic. It's drawn on paper with real ink (I'm even going to offer original comics as a tier option on the Patreon once I have enough of these together that I can easily fulfill my promises), and I scan it and then do some minor changes and add the dialogue bubbles. I've developed enough of a style drawing and painting FibroShark for the last 4 years that I'm at least happy with that part of it. I even like the little bits of process remaining in the final comic because it reflects my staunch belief that perfection is unnecessary.

Look, I want you to see my art and believe that you can make art too.

Coloring Pages and Drawing Lessons: coming to an internet near you!
One of the free features on the Patreon is coloring pages! (But if you want the ones with boobies and swear words you have to become a patron.) And I want to see your colored pages! After you print and color one in, take a picture and post it on the Instagrams with the tag #setzerstudioarts, or even tag me!

I've also come up with an idea for a monthly internet program that combines my talent for drawing with my passion for intersectionality! @Art&Disability will invite you to draw with me a la Mark Kissler's "Imagination Station" on PBS -- but while we're drawing I'll talk about issues and current events with the focus being the many ways art helps marginalized people find our silenced voices and make an impact. Essentially, I'm bad at writing and reciting lines, so I decided to do something I'm good at: talk about what I'm drawing.

The first episode will be out later this month, so watch this space (or this space).

Just a bit more about that intersection...
So, the concept of intersectionality was devised to describe the intersection of racial and gender issues, specifically as it affects black women. It has since been stretched to cover the intersection of all racial and gender and ability and sexuality intersections and sometimes the original idea gets lost in that. I want to focus on those affected "first and worst", specifically disabled queer and trans people of color. Those are the voices I harmonize best with and so I want you to hear them too.

Some of the issues I talk about aren't ones that affect me directly and it will be necessary and proper to have guests from time to time. I even hope to form little artist alliances with other Patreon creators to build each other because I genuinely believe the only way to get anything done is to work together.

Live Painting with Rachel in June
I've been doing a weird kind of fb broadcast the last month or so where I talk to myself (or my audience) while working on my current watercolor masterpiece. There have been some technical difficulties (including the internet going out in the middle of the fricken paintcast!), but I'm finding accessible solutions that will keep the painting in focus rather than having it be all blurry the whole time.

The current painting is from the Water Is Life series and currently titled "Night Witches". It's a reflection of the wildfires happening all over the world (but specifically in California, Oregon, and Washington State in the good ole science-denying, climate-defacing US of A) as a result of dry, hot air rubbing against dead, dry bits of trees. I will definitely be casting on the 16th and probably casting on the 9th (altho that's film day for the drawing show, so I might be spent). And at this point, every Sunday in July will have a paint cast.

This is gonna get better as it goes, so if it seems boring to you now, that's ok. I don't actually know what I'm doing with it yet.

Free Content Digest and Some Other Important Links

Real Rent Duwamish

Seattle Indian Health Board

Setzer Studio Arts Patreon

Rachel on Instagram

Setzer Studio Arts and FibroShark on Facebook

The Wedding of the Cosmic Horror (April's free coloring page)

The Adventures of FibroShark no. i

The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-22974943166038313542019-05-09T16:57:00.001-07:002019-05-09T16:57:22.211-07:00Huh... that's weird... {Hatchfund Update}

this was going to be the cover. I already know
I can do better

The most important thing you need to know from this post is that even tho I dropped the ball on this project, I still have the ball, and what it becomes will be even better than it ever could have been without me failing in this endeavor. Everything has changed since I initially came up with the idea for FibroShark Hungry, and the project has never left my plate.

I was ready to start updating my project page again and... everything's gone. Hatchfund is now "powered by FundRazor" and I couldn't sign in with my account. Searching for the project page yields nothing, & going back thru my links from the project's fund-raising emails runs me into 404 errors. It's gone. From 4 years ago (when it was funded). Even the "help" link goes to a page-not-found. I guess the last 3 years really have been as long as they've felt.

Luckily I do have records for who backed the project and I will be getting in contact with everyone I can reach in order to fulfill my end, because I do actually take this very seriously. But since the Hatchfund Dashboard had everything in it, I have to track people down via Facebook. Fun times. Some of you wanted to be anonymous and I had to rely on my silly memory! (I did actually take notes somewhere, I just have to go back and dig them all up to double check.)

See, I was almost done with the whole thing when I put it on hold. A lot of things happened and I needed the time to make changes, take care of my health, lose my mind once or twice, and actually develop the style that would carry forward the message I wanted to send. Once I got finished with what I thought I was making I realized it wasn't good enough. It wasn't what I truly wanted to make, it wasn't what I promised you, and it wasn't going to do anything beyond a single run of vanity publishing. I had to mature in order to tackle this project in a way it deserved, but I also had to learn how to manage being sick so I had something to teach.

That failure was depressing, and I won't say that I didn't try to hide from it for a while. I told people who asked that I was still working on it, which was true, and when my health took a downturn it was suddenly fine with me that it was stuck in "development hell". One of the things I learned from being a capitalist was that sometimes you have to sit with your desires and acknowledge you need to learn more before you can move forward in a truthful manner. Fortunately, I know personally just about everyone who donated to the Hatchfund and most of the are up to date on what's been going on with my health.

But because I was making progress with all of my health issues, (and because I also don't care about hiding anymore), I have been able to start working on FibroShark Hungry again, and I will be following-thru with my promises to my backers. Since I no longer have a way to update my backers, I'll have a special project tier on Patreon and I'm figuring out how to make a database that ONLY my Hatchfund backers will get a link to for early access to interactive stuff, and exclusive access to what I learned from this career defining failure; Including a PDF of the file that has been languishing in my hardrive.

honestly, it was going to be a mediocre
"idiot's guide to blah blah blah".
We deserve better.

Everyone fails. This isn't the first time I have been unable to produce what I promised when I promised to do it, either. Art happens on its own timeline, and I never give up on a project, even if it takes a while for me to come back to it. Thank you all for your patience and forbearance on this matter, I will be in touch with everyone I can reach to offer the digital materials when they're ready.

So, while I feel a small amount of shame for this taking so long to come thru, it's propelling me forward into my next venture during which I will have a much shorter calendar for content delivery.

Watch this space...

❤❤RThe Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-87955685803088327662019-04-01T11:06:00.000-07:002019-04-02T16:02:00.891-07:00Spring 2019 News: "I don't know how back I am, but I'm trying"
You are in the maze. The maze will cover the following subjects:

from the Marvel series Legion,
which posits metal illness as a super power

Being in a maze

artist and shaman are different, but related, professions

studio transformation

a slight attempt to be serious

Creativity Project

Many Plates Method TM

a version of Empire, but where everyone is a cartoon shark

the only way to win a fight is by not fighting and making art instead

❤❤R

Don't Believe Your Own Bullshit

I don't think that artists and shamans are necessarily the same thing, (altho there are people who can be both), but there is a shamanic path that begins with an event that either kills you or makes you try to become an artist, mystical healer, or both. That's the most artfully I can put that because I am conscious of the perils of being a woo-w00 out-there hippie-artist, and I don't want to be caught taking myself too seriously.

You are in a maze. The maze is your body.

There have been some developments behind the scenes here in 2019, and I don't want to get too excited and spill the things before they're corporeal. Suffice to say, there will be more news this year than this one singular lonely post -- unlike last year's one singular, lonely post. I don't want to say life has gotten away from me in the last couple of years, but it sure went somewhere. Piled up on my desk probably.

The Proper Placement and Installation of Things

I've made some changes in my studio, rearranging things and drilling things in to other things; I don't know if adding little bits of furniture to the space over the last year has made it function better, but it certainly looks like somewhere a person can be creative in.

For starters, we dumped that old futon and got a second-hand sectional that has turned into quite the throne, if I do say so myself. I know the coolest people, and when one of them was getting rid of their couch, I messaged Peter immediately "you said I could have a new couch if it was free." And while it was technically free, getting it home was about $60. Still a good deal. (Luckily, the health crisis we were about to fall face first into didn't happen until a few days later.) It won't be possible to keep it clean, so I piled a bunch of blankets on it, and let several of my plush friends make themselves at home on and around it. It's also much easier for Bo to use his stairs to get onto the new throne couch.

There's a permanent (for an apartment) painting station now, and my little plants get a nice amount of sun reflected off the building to the north of us. LilBo Puggins likes to stand on the balcony and bork at anyone and everyone, particularly large trucks. I have around me reminders of the majesty of this beautiful place I call home, and the wisdom of the ages that I draw upon for my creative output. Yet the simple-as-anything bit of subway garbage that is my most precious souvenir from my last trip back east; a white piece of card with red capital letters PAINT on it remains the centerpiece of this place my brain has taken to calling home.

How does creativity work anyway?

