watching artists who are also chronically ill makes me feel so seen

Hi! Fellow disabled/chronically ILL (ill meaning cool) artist here, sometimes it so gets in the way but it’s so nice to see somebody else talking about it! Yay thank you!

2023 was a difficult year for many of us and I am projecting positive thoughts for 2024. I am focusing on the lessons that I learned this year...slow down, take better care of my health, stop putting everyone's needs before my own. Learning to say no is something that I hope to accomplish in the new year. You think at 67 years old I would have learned that one by now! I am sad that your year ended on a less than positive note and I hope that your health continues to improve.

as a chronically ill artist, you inspire me to document my own processes including when I struggle and force myself to take breaks/rest (and when my chronic illness forces me to). Us artists aren't machines that go 100% anyways, and showing that we have to rest for many reasons like illness, burnout, or art block is really important

Hey, I found your channel today and on a bad day for my chronic illness. Just wanted to tell you watching this video helped and felt like a warm hug. Thank you, keep doing you. ❤

Thank you for being true, I'm also chronically ill and I'm disabled and I'm trying to connect to the art community on KZfaq. And you're one of my favorites! (I don't know why but i keep getting unsubscribed to you and others) i love your art. I love your strength and your honesty! Thank you🥰🥹

"The fastest way to do something is to slow down." I don't know who said this, but when I first heard it, it really made me think and it has been a game changer for me. Thought I would share. 🤗❤✨

All my best to you, health and joy in this year of 2024❤😊😊😊

hello! i’m also a fellow chronically i’ll artist, it’s so nice to hear someone i look up to talking about it! it makes me feel so less alone, thank you ♥️

Thank you for sharing this. As a chronically ill disabled writer, there's often so much grief to deal with, and this helped to see. I hope your new year is all you want it to be.

I really enjoyed your video! You‘re great. I‘m a fountain pen freak. I can imagine you‘d enjoy using waterproof inks like Rohrer & Klinger SketchInks or Octopus Draw & Write Inks. Those are great in Platinum Preppy fountain pens. They cost around 5$ each and can be eyedroppered. The special thing about them is the Slip&Seal cap. The pens won’t dry out because of the sealing cap and that’s why they’re great with waterproof ink.

Thank you for talking about the feelingz of chronic illness. I especially appreciated the bit about the discovery journey - like, how chronically ill am I? Space and time are precious; I’m glad we’re taking them. xoxo - Lindsey 💌

Dang I know there's a crazy deep (desperate?) emotional process probably not pictured, but amazing how you flow w your illness...not like it gives us too much choice. I find the worst part the relativity of illness you talk about...the how not normal am I? part. And how much I push myself because I forget that I can't mirror energy of people around me. Sweet library friend giving you awesome goodies!! Hope you feel recovered and renewed soon❤

to societies standards I am a disabled mentally ill girl well I am 44 this year. my mind is missing chemicals that help my emotions run. . however 5 years of no symptoms and they found the right combination of meds for me. . hurray 2024 is another rad year. only can move up I am also an artist. I like painting with needle and thread, and other mediums. I too am going to start my own channel soon to share my delights with the world. I totally enjoy your channel.

Appropriating midwest male culture and tracing the dog🤣 I love your artwork, authenticity and wit! That stawberry bag is fab. I've been dealing with post (mis)-treatment chronic neurobiological lyme & coinfections and neurodivergence for years. Congrats on your success as an artist, it's very inspiring. I am disabled and hope to get an art business up and running. It's hard to figure out how to manage it fiscally, with SS restraints and the unexpected nature businesses can bring. And I relate so much with how much am I able to do. You are doing a lot and so well from my perspective. I hope to do more with my youtube channel this year, that is my intention. I love how supportive your community around you is, especially at the library and your friends visiting your studio.

As a chronically ill person, I too get sick every single time after a big 'push'. So every time I have a longer break, during holidays and after things like going through exams, I'm sick. My doctor explained it to me some years back, but it's basically your body getting back to 'normal' and it thinks that it's okay to fight whatever (less threatening) pathogens you've amassed while stressed. So basically you have caught the bug and are sick when stressed but your body can't fight it while stressed. Nothing 'woo woo'. Here's to better 24 and more happy memories! ❤️

I hope you have an awesome 2024. 2023 was HARD for me, but I'm hopeful it's gonna get better. I totally relate to that whole chronically ill person/am I doing enough/should I do more or less/how does this even work. I'm sure eventually we all find our stride with it though. Hang in there!

This not knowing if you had to do different or if it’s random is the mind fick of chronic pain that really brings me down because we are bombarded with “fixes” like if it was your responsibility or fault to be always handling it and if you did you would be cured

it's good to hear that you are recovering, wishing you and your partner the best in 2024!!

2023 was absolutely wild for me, how was it for you??

I can relate to this. I’m chronically I’ll as well and I feel so far behind on everything. It makes the holidays all the more challenging.

I relate to this so much ❤

I like your vlog very chill and funny

I hope that the start of 2024 is better than the end of 2023! I really hate that it's been such a rough go for you and I'm grateful you have a wonderful partner to help you through. Also, I love your style so much! It reminds me of Spinelli in the best way with the lil pigtails and the micro beanie 😊 I've been wanting a chartreuse one, myself but I refuse to learn how to crochet 😅

I’d love one buy your art book but with captions and descriptions under or the other pages.

