Shmurfles

I got a writing brainworm and wrote 13k words in two days for what was supposed to be a quick, short story. OTL I just made it to what is supposed to be the halfway point.

*sweats nervously* I have a character named Ace who I use as a sort of... litmus test on how my other characters might behave or react. >_> Just so I can figure out how I want to write them.... Very normal of me.

There is so much flow and movement on the wings. >o<

I got incredibly ill and it took me like 8 years to finally find a doctor to help. I still don't have a proper diagnosis, but some management. Being sick made me gain over 100lbs and I've been working for the last year trying to lose it. It's slow, but anything matters. I'll get there. You will too.

My doctor told me: think about how many years it took you to gain the weight. It might take you just as long to lose it. That's okay.
You will have bad months and that is okay. Know that you are capable of picking back up when you feel better and continuing. Taking care of yourself matters first.

Image depicts my progress as a digital artist. Left most thumbnail is from 2026, middle thumbnail is from 2022, and right most thumbnail is from 2015. All images show the same character, who has black hair, golden brown eyes, and a bright green bow in her hair.

It's always super humbling to see your progress as an artist lmao
Looking back at old art and going... why the hell did I do that? How did I not notice how bad that looked lmao

Devastating. I cried with Vul ToT I'm still teary eyed OTL
(You did such an amazing job on this! JFC it's beautiful!)

I don't really post my art publicly anymore. The only thing you'll probably find here is summaries and fanart.
I've spent 2 decades losing my soul doing commissions, so now I'm happy to be sitting in my own corner, drawing just for myself and my own happiness, with no pressure from an audience. <3

I know barely anything about FFXIV and I still watch you play it, it's fun to chill and listen to lmao.
Also your art streams fuel me. I drew 4 pieces of art yesterday while you were streaming your own art. I love your art streams so much. <3

Ochibleppie1 by Forkwands on DeviantArt

Full res:
www.deviantart.com/stash/021cm9...

Image depicts digital fanart of Shenpai's character Ochi. He looks somewhat disgruntled and childishly has his tongue stuck out.

My head canon is that every time Voxer is being a POS, Ochi sticks his tongue out, but only when Voxer can't see. :') Definitely not an excuse to draw Ochi with his tongue out, because I'm always very normal.
Full res in comments. #Shenpaint

Image depicts a cropped work in progress of digital art featuring a swatch of exposed skin covered in thick freckles. A small part of a gloved hand is visible at the top, and a piece of clothing on the side.

Full body freckles vs my Shitty Ass Witch Thumb
I conquered the freckles this time jfc.

I think I caught whatever you got, because I went from barely being able to draw once a month to feeling a desperation in my heart to keep drawing after the third picture in a day has already been completed. IDK how or why this happened but it is consuming me.

This is such a fantastic illustration. >o<
I love all the little scenes adghsagdgas

Image depicts a collage of artwork that I have completed throughout January 2026. Images are cropped into frames, obscuring the majority of the image.

Finished 31 pieces of art in January. I've been sick as hell since mid-month, so I'm surprised I got this much done.
Feeling tentative about sharing my art anymore, even just thumbnails, but here we go idk.

It came out amazing! :O
I'm just going to be over here admiring Ochi's markings. Casually, normally. o///o

Genuinely impressive amount of art completed that quickly. You're my hero. I'm so jealous of your willpower lol

This was such a fun stream to watch and listen to while I was working on my own art <3
All three pieces came out amazing :)

Sheeesh. That's wild! I'm super excited, but also I don't mind waiting extra if it takes a bit longer. That's a lot of art to complete that quickly!! :O

Ahhh, very exciting! I'm trying to be very normal about Ochi, as per usual. <3 His design is just so good.

I know almost nothing about Final Fantasy aside from tiny bits I've seen in streams and I just want people to know I thought you were mentioning 'Prague' and I thought you were going on vacation. I am so embarrassed lmao

Thoroughly enjoying how dramatic these two are in most of the panels. 10/10 no notes. :) Really feel like this chapter is giving us a lot more context and story, it came out amazing!

Additionally, if you decide to switch to art content full time, I'm still interested in being there. :)

As someone who is undiagnosed (not for ADHD), I've learned that the more I try to be someone I'm not, so that I can fit all the unrealistic goals set for me, the more off track I get. It wasn't until I let myself 'fail' for all those people nagging me that I began to find a rhythm that works for me.

Personally, I'd rather watch you skip around between games than to force yourself through things. It's actually really, really important to give yourself grace. The more you try to force yourself into a box, the worse the struggle can get. Finding what works for you and reduces stress is key.

I feel like you'd go to the ends of the world for your friends, and that makes you a complete bad ass. I hope you can do the same for yourself too in the future.

Word count made my words confusing lmao;
I meant to say I'm loving my own OCs again. :')
Social media calls me out for my cringe.

www.deviantart.com/stash/23586e...
Full res since Bsky eats quality. :')

This image depicts two characters. One of them is an elf with blonde hair that appears to be confused, with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. The other character appears more human and has dark hair, with golden markings on his face. He seems a bit flustered.

This image depicts two characters. One of them is an elf with blonde hair that appears to be confused, with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. The other character appears more human and has dark hair, with golden markings on his face. He seems a bit flustered. There is mistletoe above them in this version.

#Shenpaint Happy Holidays! Hopefully this isn't too OOC. >3<
I wanted to thank you for being you and being excited about your OCs. It's awakened something feral in me. I went from drawing maybe 1 piece of art a month to having drawn 40 in three months. I love them again. Full res in comments. :')

I spent 15+ years of my life internalizing this same thought and staying quiet about the things I truly love-- And I say no. You can never talk too much about Birdhaven. Talking about what you care about has been... healing to listen to.