Unpacking the luggage of the last several decades has given me some room to process more than one idea at a time. While I continue to develop other projects, it's nice to have one that is mostly reading and journaling so I can get better at writing about my own work, and sharing ideas in general. This year I started a dive into understanding the creative mind, and how to make adaptations to the creative process based on my particular skill-set and limitations. It seems like a lot of my creative process right now is intellectually wandering in circles until I've encompassed the entirety of a given body of work. That may be a perfectly fine way of doing it, but I also run several of those simultaneously because I've always use the Many (spinning) Plates Method of doing anything. And who knows, that could be the best way for me. But I can't not find the answers now that I've asked the question.

Mostly it's writing in the margins and on postit notes right now, but if anything interesting ever comes of it, I'm sure I'll share eventually.

Fiii Brooo Shark *doot doo doo doot doodoo*

When possible, I've been doing a lot of graphic drawings and exercises in order to cultivate a style for the next phase of the FibroShark Empire. It sounds easier than it is. In an effort to monetize the things that art scavengers will be begging my estate to license when I'm dead, I've been aiming some of my illustration practice at coloring pages. Nothing has come out yet, but the informal polling I've done has lead me to conclude there's an audience for something like a cosmic horror or something coloring book. And an "I Give Several Fucks About The Environment" coloring book.

FibroShark himself has had the opportunity to continue development as well. I've reached a place where I can see what this project is really supposed to be. Rather than a long treatise on some kind of feminism that includes queer disabled people of color (which is still the basis of the whole project, never fear), FibroShark Hungry has evolved into a coloring and activity book and solo-tabletop role-playing game that helps the player adapt to their limitations and develop actual life skills for functioning in a world where people think that using a wheelchair means you can't have sex.

I've come a long way using the idea of asking myself what I need to make me able to take the next step. I'm not procrastinating, I'm making accommodations for myself like a good boss should. It takes longer because I have to do things more slowly and systematically; I can't just work constantly for a few days and have a piece of art at the end like I once did.

It's like being in a maze. The maze resets every night and you wake up at the beginning every day, in pain, as tired as when you fell asleep. The fact that most people in the world do not experience this makes your head explode.

You are in the maze. Your head exploding sent you back to the start of the maze. At what point do you stop trying to find the end of the maze and start making art to get out. That's kind of what I want my art legacy to be: arting my way out.

So, for now I'm going to stay mysterious behind the cut. Follow my IG (@rachelsetzer) for the bits of work I can post, and watch this space for developments...
The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-12488284268837807572018-01-14T18:15:00.001-08:002018-01-14T18:15:13.497-08:00News: Oh my gods, 2017 was a nightmareGreetings!

I realize it's been nearly a year since my last entry: both because it says so on the login page for my blog platform and because my typing isn't as graceful as it used to be. (I grew claws during 2017 because that's what you do to avoid hurting your hands, I guess.)

In that time, some things have changed. I want to tell you everything, but I also want to provide my collectors with a full story that I just don't have yet. A lot of things have been going on with my health and we don't have answers at this time. I don't think I'm in any greater-than-average peril, but where I am is not healthy.

FibroShaark Hungry has entered a new research phase that consists of data collection and being able to read a book in about 2 months. There's also a whole lot of waiting involved in the process at this point. I'm sorry that it keeps me from producing even a little content.

In 2017 I did complete three paintings in the Water is Life series. I plan on finishing the remaining pieces this year, but again illness, waiting games, doctor appointments, and the side-effects of the meds that can dampen my pain long enough to get anything done; all kinda add up. Being sick is a full time gig.

Keep an eye on my insta. I'll post what I can when I can.

❤❤RThe Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-37752133672269873672017-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:002017-04-26T16:11:01.890-07:00News Spring 2017Spring News!

I made it thru winter!

New "assistant"

Water Is Life series and the neverending battle to make white people take care of the damn planet

Pain...ting: a little update about my health situation

I want to give excuse like "my life is a mess right now", but the bottom line is, I'm sick, I can't update that much, but I'm never giving up on trying to make the world better with art. See below the cut for more...

❤❤R

New "assistant"

Much cute. Such assist. Very art. Wow.

This guy, Bocephus Louise (aka Bo, LilBo Puggins, Bocephalus, Bubba, etc) has moved into my house and into my hearts. He licked my face within an hour of meeting me, which is usually a good sign with a dog. I had to fight a little to convince Ten that I needed a new dog after Stewart died, but we eventually figured it out and a number of our friends donated to a crowdfunding campaign to help defray the costs of adopting and training a new service dog.

Stewart was a great dog, but he wasn't a great assistant. So far Bo has a handle on how to make me keep to some kind of schedule (primarily getting out of and/or going to bed), and even makes use of the official assistant's ladybug pillow. And he yells at me when I've been in the bath too long. It's the cutest damn thing. We're still working out how to lower my pain levels, but he's trying.

Also, is he the cutest thing on the planet or what?

Water Is Life

production shot of "Keep It In The Ground"

My current painting series is uh... not moving very fast. I'm finishing a painting a month (or less), and it's only a 7 piece series! Unfortunately, the world isn't moving as slowly as I am and things like the Dakota Access Pipeline are going ahead as planned because oil profiteering is more important than the drinking water and sacred sites of the Sioux Tribes.

Global Warming is affecting everyone thru floods, fires, and weather that can't make up it's damn mind! Here in Seattle it's been raining as much as people who don't live here think it does! Thunderstorms have become significantly more common; and we've had less than 7 sunny days since October.

So, while the planet continues to fight back against the infections humanity insists on perpetuating with fossil fuels, I have plenty of outrage to fuel my own work. I wish I could just make pretty pictures of unrealistic scenes, but unfortunately, my work has a lot of rage inside it right now. Protecting the environment is a gigantic and intersectional battle in which everyone must participate. Now, I get the draw of wanting to sell out all your fellow earth-dwelling humanoids in order to win the longest game of Monopoly ever, but eventually the planet is gonna win and, in the words of George Carlin (RIP) shake us all off like a bad case of fleas.

I don't really have much of a manifesto together for this series, but it is continuing to come into being when I have enough energy to actually sit down and paint. Which actually segues nicely into...

Pain...ting

My disability battle is still in its first year, but I did get my initial denial and started working with a lawyer who thinks that, based on my documentation style (compulsive), we'll be able to build a case. The only downside is that this could take up to 3 more years to get it approved. Suffice to say, my health has become quite the messy all-encompassing project.

When I have time to work on things like FibroShark Hungry or Water is Life, often it's for less than an hour of sitting with the project and working on it. Even things like working at my computer are extremely hard on me because I can't really do anything for pain management unless I wanted to waste half my time and energy asking myself what exactly I was working on. But, you know, I do get a pain-free day every once in a while (okay, not pain free, just less pain than usual), and I take those times to do something.

Most of what I do right now is take baths, and try to occupy my brain so that on days when I can't function, (but also can't sleep), I don't go mad from boredom. Being chronically ill is extremely boring. Like, imagine the most bored you've ever been in your life, multiply it by 1000 and then stab yourself in the eye with a butter knife. That's kinda what my life is right now. Even worse is the fact that my career is on hold until disability goes thru and I have some kind of income that will allow me to do the things I need to make this "working artist" thing a reality. I can still paint, but I can't take the hustle of self-employment; particularly self-employment in the arts.

I feel like giving up sometimes -- coping has been especially difficult the last few months for... reasons -- but I know a lot of great people, (particularly artists I admire), have gone thru similar or worse and been able to use that suffering to make great works that changed how people felt about their medium. Those battles also changed history, because art doesn't really exist without suffering. ...actually, life doesn't really exist without suffering.

Now I'm rambling. And typing is starting to hurt. And I need lunch.

Enjoy yourselves out there. Make whatever you're doing great, even if you suck at it art first.
The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-35348171133574523352017-01-29T19:46:00.001-08:002017-01-29T19:46:57.292-08:002016 was not a loss

"Renewal" anchor piece of the new
series "Water Is Life"

It's been a long time since I've posted anything and I know you wondering why. The last 6 months of 2016 were a bit of a whirlwind, and I'll give you some insight as to why...

In April, when a few hundred Lakota Sioux began their protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline, my ears perked up and I began paying attention. While not able to go to Standing Rock, I stood with my brothers and sisters there and sent my prayers and love to them. Months later, when things had settled at home, but begun to become more dangerous at Standing Rock I picked up my paint brush and began to work.

The result has been a series called Water Is Life. It has two pieces currently and will expand to 7 pieces that will address issues facing Water Protectors all over the world, including the Black Snake of oil pipelines, lead poisoning that occurs on Native American reservations (as well as in Flint MI), the effects of global warming on the Arctic Sea Ice, and the frailty of diverse life in our acidifying oceans.

