Happy New Year, comrades.

I decided not to torture you with a wall of text at night and postponed this post until closer to the afternoon — I assume you’ve already had a good time by now.

This year went by in the format of studies first, drawing someday later. I’m not an honor student, I don’t feel like I’ve accumulated mountains of knowledge, and my head still feels just as empty — yet somehow the time is gone anyway.

About the artwork

This piece is less of a New Year’s postcard and more of an attempt to jump higher than I probably can. My skill level still doesn’t quite match the number of hours I’ve put in, but I’m growing and developing within my limits regardless.

There aren’t that many hidden references or small details in the scene, but almost everything is connected in one way or another to my life and the year I’ve lived through. The skatepark theme wasn’t chosen randomly: this year I learned how to ride a board with wheels.
Another important detail is the partially painted-over drawings on the ramps. The meaning isn’t straightforward, but…

I’m closing commissions.

For an indefinite period of time, with the exception of YCHs and, possibly, a few specific art ideas.

I will finish the YCHs by February at the latest.
As for the remaining artworks, things are more complicated: if anyone is tired of waiting, please message me privately to cancel. Otherwise, the wait may be… unspecified.

The reason isn’t burnout or anything like that. Rather, I realized how quickly something you love can turn into routine. At some point, you catch yourself thinking that the one thing that lets you breathe becomes just another task on the list after university.

I want drawing to remain an escape. I’m not saying my commissioners are bad — on the contrary, you are wonderful, supportive, and give me creative freedom. But something still feels off: I don’t feel happy when I draw commissions. It’s more neutral. Gray. Because of that, commissioned works often turn out weaker than what I could produce at my best. Yes, there were commissions I was genuinely excited about — but routine ones still outweigh those rare exceptions.

In closing
May the next year bring you more free time, more energy, and more reasons to do the things you truly enjoy.