The Derwent charcoal tinted watercolors smudge some and will lift with an eraser once dry. It may or may not be the reason I don’t use them very often 😁

as a very mentally ill artist without access to health care 2023 have proved that rock bottom is actually deeper than you would think. by this point we're just rawdogging life like god intended, here's to 2024 to be less miserable. hope you have a speedy recovery and an easy year

So thankful you are ok Kristen. I’m rooting for you, as I’m sure everyone here is. Aiming for nothing but positive vibes in 2024. Even though you weren’t feeling well, you still made a video for us, and for that I am sincerely grateful 🤗

thank you for this. asking for help is tough, it's like an acknowledgement of something you maybe haven't had the time or space to mourn the loss of properly? anyway, i always get excited when your videos come up!

Very happy youtube brought me to you today :) I’m diagnosed with UCTD nearing lupus and I struggle with the “can I keep up” frustration nearly everyday with the persistent reminder that I am slower to run/quicker to tire (metaphorically and physically) than everyone else in my life and learning to ask for help when I need it, and even when I don’t. I’ve actually just recently accepted living alone for 7 years has been great, but no longer serves me and will be moving in with friends. And what a relief it is to know I don’t have to do it all myself. I hope you have the rest your body craves soon ❤

Thank you for this -- you and your art are beautiful. And what gorgeous scenery around you. Wow.

So great to see an honest representation of what it’s like trying to forge a path as an artist while dealing with health problems. Sometimes it feels like you’re not getting anywhere! But you did make progress even if it doesn’t feel like it. And sharing it helps so many of us ❤ Have a wonderful 2024! X

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2024!

sending good vibes to your 2024 xoxo

Thank you for the comments on chronic illness! I am chronically ill and have a very intensive job (Wildland firefighter), so I have to take extra care to match others. So I relate!

Wishing you a solid recovery from the infection & lots of what you need in 2024 ❤️

It’s so tough out there, I’m feeling the end of the year struggle. Sending good vibes for 2024! 💕

Sending healing, happiness, abundance and peace 💙🕊️

it‘s midnight where i live, and starting the new year with your video is definitely a good start :)

Thanks for posting this! All the best for 2024

sending you lots of love ❤

✨💜✨Happy 2024!

I saw the Harmons sushi and it brought back all the feels. I loved that place

So funny. I just thought of you and started watching some of your old videos and Voilà - there is a new one. :-) Love your content!! Hope you feel better soon.

I hope you feel better and continue with good health. All the best to you

All the best for 24 Kristen! Hope you are feeling better and are able to go ahead with your plans. Love to see Noras teef! Lol! ❤

Nice to hear your thoughts! 💜 hope you’re feeling better

Yo! I had to pause halfway through the vid….it’s been a little while since I’ve watched and it’s wonderful to see how comfortable you are in front of the camera now; your personality is POPPING 😎✌🏼💃🏽. That being said (and finishing the video), take care of yourself! Seriously, make it a priority intention for the new year, it sounds like that’s just what you need and want, yet still aren’t willing to plan for it *36 yo dog mom voice lol* Happiest New Year Vibes!

Found your channel somewhat recently, and I get so excited when u post now :)

Happy New Year! Wishing you the best in 2024!

Love your work and your mail art.

Happy new year, wishing you the best in 2024! Excited to follow along and watch your vids! Who are some of your favorite KZfaqrs to watch? I’d love to find more artists etc

I was SO excited when this video popped up in my recs! I'm a disabled and chronically ill artist and I have yet to see someone like me on youtube. Subscribing!

Well shit, what an end to 2023 for you🫤I’m so sorry that what should’ve been a minor surgery turned into you getting sick, hospitalized, and having to cancel a trip to see your family and other big plans. There’s nothing to say except that it 100% sucks. And you’re so not being woo-woo, you’re absolutely onto to something: A lot of folks tend to have a total collapse in energy and then their physical and mental health suffers after exerting so much into their work/school/ or a traumatic event. It’s a form of burnout. Took me years to learn it. And as someone with chronic illness, obviously you know it better than most people. And I cannot imagine how frustrating that feels. You wanna do all the stuff but your immune system is still recovering. And you’re young. I’m pushing 50 and have been really lucky to have a strong immune system and I don’t take it for granted because I have too many loved ones who have to be so conscientious about how they spend their energy. They cannot afford to f around and find out, ya know? Take care and let’s hope 2024 is a better friend to us all❤

Hi I recently discovered you and love your videos ❤ you are living my dream life. I really need to draw&paint more this year so i can be better 😊

stunning vlog, Happy new year 😊😊

My back hurts from 2023😂😂😂but otherwise a good year~ Hope you'll have a safe and healthy new year! Love the outcome of the skull painting on grass 🤧❤🎉

Love the grow up comment ..

That teenie weenie beanie reference made my day 🤣🤣 I couldn’t stop laughing.

super cool video

The color of your beanie is perfection! What yarn did you use? I'm also in love with your life drawing sketches and am super impressed that you're able to use wet media.

Thank you for such a relatable video 💕. Where did you get your sticker storage?:organizer?

do you have a link to the pattern you used for that teeny weeny beanie??? i love your look at the start of the vlog 😊

I HAD to pause the video a minute in to ask how you made this beanie? Did you follow a pattern? It's so cute! (anyways, back to the video I go!)

Hi I'm a chronically ill artist too. I'm not physically ill but I struggle with mental health issues. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and ADHD since I was a small child. I have been in an out of the hospital a few times in my life and I have to take sooo much medication everyday to be able to function. Being in the hospital is really not fun for anyone. I hope you have a speedy recovery! I love your art videos so much! They inspire me to take my art to the next level. I really wish I could be a full time artist and actually make money from my art like you do. I hope that someday I'll be able to accomplish my dreams! Thank you for inspiring me!

Louise Fletcher, UK artist asks this - not what you want to accomplish in 2024 - but how do you want to feel in 2024? And how are you going to do that! Check out Louise Fletcher.

The look your friend in the Turkish coffee shop is giving the camera makes me very, very nervous and I think I just got a little more gay