I've always been an activist, always stood with my people (the Native Americans as well as the Jewish ones), and since my medium is watercolor, and defense of the sacred is one of my life-themes, creating a series of work aimed at protecting our most essential global resource was a natural place for my work to go.

While I was beginning this journey, I had to conclude another: coming to terms with my disability. Yes, it took me 6 months to create two paintings. That's because having a chronic illness is a full-time-and-then-some job. I invested a lot of time and effort into devising systems to help me be more productive with my limited abilities, and using a heavily modified version of the Bullet Journal system I've begun to find my way in what is my new normal. I also applied for Social Security benefits that I may or may not ever receive.

The process of creating my new disabled normal had also allowed me to see new avenues of creativity for the FibroShark Hungry book (which I promise is still in progress, but there have been some set backs -- not the least of which is the ironic one where the reason this is needed is also the reason it's taking so godsdamn long to complete). New material is being forged, painted, and written, and with some luck, a little more health, and some effective time-management I will be able to deliver copies of the book into your hands by the end of 2017.

Unfortunately, during this time my family also experienced great loss. My service dog/office assistant/best friend/fur baby died in late October and I am only now coming to grips with how deeply this affected me. Life without Stewart has been more difficult that I can explain in this space, so I'm really only hoping that I can express enough to win a bit more of your patience.

It's taken me the better part of a month to write all of this, (partly because I'm embarrassed that I haven't updated in so long), so I'll wrap it up while I'm on a roll. I love you all and appreciate your support, kindness, and everything that you do to make the world a better place. In the coming months, you can expect more updates from me (I have systems now! Huzzah!), because I'm not going anywhere.

❤❤RachelThe Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-63728836647718988912016-07-20T14:25:00.000-07:002016-07-20T14:25:01.045-07:00Meanwhile, 3 months later...

"Many symptoms of mental illness are
difficult to recognize from the
outside..."

"Others can't be seen from the inside
because they're too overwhelming."

My health issues have been becoming more difficult to ignore or hide. It's become impossible to pretend that I can function like a normal human -- that I can function like I used to. It's been 3 years since my health took a major downturn, and while a lot of amazing things have come about because of me being forced to alter the course of my life, it still sucks.

In the last year, I have begun to look into applying for disability. I am disabled. Day after day I wish that I had the energy, the wellness to leave the house and do something "productive", and in the last six months, I've been trying to work part time delivering food and whatnot. Not once in that time have I been able to work enough to pay all of my bills. Sometimes I get closer, but mostly, I get halfway there and call it good enough because I am not physically capable of more.

This. Is. Devastating. There have been times in my life when I have worked less, or made less money because I was goofing off, but this isn't the same. I'm not enjoying life, I'm writhing in pain, asleep, or stoned out of my mind because there's one  thing that does anything to touch my pain. I haven't even really been making art because when I do have energy I'm hustling to make enough money to pay my student loans, credit cards, and phone bill, and when I don't have energy I'm feeling sorry for myself because I don't have enough energy. I'm depressed. I retracted back into my shell, abandoned many cherished social circles, and have drifted away from several important people. I lose track of housework and actual work.

As a result, art projects have been postponed. FibroShark Hungry has been in post-production limbo for months. I'm not making excuses here. I know I wanted to have the book finished and in your wonderful hands by now, but ironically the reason this book is needed is also the reason it's been delayed. This is affecting my already-fragile ego and I continue to try to avoid the project (or even talking about it!) because I'm so ashamed at my inability to finish it on time.

So check it out: I'm sorry this is taking longer to complete than I originally planned. I'm sorry you haven't gotten your rewards yet. No one has hassled me about it, but I know you're waiting and you want your books, plushies, tshirts, and other artwork. I haven't forgotten, and most importantly I haven't given up.

I'm starting to feel like I'm coming back out of my shell, partly because it's essential to analyzing my current circumstances and finding viable solutions. Some NRE is helping me move about more freely in my own head, and I'm no longer actively putting off contacting a lawyer to get started on disability filings.

The other thing I'm no longer actively putting off is re-scanning the original FSH artwork. I've put it in my planner, so that means it'll get done. I've also written this update, which is kind of a big deal. I know that those following my career and supporting it want to know what's going on, and my history of transparency with my health issues means I can just be frank with you: I've been very depressed. I've felt useless, lazy, unworthy, and impossible. I've felt like giving up and just not making art anymore.

But I still have ideas. I still want and need to make art. And I look to my life for fuel and fodder. So, I'm going to make weekly FibroShark cartoons. They'll be posted here and on FibroShark's facebook page. They will address real issues in the lives of spoonies. Some might even be funny.

This week, I offer the above: two observations about the ways one can become trapped inside one's own brain. Sometimes you're trapped because no one can see that you need help; sometimes you're trapped cuz you don't know you need help. These are not mutually exclusive, and they both suck. But I think we all go thru either and both at various times in our battles with mental illness. You're not alone.

Anyway, it's a new day, and I'm feeling marginally adequate...

❤❤RThe Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-3524912347550074722016-04-12T10:32:00.003-07:002016-04-12T10:32:50.520-07:00Trees in New Zealand are huuuuuuge

It's been a little while since I've updated anything, so I'll start by saying, hi, hello, I'm fine. I've been in a bit of a funk for a few months, but I'm slowly getting back out of it & being productive again.

One of the things that has kept me preoccupied was an impending trip to New Zealand. It was amazing! This was my first international trip*, & I'm glad we decided to start my world-travel with a Very Far Away Place. All together, the flight time was about 15 hours -- that part wasn't fun. I hate flying. Flying with a chronic health condition is a nightmare, but we made it & started exploring on day 1 because jet lag is as nothing compared to the fatigue that comes with the above-mentioned chronic health condition.

We went to Albert Park in Aukland on the first day, & I was immediately blown away by these giant, gorgeous trees! They sprawl out from their centers (sorry, centres... centrees?) & grow as tho the humans around them acknowledge their divinity rather than cutting them down to use for fuel or building materials.

I also visited the Aukland Art Gallery. The space there is impeccably curated & takes great pains to adequately represent the work of New Zealand artists from contemporary as well as previous eras. My favorite exhibit was Yuki Kihara's "A Study of a Samoan Savage", which is a contemporary commentary on racism, Western imperialism, & defiance of same. I liked it so much, I bought the wee book about it. I'll probably write about it at length later.

Next was 7 wonderful days in the resort town of Rotorua, which perpetually smells of rotten eggs thanks to an abundance of hot springs -- the entire reason for its popularity. During this portion of our trip we visited Hobbiton & I got to nerd out there; followed by the glowworm caves at Waiotomo -- which was exactly as awe-inspiring as you think it is. We also spent a good deal of time appreciating** the Māori culture that continues to thrive in New Zealand. Seeing how well-respected the pre-colonial indigenous people are in NZ gave me some hope for the future of indigenous peoples in the US. Not much hope... but some.

The next leg of our journey (following a 6 hour bus ride) took us to Wellington, the capital. This was the shopping portion of the trip for me, as Ten was spending time with a friend he only gets to see when they happen to both be in the same foreign country at the same time. I also visited a synagogue (one of two reform congregations in all of New Zealand), & learned that Jewish women are basically the same everywhere, & they will invite you in, make you a cup of tea & it feels exactly like kvetching in your own community at home. (One of my post-trip to-dos is sending them a postcard to let them know I got home okay.)

From Wellington, we took a scenic train ride to wrap things up with a couple more days in the warm, humid, beautiful city of Aukland (where I, of course, spent more time with the giant trees). And let me tell you, a train for 11 hours is much better than an airplane for 9. The highlight of the train trip for me was saying "baAAAaah!" at every little clutch of sheep we saw (at the behest of my best friend, but also because I kind of make animal noises out of habit). I also moo'd at the cows. We saw an ox once too.

We wrapped up our journey with authentic Lebanese food & the best shisha I have ever had in my life. This was an amazing way to remember New Zealand -- and yes, I am one of those people who takes pictures of my food to later brag about it on the internet.

The greatest take-away I have from this trip is learning that there is room for me in the world. Room for me as a woman. Room for me as a mixed-race person. Room for me as a disabled person -- there was a lot of accommodations in the cities, & not once did a stranger ask me why I have a cane; there was also a lot of disabled people out & about without stigma, (their national health system probably helps there). My horizons have been broadened, & while I am in no way excited to fly anywhere ever again***, I do look forward to further globe-trotting.

I haven't quite processed everything on an artistic level yet, but I do have some ideas rattling around in the old brain-pan. Once work begins on that I'll post an update. I am grateful for this opportunity to see a new place, feel the sun from a different angle, & I think the most important lesson I brought home with me is to always look at a place as tho I am seeing it for the first time. Details are important. Wonder is important. People are important. Mexican food is important.

I guess what I'm saying is, there's no place like home.

__________________________________________
*I have also been to Canada, but never needed a passport to get there because for the longest time Canada was just America Part II; or at least the bits you can drive to are
**Before the trip I had a dilemma as to whether I wanted a tattoo done using the Māori technique, since they were among the first peoples to use tattooing as a rite of passage. I ended up deciding that, since I didn't put enough thought into a design, research, and working with an artist, that I didn't want to get a Māori tattoo this trip. We still have to see the South Island, so there may yet be an opportunity to do this, but I didn't want to appropriate their culture & just be another white-looking person with a Māori tattoo.
***On our return flight my legs turned into leg-sausages. It was very uncomfortable. Luckily, I am not prone to edema the rest of the time, so the swelling went away within 24 hours & 2 baths.The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-47542675963952186252016-02-17T15:37:00.001-08:002016-02-17T15:37:30.067-08:00News: long time, no post; Arborist at A/NT; FibroShark Hungry in post-production

"Arborist Enlightenment"

I don't think I've posted an update yet in 2016, so here's about 6 weeks of art...

Sprites have begun to work their way into the Arborist collection (see fire elemental at right, which may or may not be based on fellow Cornish Alumna Corey Skillman)

There are 4 Arborist pieces up at A/NT Gallery in Belltown for the month of February, & I will be hanging out with the art (& my dog) on Friday

FibroShark Hungry is in post-production

You can find a silly photo series on my Instagram that features the dinosaurs from my Valentine's bouquet

So far 2016 has kinda been a giant steaming pile, & that's affected my health & productivity quite a bit. I'm stable, so don't worry, but life has been getting in the way of my plans -- as it is wont to do -- so art has been taking a backseat to things like... sleeping a lot. But, updates are back on the weekly to-do list, so you can expect to see a bit more from me.

❤❤R

Spirits, sprites, & elementals joining Arborist

I spent a lot of time over the break looking at surrealist art & realized that my current work fits nicely under that descriptor. Shortly after that happened, an earth spirit decided to be part of a tree I was painting, & well, the rest is art history (that is, in the dark at 8AM on a Friday). I don't know how far this will go, but I'm kinda excited to see how it unfolds under my brushes... you may have guessed by now that I don't tend to plan my pieces that far in advance. In all honesty, I just start painting & let the page, brush, & my surroundings lead me into the next piece.

And if you want my advice on how to paint, or make art, or "be creative", all I can tell you is that you just have to start & keep working until you're done... or keep working on a piece until you hate it, then take a break & get some sleep or a snack.

Me & "Arborist of the Spirits" the title of which is taken
from a Cherry Poppin Daddies song about a long-lost
love... I processed some feelings making this piece

Arborist at A/NT Gallery

Here's the Facebook event. It's a decent collection of emerging artists who are working in the Seattle area, & since February is the shortest month, you have less time to go see it. If you want to look at my work with me nearby, I'll be hanging out at the gallery on Friday from 3-6. And yes, Stewart will be there too.

FibroShark Hungry in post-production

Post-production of media that is intended for a large-scale distribution is the most labor intensive period in a given piece's creation. Because it's just me working on this, & everything I do is dependent on intermittent functionality, this is taking a lot longer than I thought it would. I've also never undertaken a project of this size, so I honestly had no idea how long it would take in the first place. Am I making excuses for how long it's taking? Yeah, a little, but those of you who know me well know that work ethic is hardly my weakest quality. I do want you all to be in the loop about what's going on because of how much support you've given me. So that's what's going on there.

Silly dinosaur photos on IG

It's really just silliness. Because I'm a fucking weirdo.

The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-87519967153509296832016-01-11T12:54:00.001-08:002016-01-11T12:54:43.253-08:00#RIPSTARMAN

Aladdin Sane was my first vinyl album...

I have barely done anything this year, because this year is 11 days old -- and fucking fired. What follows is my thoughts on the death of one of the greatest artists who has ever blessed this place with his existence...

I'm having a hard time today... The music lives on, but all I can do is lay here in silence.

I want to paint & listen to his music, but I'm not ready yet.

David Bowie changed my entire world. Before I knew about him, my world was all kinda pastel colors, but his influence brought the whole range of color into my world. Especially reds.

He gave me high contrast & taught me not to be afraid, but to laugh into the darkness. He protected me. For years I had a poster of him on the back of my door, & it was kind of a YOU SHALL NOT PASS, & no one who meant me any harm ever got passed him.

He gave me the strength to use my anger productively. He helped me learn that my weirdness is a fucking gift, not a tragedy. He said, "Rachel, you can play normal, but don't ever try to be anything but fully YOU."

In the last 50 years, he produced some of the best music, & worked with some of the best musicians & other artists. He was controversial, and drug use may have made him cruel. He was flawed & made some bad decisions... but he was never boring.

My favorite version of him is the last one. The face that showed age & depth, & the eyes that never let us forget he was a tough sonofabitch who took *all* the consequences of his actions & fed them into the next iteration.

He was neither good nor was he evil. He was complete.

And today, the world is broken without him. But we can all weep together in the light from his Super Nova.

The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-7221932720868613002015-12-23T13:13:00.004-08:002015-12-23T13:14:11.490-08:00Season's Greetings!

Happy New Year from me & mine to you & yours!
See you in 2016!

The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-19654127365198259522015-12-14T18:21:00.000-08:002015-12-14T18:21:20.152-08:00Year in Review: The Shark-Driven Chariot

Me & FibroShark

2015 was a big year for the studio. Let's look back on how...

interval/tempo a custom piece made in two main segments, Lefty & Righty, took up a lot of time during the first couple months of the year;

FibroShark Hungry Hatchfund campaign was funded in April, tho work had already begun;

I had begun experimenting with making paper in January, & completed my first major work, The Book of Rainbows in April;

Arborist began sometime in early summer as a means of making some extra cash, but since has turned into a defining segment of my portfolio;

FibroShark Hungry was completed in late October... well, I say completed. The post-production is still happening, & the book will be released as soon as it's published;

Arborist Notes evolved out of the original series combined with the idea that my hypergraphia & new love of paper-making could be put to good use;

Further watercolor projects have also evolved from the Arborist series, & I am looking forward to possibly devising a tarot deck... maybe... after the current big project is completed & all obligations to backers are met;

I've spent a lot of creative energies this year making art for people I love, (and that includes cooking!), & there is absolutely nothing I would change about any of it.

Finally, my health journey has continued to be front-&-center for me this year. Frankly, I think it'll be front-&-center for the rest of my life. I have taken a lot of time to care for myself, and I have accepted a lot of care from others.

In 2016 I'm looking forward to collaborating with colleagues, actually publishing FibroShark Hungry, & exploring further the tools I've gathered & skills I've developed. I love you all, & I can't way to share the next chapter of my career with you. Take care of each other this holiday season, & don't forget to call your mother -- unless that's not available to you, then feel free to call mine.

❤❤R
The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-81257889061292250572015-11-22T21:08:00.000-08:002015-11-22T21:08:22.663-08:00News: What's going on?

From our trip to Humbolt Redwood National Forest

So it hasn't been as long as I thought since the last time I posted an update. That's good. I like to try to keep things fairly regular so people are paying attention to meeeeeee.

Go see Arborist & buy some wine at West Seattle Cellars

Commission for holiday gift-things are open thru November 30

Do you want to come make paper with me?

Arborist Notes books are available, but not in the shop yet cuz of reasons

As far as health & things go, I feel like I'm having a bit of an up-turn in energy & productivity. Altho, if I try to do too many things at once I will fall into a flare, so maybe I should be a little more skeptical about this sudden explosion of Being Able To Do Things.

Point is, life is feeling less worse at the moment, & I'm trying to get all I can out of that without actively hurting myself. It's a very delicate balancing act & it involves working on aspects of myself that I'm not as familiar with... like... delayed gratification.

Oh well, laying low means I can get some administrative tasks done... right? Or Netflix. Probably Netflix.

❤❤R

Show-opening selfie!

Arborist at West Seattle Cellars until December 10

The opening reception for this Arborist show was during a wine tasting event at the venue. I talked to several people who expressed interest in the intricacies of my work as well as the compelling story behind it. It was a wonderful experience to step outside my usual scene & meet people I would not otherwise have the opportunity to interact with.

I'm considering hosting a closing reception, but I might just wait until the next show goes up. If you find yourself over in West Seattle tho, do check out this show & maybe buy a bottle of wine... or cider. They have some really unique ciders there...

Commission some art for your holiday gift giving

Presently, I have 6 commission pieces. Most of those will be finished by the end of November & I'll need another half-dozen or so pieces to work on in the first couple weeks of December in order to stay busy & not go mad. So, if you're thinking of giving some art, email me or send me a message on the Book of Faces.

Want to come make paper with me?

I always enjoy having visitors come to the studio to keep me company. It's especially important to have people hanging around when I make paper because it's a long, repetitive process & having someone to talk to is a boon to my energy. Having some extra eyes to watch the iron also makes a difference so I don't have to sit for 4 hours.

The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-4281258702212078372015-11-08T22:43:00.004-08:002015-11-08T22:43:51.433-08:00News: Arborist in West Seattle, as art object & gift

Modified notebooks of various sizes

Now that we're solidly into the rainy season in Seattle, I'm slowing down as far as productivity goes. While I can usually work 4 days a week, in the fall I'm lucky to work 3. It's a bugger and I hate it, but I am still able to do some things...

Remind you to reserve your copy of FibroShark Hungry

Appear for a couple of hours at the opening of the Arborist show this week

Paint a few notebooks all pretty so you can buy them for yourself or someone else you love

Occasionally load or unload the dishwasher

And the rest is sleeping

Right now I'm actually flaring pretty hard (I slept for 15 of the last 18 hours), my shoulders are taped on & I've got pain-relief patches on both wrists that aren't really doing a whole lot of good. I also have a wicked craving for some warm, fresh-from-the-oven baked goods (gluten free, of course), & some cuddling. The only reason I'm writing this post right now is because I want to make sure it gets done so people come to the show this week.

❤❤R

Come and see the show!

"Arborist Mortem"

Arborist is ready to go up at West Seattle Cellars, & it opens on Thursday! I'll be there for a couple of hours, hopefully talking to people about my work, my process, & the importance of this work. I love the world I'm creating with this series, & I absolutely dig how much better I am at painting because of it.

I don't know if you get out to a lot of art shows, or if you've come across much art that moves you, but if this does that excites me to no end. Being able to reach into my brain & pull out something that can be big enough to reach into others' hearts is quite an accomplishment.

And while I mostly paint because I pretty much can't stop myself, having the opportunity to talk about my work with others is a pretty good reason to get out of bed too. So, come & see the show!

Art objects & gifts

The fog one is my favorite...

This last week I've spent time making or modifying notebooks so they're special & pretty rather than simply mass-produced paper-product that's going to get scribbled in & thrown away. There are 3 sizes: 3"x4.5", 5"x7", & 8"x10", but I don't want to encourage anyone to be too precious with them so they're only $15, $20, & $25 respectively. The small ones are completed, & I should get to completing the medium ones this week, if I eschew everything else... & honestly, I might.

These are lined notebooks, (blank sketchbooks will come later, I promise - but you can always commission one too), so if you have ideas that necessitate writing-down or know someone who would benefit from having one of these beauties, let me know.

A bit of reality

Any time something triggers an immune response in my body (&/or if I try to have fun), my body responds with a resounding FUCK YOU!!! that can be heard for about 4 days. This is especially prevalent this time of year. I know a lot of people think that living with a chronic illness is a luxurious life filled with rest & relaxation, but the reality is that being in so much pain you can hardly move is super boring. Wanting to work, but not having the physical strength to do so is depressing. Spending so much time with Netflix that it asks if you're still watching, is not fun.

Often it means friends don't come 'round to play or whatever, because they think you don't want them cuz you'd rather sleep. It means getting frustrated with your dog because he's the only person in the house with any energy. It means having a messy house, but no energy to do laundry.

I know you don't want to read about my problems, but I just have to drop a little reality, lest anyone think that my life is super glamorous because I'm a Real Working Artist. This art thing is happening because I literally can't do anything else, & if I had to give up art too, I'd die of boredom.

Chronic illness sucks. So, be nice to people who are stuck with it. Thanks.

The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-81506392284778735642015-11-05T10:21:00.000-08:002015-11-05T10:27:27.807-08:00News: Arborist show, original art objects, pre-order FibroShark Hungry

With all of this book-making business, I've realized I never
need to settle for a merely adequate sketchbook again

Lots of book-making this past week. Including the object at the right which happened because I was bored & had an extra 40 minutes. The Arborist cover took a bit longer, but the point is, I made a 40-page sketchbook in less than an hour. Anyway...

Arborist going up at West Seattle Cellars November 12

Making various Arborist art objects, including modified notebooks, & eventually other handbound books

Pre-order your copy of FibroShark Hungry to ensure you get a copy from the first run

Did you know I'm accepting commissions?

Hypergraphia & recycling

I want to welcome those who have recently begun enjoying my work. Whenever my fans, new or seasoned, like a piece I post on the FB site a part of me is validated in a highly dramatic fashion. I always welcome feedback & love to hear what my art evokes in your brains & hearts.

❤❤R

"Arborist Moishe" will be at the show... will you?

Arborist exhibition going up at West Seattle Cellars on November 12

Check out the Facebook event here. There will be an opening reception on November 10, when you can come & say hi to me & gush about how much you love my work & tell me in person that this series really moves you in ways you never thought art could move you before. I mean, you don't have to say that, but if you want to I promise I will blush & be so excited that you like what I'm doing.

West Seattle Cellars is another venue that doesn't take a cut, so I'm still able to keep the prices low. This sort of pricing isn't going to last forever, tho, so bear that in mind when you're considering purchasing my work.

Various Arborist Art Objects

I've started to branch out into modifying mass-produced notebooks with the handmade paper covers & hand-painted trees & whatnot. I've got 3 sizes I'm working on (3"x4.5", 5"x7", & 8"x10"), & once I have some finished I'll put them up in the store.

Once that gets some traction, I may start rebinding sketchbook paper into Arborist books as well. In the very least, I never have to settle for a sketchbook that isn't exactly what I want ever again.

Now accepting commissions

For a long time I didn't like taking commissions because I had a bad track record with them. However, recently I have been able to devote a lot more time to art making & increased my production & found ways to redeem myself in the whole under-promise-over-deliver arena. I've also gotten a lot better at servicing my collectors. Sooooo, I'm now accepting commissions for the holiday gift-giving season. If you like my work, but want something specific, let's talk. Go ahead & message me thru the FB site.

Hypergraphia & recycling

Since I was old enough to hold a crayon, I've pretty much always drawn, colored, scribbled, doodled, or written. To the point where hypergraphia is one of my compulsions (that's why I'm so good at updating this blog too). I can't tell you what happens if I don't write/draw/whatever, but usually it involves spiraling into some other kind of harmful behavior that I can't stop because obsessive-compulsive disorder is not pretty or funny.

Anyway, I have decades of sketch books & notebooks & journals just hanging out, taking up space in my closet. But since I've been making all of this paper, I've realized that I can shred all this old stuff & make new books out of it. The paper I'm making from this is turning out quite nicely, & I'm kinda looking forward to a day when I have sketchbooks that are all "new" because I fricken made them. Maybe no one else gets this excited about this sort of thing, but at least I have a way to make this bit of brain damage actually productive. I really just want my illnesses to fix me rather than make me feel broken.
The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-14058354697658961112015-10-26T11:05:00.002-07:002015-10-26T11:05:52.384-07:00News: FIBROSHARK ILLUSTRATION COMPLETE!; not really much else other than that

My entire life has been taken up with completing the book over the last few weeks and I'm excited to announce that FibroShark Hungry is officially ILLUSTRATION COMPLETE!!!

And some other things have happened since the last update...

Pre-order you copy of FibroShark Hungry now that it's almost done! There's not much time left!

Further dalliances into tarot card paintings...

Arborist going up in West Seattle next month

My dog is not dying any faster than anyone else -- HOORAY!

Now that I'm slightly more available on the art-front, I'm taking some time to read about artists & their processes & theories. If you have any favorites you'd like to share, I'm always interested in learning what else you love.

❤❤R

FibroShark Hungry illustration complete!!!

I still haven't gotten tired of typing that. It's a lot bigger of a deal that most people realize, partly because I've made ambitious goals a lot in my life & so far illness has always gotten in the way (except I did graduate from college -- this book is that level of big deal; let's just say it's my Master's Thesis). I completed the text a week or so previous to completing the illustrations. At this point, I'm severely relieved, but there's still plenty of work to do. In a few weeks I'll have more information on when it's going to press & when it'll be published f'reals.

Those of you who have been following this saga for the last 6 months have been so supportive & I'm unfailingly grateful.

Tarot paintings...

"Grief" is a 9"x12" watercolor on handmade paper
& pulls off aspects of The Fool

 I've studied tarot for nearly 20 years, & in that time I've consistently failed at designing my own deck. In the coming months I'll be designing a map-themed oracle deck with my patron, Voodoo. I think this may further equip me to design a full tarot deck, but we'll see.

Just about everything I paint from here out is going to be on my own handmade paper -- because it's becoming part of my identity as an artist. Work becomes so much more personal when the artist also made the substrate.

Anyway, that's going to end up being a theory piece eventually, because, after all, the medium is the message.

My dog is not dying!!!

It's been a thoroughly emotional week, so on top of finishing up the illustrations for the book, I spent a lot of time freaking out about my dog being very sick. He spent the night in the doggie hospital on Thursday night, but by Friday was feeling much better & eating like a champ. (For those unfamiliar with pugs, they're nearly as dedicated to food as they are to cuddles, so a pug refusing food is a big fucking deal.) By Sunday night he was back to clattering around the house, jumping off the couch & sliding to the other end of the room, begging for noms, cuddling, & being a pug.

He's nearly 15, so it was scary for me & Ten to leave him at the hospital because we didn't know if he was just having old age set in or if it was because he's sick with something he'll get over. Now we know that he'll get better (tho he'll probably spend the years he has left on meds to keep his airways open because he has "airway disease"), & it's a gigantic relief.

Thank you all for your prayers for his recovery. Here's a picture of him feeling better.

The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-66685256098550712662015-10-12T01:05:00.000-07:002015-10-12T01:05:19.863-07:00News: FibroShark Hungry, custom paper & other holiday gifts, encaustic season

A number of FibroShark stickers

In case you missed it, last week was a bit of a fucking nightmare, pardon my Klatchian. Because of said nightmare, there wasn't any news, so here's two weeks of news.

FibroShark Hungry update

I also made some stamps & stickers

And a flipbook!

Some ideas for your gift-giving needs

Stay tuned for an update to the store, just as soon as I get a moment to take care of that

Encaustic season is around the corner, so last chance to jump on those pieces from last year!

I'm feeling much better this week, so I think I should be able to get quite a bit of work done! Also, Happy National Coming Out Day to everyone who was able to come out! (And to those who weren't, thanks for keeping yourself safe.)

❤❤R

Latest production sheet. Most of this won't
mean anything to anyone but me.

Update on FibroShark Hungry

Overall, it's about 75% complete. Illustrations are at 90% with one comic to build from scratch, two to redo, & one that just needs coloring. The text is around 90% too, with some very valuable editing done by a few very valuable people.

After that work is done, I'll need to scan the artwork & put everything together in Publisher before it goes off to the printer. It's all becoming quite real, & I'm very frickin excited about it... or I would be if I wasn't also terrified.

You can still pre-order the book in the SSA store, but if you want to wait til the last minute, I'm sure that would be okay too.

Sharkydinks, stamps, & stickers

I had a lot of downtime last week, since my brain kind of... oh, decided that it didn't want anything to do with me for three days. During that time I made shrinkydinks, stamps, & stickers all with a FibroShark theme. They turned out really cute, & I'm certain that I'll be using them for various things to do with the project itself. Using the large stamp to make multi-colored sharkydinks was quite easy, & I think sharkydink necklaces might be on their way.

it's kinda hard to flip a flipbook with one hand, but I think you get what I was going for #FibroSharkHungry #flipbook #postit

A video posted by Rachel Setzer (@rachelsetzer) on <time datetime="2015-10-09T03:00:54+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 8, 2015 at 8:00pm PDT</time>

Additionally, I will probably digitize the large stamp to make it into labels people can add to their copy of the book - & one of these days, when the book is done & all the rewards are completed, I'll probably add a plush FibroShark to the store too. After the book, no number of plush sharks will every be as much work.

Holiday gift-giving ideas

Are you a creative type? Do you like to make your holiday gifts? Do you want some handmade paper as a starting place for those gifts? If so, you can order a dozen 9"x12" pages of handmade paper for $40! It can be customized by color, with glitter (or without), & made to include such bits of plants like bamboo, flowers (ground or whole), & other bits of magic. Orders can be ready in as little as a week.

 Sale on last year's encaustic pieces!

As soon as I've finished the FSH illustrations, I'll probably be getting back to the griddle & painting in encaustic again. So, starting 10/15, all currently available encaustic pieces will be $25 (plus $5 for shipping), & when I update the store, I'll even be adding the Relative Time & Space pieces everyone seems to love. Pieces that don't sell by the end of the year will be scrapped & never seen again. Even that TARDIS piece. Point is, buy now or risk never being able to.
The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-69879051588157895742015-10-10T00:04:00.000-07:002015-10-10T00:04:30.087-07:00This week in mental illness...Most people who are at all close to me understand that I have a tendency to be completely transparent about suffering from multiple, sometimes disabling illnesses. Fibromyalgia is the catch-all for my pain, but it's in the world's worst triad relationship with chronic anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. I'm vocal about my suffering because doing so is one of the few things that helps me maintain my tenuous grasp on reality... Oh! And because I'm a feminist who wants to create a better world that has room for people who experience chronic health conditions.

The other reason I'm open about having a mental illness is that it's the go-to diversion when someone decides to kill a bunch of people. The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators thereof. I may be one of the lucky middle-class-ish people who has access to shelter, food, and adequate healthcare, but I'm still one of the many millions of Americans who suffers from a mental illness.

For example, this week was very exciting in the Setzer household. Monday & Tuesday were fairly productive, & Wednesday even got off to a pretty normal start: have coffee, feed dog, experience complete mental breakdown. Oh, wait, that last bit isn't normal.

Panic attacks are not an unusual thing for me. I mean, I've been having them since I was 8, & most of the time the go something like this:

That is I tend to go from drinking coffee to wanting to scratch my skin off, to crying, & back to my coffee in an hour or so. It's pretty routine, so I have developed the ability to deal with it. Usually all I need is to express the ill-humors, & it's back to normal.

However, this week was a little different...

Actually, I was in pain & looking for my KT tape, but not experiencing any sort of panic at all...

I got frustrated not being able to find my KT tape. I couldn't think because I was in so much pain, so I took some medicine. After a while, I gave up trying to find relief & decided to see if the meds would do anything... they didn't. Instead...

I slipped into a sort of dissociative state & watched what was happening to me from deep inside

My muscles started to tighten, my breathing got short & ragged & after a few minutes I got that feeling in the back of my throat that meant no matter how much I wanted to scream for help or cry or tell others what was going on, no words would be coming out until the attack was over. I think I experienced the same physiological symptoms I get when I have really bad nightmares (because a nightmare is a panic attack that happens when you're asleep): I curled up into a ball, & could only move my eyes & fingers. Words evaporated from my mind. For the first bit of it, I chronicled the experience to my spoonies, because I knew they would understand & because I wasn't sure I would remember it. Plus, it was fascinating.

To be sure, this was a full-fledged panic attack, but I wasn't scared. I've been thru this experience before. I've even lost the ability to speak during a panic attack a few times before, so I knew I would come out of it. I also knew that going to the emergency room would have made things about a zillion times worse.

A few minutes in, Ten came into my room to tell me that the dog had pooped in the house (again), but he immediately knew something was wrong when I didn't move or respond. I typed what was happening into my phone (yay pocket internet machine!) because it was in my hands, & he sat down next to me & asked if I wanted a hug. The comforting touch of a loved one has always been essential in bringing me back from the edge of my insanity, so for 20(?) minutes he sat with me & I did everything I could to convey that I really needed him to be there.

Eventually, this stage of the attack hit its peak & I asked him to straighten out my legs so I could start to come down from Panic Mountain. Ten had to get back to work, so Stewart took over & fulfilled his duties as Emotional Support Animal.

"Stage 3: Naked & Crying" is the title of my next book.

After I was able to unwind my body, I turned onto my left side & began to ground myself. "I am in a safe place," I told myself in the squishy, dark magenta hallows of my head. "I am in a safe place in a nice room in a nice house in a nice neighborhood in a city that I love," I imagined myself actually speaking these words, which meant that I was even starting to get my words back from whatever monster had suddenly stolen them.

My breath got steadier, smoother, & more relaxed. From there, my yoga training kicked in, feel your attention return to your fingers and toes my internal yoga teacher instructed as I began to wiggle my fingers & toes in a not-currently-spiraling-into-madness way. And on your next inhalation, turn over onto your right side as tho you were about to fall asleep, this sentence frequently closes meditation sessions for me, & I only had to repeat it to myself 3 times before I actually did turn onto my right side.

"Well, that was unpleasant," I finally said aloud.

A few minutes later I was able to get out of bed & make myself some food, but I wasn't out of the woods yet.

Nothing is more frustrating for me than not being able to think

It took more than 48 hours after the physiological symptoms of this attack abated for me to get my brain back. Thursday I had a second severe panic attack in my sleep, which resulted in nightmares that felt the way losing your mind is portrayed in the movies. I spent most of Thursday sleeping or distracting myself from what I had experienced because I really couldn't process it yet. All day I forgot words I routinely use, & I felt like I was fighting thru a haze just to get to my own thoughts. When I did reach my thoughts, they were full of evidence convincing me that I am just kind of bonkers normally & that I don't really live in the real world -- altho I seem to pay rent here what with the eating & drinking & sex & drugs & rock'n'roll.

Today, Friday, I have been able to think about it a little more & analyze what went on, but I didn't really feel like I could think clearly until around 8:30pm, some 56 hours after my aphasia & paralysis had relented.

I don't know what lead to this episode. Some may jump to blaming some of the medicines I use, or that I haven't been eating enough recently; it could be hormones, or weather changes; it could be side-effects of caffeine or nicotine; or it could be any or all of these things. Honestly, it could be none of these things, because I've always had panic attacks, & sometimes they are just bad.

At no point during this episode, however, did I feel violent. I never thought that I would solve anything by harming anyone. I knew the entire time that I was safe where I was, that it would blow over, & I would get my body back because that's how my illness works. As far as I can tell, that's how most mental illness works: you'll have a surge of symptoms that are frightening, but if you're in a supportive environment you know you'll get thru it & eventually you do (not that it's pleasant).

There are people with mental illness who lack supportive environments; who feel alone & worthless & like they will never be able to function as they once did. It's terrifying to be in that place, & there are predators who take advantage of people trapped in these circumstances. Those who are likely to be violent are going to harm themselves, rather than others (do you know how much easier it is to hurt yourself than to hurt someone else?), & even if they can get their hands on a gun a person without hope or any real connection to reality is probably going to shoot themselves before shooting anyone else. Really, they're most likely to be shot by police, whether they're armed or otherwise.

Factors like homelessness, food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, & abuse are going to affect people with mental illness more than the availability of guns ever could. Yet we keep insisting that it's mental illness that causes all of these mass shootings in our country; that guns don't kill people, "crazy" people do. That "crazy" people are going to find a way to kill people, gun or no gun. That "dealing with the mentally ill" will end these shootings -- except those talking points are then followed with how guns are the most important right we have; more important even than the right to not be killed by someone with a gun. These so-called crazy people are only mentioned as a scapegoat so that we can protect our precious firearms.

I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that lumping millions of Americans with mental illnesses ranging from depression to schizophrenia into this category of people likely to be violent if not closely monitored is divorced from the reality of mental illness. It's also just passing the buck & blaming a group of people who need our care & compassion rather than stigma & shame.

And yes, full disclosure: I dislike guns. Loud noises make me cry, & my weapon of choice for the zombie apocalypse is a machete. But what I'm really trying to say is deal with your shit, America. Don't just blame it on the vulnerable like some over-militarized abusive drunk.The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-41687389429710118922015-09-28T12:23:00.000-07:002015-09-28T12:23:05.154-07:00Art isn't meant for survival? Bite me: a dissent

This guy rescued a Caravaggio painting because
"art isn't meant for survival".

Season 5 of The Walking Dead hit Netflix this weekend, & like a good consumer of media, I spent all of Sunday watching it (except for the part where Ten & I went to watch the eclipse).

In the 4th episode, "Slabtown" we learn Beth is alive* and was rescued by this, let's call it a police state, that basically enslaves people. It's a gross premise, meant to offer a contrast to the Rick Grimes-lead Musketeers.

That's not my criticism. It's a tv show, I basically ride tv shows like roller coasters because I enjoy them, not because they offer any kind of legitimate commentary on society pre- or post-zombie apocalypse. The bit I have a rant about is Dr. Goodbeard and his soliloquy on how art isn't meant for survival.

The hell it isn't.

This statement is routinely made by people who are not fighting for survival. Without art there's barely any reason to survive. Oh, you might say "sure there is" and offer a litany of activities & ideas that basically boil down to art. Of course, Medieval and Renaissance art are the most recognizable, but the least survival based but even the commissioned religious pieces of this era were made because they had to be lest the painter starve to death (having no warm bodies nearby to consume, naturally).

People who make art don't do it because they like it.

People who make art don't do it because you think it's pretty.

People who make art don't do it so that in 100 years it'll be on stationery and greeting cards.

People who make art do it because they have to in order to survive.

Maybe the real world isn't a dystopian hellscape full of walking corpses that threaten to make you one of them with a single bite, but have you ever considered why? Those deprived of art are basically walking corpses. Everyone consumes art. And while some people do it because it's fun & pretty, most people do it because art is vital to a healthy society. Art is where social commentary comes from. And while, sure, painting isn't going to be a skill necessary to survival in a post-apocalypse world**, everything you'll be fighting to regain will be very easily summed up in the act of creating, imitating, or remembering images, melodies, dances, stories, and art.

Art is what makes survival possible. Because without it, we become the walking dead.

_____________________________________________________
*Don't give me lip about spoilers if you're more than an entire season behind.
**But dancing sure as shit will be.The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-63776721076762766462015-09-22T14:28:00.000-07:002015-09-22T14:28:41.195-07:00News: SSA Vegas Vacation; Steamposium this weekend!; Arborist at GLC thru 10/4

"Bat Country"
digital image

Hey! We got home from Vegas just in time for me to be completely laid up on Yom Kippur (generally not a good sign, but I haven't died yet). Before I go dark in honor of the Day of At-One-ment, here's the news:

Steamposium is THIS WEEKEND! Go buy art!

Arborist is still up & I'll be making another appearance if you want to look at the work with me;

Pre-order FibroShark Hungry so you can make sure you get a copy;

Shout out to Randall & Dez who just tied the knot this weekend!

As usual, you can find all my public shenanigans by following me at the links on the far right.

❤❤R

STEAMPOSIUM September 25-27 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center

These pieces. Remember them?

I'll have several encaustic pieces and hopefully a few watercolors up in Artist Alley during this convention dedicated to Steampunkery. You may remember my Relative Time & Space series (that ended up being 5 pieces so far, but I've been hella busy with all those other projects, dig?) that looks kinda like Circular Gallifreyan because, you know Time Lord. I've got them on hangers & they'll run about $100, because I like to keep my work in the affordable range.

I'm also making some attempts to Steam up some of the Wee Arborist pieces, so hopefully I'll be able to pull that off & you can look at &/or purchase those as well (running about $20 each cuz they're tiny but fierce).

Arborist still up at GLC

Several people have expressed a need to look at my work with me & give me an opportunity to talk about my favorite subject: ME! I have a couple private dates set up, but watch this space for a closing reception event invite. You can still check out the delicious drinks & food at Georgetown Liquor Co without me, of course, & I highly recommend it.

newly weds!

Congrats Randall & Dez!

This past week Ten & I flew down to Vegas to celebrate Ten's BFF & his new bride. We had an awesome time enjoying the weather, the company, & building even better friendships. It was a privilege to cry at this wedding (because I couldn't stop myself... not even a little). As for me & Ten, we also celebrated our 1-year anniversary of being not-married & spent plenty of time poolside - & only lost about $15 gambling... because it turns out I'm not as good at real roulette as I am at fake roulette.
The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-63242506939665076362015-09-16T13:33:00.002-07:002015-09-16T13:33:59.523-07:00News: Arborist at GLC, FibroShark Hungry presale; Happy Jew Year!

photo by Braden Duncan

You may or may not have read my reflection post from the show opening, but you can do that here. And now, the news:

Arborist opened at GLC on Saturday, & we had a great time.

The presale of FibroShark Hungry is still open!

Happy new year to all my Hebrews, Shebrews, & Theybrews; you are loved & I hope 5776 is full of sweetness & light

Don't forget to stalk me on the internet using the links at the right, and make sure you're keeping up with Art Scene Seattle for all your artwalk needs!

❤❤R

Arborist at GLC thru October 4

The show opened! People came to see my work! They told me it was really cool & moved them. I was so happy to have my work up on walls again. You can still go see it thru October 4, & might even be able to wrangle an art date with me while doing so.

FibroShark Hungry presale

Is still on! Really, it'll be on until I send final numbers to the publisher. It's $32, which includes shipping. If you missed the Hatchfund campaign for whatever reason, or didn't choose a copy of the book as your reward at the time, go ahead & order a copy. I will be ordering extras when we do the first run of the book, so when the release party comes around, you'll still be able to get your copy... probably. The only way to know for sure is to pre-order.

Happy Jew Year!

It's officially 5776 on the Hebrew calendar, & I'd like to say I'm off to a good start -- emotionally anyway. My life is really good, I have loving partners, an awesome dog, & my career is taking off kinda slowly, but moving ahead anyway. It's a really nice feeling to know that people are excited about your work. I think this year will be good for me, & I'm hoping it will be for you too!
The Empresshttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-63613678073922262962015-09-13T13:05:00.003-07:002015-09-13T13:05:38.127-07:00Arborist opening reception, Saturday September 12

digital promo flier by Braden Duncan

I'm starting this post a few hours ahead of the show opening, because I'm so excited that I can't really do anything else... One thing I know is that GLC is a great place. I also know that the show looks good, which is important. I've learned a lot since my last solo show (March 2014), and you can tell...

Later...
My biggest fans showed up in support of the show opening, and it was wonderful to see each of you. Even more wonderful is the feedback I've been getting about this era in my work. It's resonating with people in ways that are unique as compared to responses I've had from previous works. Before, my work was "cool", but this time around, it's moving people.

Also, at least one person got the joke in "Arborist Moishe".

I've had some time to process last night, and I'm very happy about it. This work is more than just watercolor trees on handmade paper. It's part of a larger vision of helping people function, and see themselves as complete not in spite of their suffering, but because of it. My whole life has been developing along this line of accepting suffering and using it as fuel for greatness and spiritual enlightenment.

Is that too much? Maybe. It is just an art opening in a bar in Georgetown.The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-862432670822372509.post-30920046638110944702015-09-08T10:25:00.000-07:002015-09-08T10:25:10.614-07:00News: Arborist at GLC, Steamposium, & a bit about the redwoods

The illustrious Braden Duncan installing Arborist at
Georgetown Liquor Company in Seattle

Back from a very inspirational vacation & ready to share some news! Here's the headlines:

Arborist is up at Georgetown Liquor Co on Airport Way in Seattle thru the end of September

You'll be able to come say hi & maybe buy some art from me at Steamposium September 26th & 27th

The gift of Humbolt Redwoods State Park

Short news post this week because I have a lot to catch up on, but you can follow me at the links on the right side of the page.

❤❤R

Arborist up at Georgetown Liquor Co

The opening reception for Arborist will be this Saturday, September 12th at 6pm. I'll be hanging around a bit during that time (probably around 7-ish for an hour or so, then hopefully going to look at the rest of the art), if you want to say hey, buy me a drink or talk to me about the work itself. If you're unsure as to whether you want to see the show in person (yes, it's a 21+ venue, sorry kiddos), here's the blog I wrote about Arborist that will give you a better idea of why it's so important.

Steamposium September 26 & 27th

Actually, it probably starts on that Friday, cuz it's a con, and cons always start on Friday nights. Check out the website for more details, and be assured that I'll be making lots of pretty things for you to buy in Artist Alley.

The Gift of the Redwoods

As we drove the Avenue of the Giants in Humbolt Redwood State Park, the trees dropped bits of themselves into El Calibre via the open sunroof. Instead of brushing them out of the car, I decided that I was being given permission to take these bits of trees home to make paper with them. So, that's what I'll be doing as soon as I get the opportunity.

Spending time in that gigantic forest of giganticness was awe-inspiring to say the least. I took a ton of reference photos, & was very pleased at how these trees seemed to embody a lot of the design I've been painting in the Arborist series. So many trees looked like those I've already painted, but more importantly there were trees that still needed to be painted. It was glorious beyond my ability to describe.

This tree, for example, needed to be
painted

So while nature is vicious & will devour you without a second thought, it's also pretty fucking cool.
The Empresshttp://firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Friday Notebook, April 5: Citrix news roundup and product updates; Oktane 2019
Also: Lots of identity; VDI optimizers; podcast with Kevin Goodman; Teradici; Quest UEM; Scalefusion; Android security; and more!
This is our weekly log of desktop virtualization, enterprise mobility, and end user computing news.
Our blog posts
Kyle: Catching up on WebAuthn and FIDO Alliance in 2019. FIDO Alliance's effort is finally paying off as more of their authentication work becomes adopted.
Jack: Oktane 2019 news: Advanced Server Access, Okta Identity Engine, and Okta Hooks. We're at Okta's show in San Francisco this week. Here's a summary of the pre-announcements; stay tuned for more EUC news and notes from the breakout sessions.
Jack: Kevin Goodman talks Windows Virtual Desktop - BrianMadden.com Podcast #138. Is Windows Virtual Desktop a faster horse? What does it really mean for our industry? What is Kevin up to? Listen now to hear about all this and more!
Ryan: VDI image optimizers: Always useful, and now even more important. Thanks to Windows 10 and the cloud, you're probably spending more time working on optimization than ever before.
Kyle: What I learned at Oktane 2019: Okta Hooks are neat and zero trust is everywhere. Can't escape zero trust in the industry right now--and that's a good thing!
Jack: Apparently Citrix is for sale again, and one of the potential buyers also owns Jamf and Ping. We've been down this road before.
Industry news: Citrix Spotlight
Well, there's been a lot of news about Citrix this week.
First, as I covered in my full article, the New York Post reported that Citrix is up for sale. While other sources apparently contradicted this, you'd have to think that if Citrix weren't for sale, they would have denied it when the Post reached out for comment.
Second, amid word of more layoffs, Citrix confirmed to our fellow TechTarget website that 25 people in the marketing department were let go. They denied that any executives were laid off, though.
Third, Citrix has released a follow up blog post about their breach, which we first covered about a month ago. In the post, they acknowledged that the attackers used password spraying to access the Citrix network. They said that there was no sign that the attackers discovered or exploited any vulnerabilities in Citrix products to get in. And, as before, Citrix said that there were no signs that the security of their products or services was affected.
This leaves us wondering if the attack was successful because the affected accounts just didn't have MFA in place—it can certainly take a long time to roll out MFA across large organizations. Now, as a part of its response to the breach, Citrix started a new series of blog posts covering security best practices, and the very first post was about rolling out MFA. It even mentioned that MFA is crucial for protecting against attacks such as password spraying.
I'm making a leap here, but I think this is Citrix's tacit explanation for the breach. It's still unfortunate that it happened, but it's not as bad as if, say, the attackers had found some sort of critical vulnerability.
On to a more positive note, I have to say that I've been perusing the Citrix Synergy content catalog, and I'm very excited to see all the identity and workspace sessions. I'll be contributing to that as well, as I'll be giving TechTarget's sponsor session, and it's going to be all about identity.
In addition, the product updates keep rolling along. Here's what came by this week:
- Updates to Citrix ADC
- Linux VDA 1903
- What's new with Workspace 1903, which includes updates to Virtual Apps and Desktops and Endpoint Management.
- Citrix's Cedexis acquisition—now Citrix Intelligent Traffic Management (ITM)—is now integrated with Citrix ADC/NetScaler and, as of the most recent announcement, available as a service.
- What's new in Citrix Optimizer 2.1. (Relevant for Ryan's article this week!)
The rest of the industry news
The Android Security and Privacy Year in Review 2018 is out! Time to start reading, and prepare another blog post for our series on mobile security.
Teradici this week announced "PCoIP Ultra." There's support for more third-party codecs, better resolution, frame rates, and other improvements.
Quest Software—the one that formerly made vWorkspace and went in and out of Dell—has been continuing to grow their EUC business. I wrote about their current incarnation about a year and a half ago; this week they announced that they're up to 10,000 customers, they have some new product updates, and they named a new president and GM, Gary Broadwater. I'm catching up with Gary today, so I'll be sure to share my notes.
Over the last few weeks, I've become acquainted with EMM provider Scalefusion, which until this week, had been known as MobiLock Pro. Congratulations to the team on the rebranding!
The Windows 10 May 2019 Update will give users more control over update timing, and the update will be more focused on quality.
More notes and reads
Brian Madden (the person) wrote an article this week called "I talked to 160 customers in the past year about their EUC plans. Here's what I learned." Much of the article is about enterprise EUC in general, not just VMware products, and since it's very hard for most of us to meet that many customers in a year, it's an extremely useful read. I'll highlight two parts (though you really should read it on your own): All large companies are the same; and most of them are actually talking about things like "Workplace Transformation" on their own—so all this modern EUC stuff isn't just vendor marketing hype!
Here's Jason Bayton on Android Q.
Are you familiar with WhatMatrix.com? It's a community-run site that allows you to sort through a bunch of product comparison matrices, in an interactive way. It's definitely interesting to poke around, and anybody who's ever tried to write a product feature comparison blog post or presentation will surely appreciate how much work goes into these things. Anyway, I'm mentioning this because this week, they released their DaaS comparison page. Check it out!
Last week, we shared VMware's video of what's new in Workspace ONE UEM 1903; now there's more information in print.
On my reading list: Uber Engineering blog: Scaling MDM for macOS with Chef.
HIPAA-compliant Alexa Skills are a thing now. (Via VentureBeat.) (MDM for Alexa has been around for a while.)
More announcements
Today is the last day to submit for the Best of Citrix Synergy 2019 Awards, so vendors, if you're going to be there, let the judges know about your cool products! (I have a sneaking suspicion that you could still submit over the weekend, but now's the time.)
If you're at Google Cloud Next 2019 in San Francisco next week, come by Lookout's panel event on post-perimeter IT. I'll be speaking with an esteemed group about this most interesting topic, plus there will be drinks! It's Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m., at Hawthorn on Geary Street. Learn more and register here.
A little farther our, I'll also be taking part in the VDI Performance Summit, streaming live online all day on May 2. Register here.

subset: commoncrawl