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Description
In 2014, I had one of my darkest days, and on that day, my favorite teacher gave me some advice that has stuck with me for nearly ten years now:

"Don't despair. Work."

My name is Aer (they/them) and I used to be very active here on DeviantArt when I first started out in digital art around 2013. I left that account behind many years ago but decided earlier this year that I wanted a fresh start. I fought with myself over which of my most recent drawings to upload here first, but in the end, this one won over all the rest.

Each year since 2014 (with a few exceptions) I have recreated this piece of the original characters that one of my dearest friends and I have created for a story we've written together every day since May 16, 2014. As an extra special touch, the constellations on Yuri's dress are the stars as they were above us that fateful night. Yuri (left), Zyn (middle), and Sasha (right) are so, so dear to me. I know them almost better than I know myself. I can't tell you how many times I've drawn these three. Looking back at the old ones, it's actually kind of insane to see how far I've come in technical skill over the last almost decade.

But, it's not been without struggle.

I almost lost them (and my dear friend who created them with me) while in an abusive relationship with someone else who was manipulating and gaslighting me.

While I was in that relationship, I lost almost all of my creative passion and my art suffered. In addition to my physical disabilities worsening, I became burnt out and just overall mentally and emotionally exhausted while in this relationship. Every time I sat down to create, I'd struggle to get anything down on the canvas. I struggled to find joy in something I once loved so dearly. Thankfully, I've been able to find that joy once again.

Heading into 2023, I have so much to be grateful for.

I'm grateful to be out of that toxic relationship. I'm grateful to be safe. I'm grateful for the people who have supported me in getting out and getting back on my feet. I'm grateful to the people who have commissioned me or donated to my gofundme to help me financially in this difficult time. I'm grateful for my wonderful and supportive team of medical professionals who are making sure I have the support I need, medically. I'm grateful for the success my small business has had recently, I've had the best two months since its foundation in 2020 thanks to MY hard work and dedication.

Through everything, the words have stuck with me.

Don't despair. Work.

Description
In 2014, I had one of my darkest days, and on that day, my favorite teacher gave me some advice that has stuck with me for nearly ten years now:

"Don't despair. Work."

My name is Aer (they/them) and I used to be very active here on DeviantArt when I first started out in digital art around 2013. I left that account behind many years ago but decided earlier this year that I wanted a fresh start. I fought with myself over which of my most recent drawings to upload here first, but in the end, this one won over all the rest.

Each year since 2014 (with a few exceptions) I have recreated this piece of the original characters that one of my dearest friends and I have created for a story we've written together every day since May 16, 2014. As an extra special touch, the constellations on Yuri's dress are the stars as they were above us that fateful night. Yuri (left), Zyn (middle), and Sasha (right) are so, so dear to me. I know them almost better than I know myself. I can't tell you how many times I've drawn these three. Looking back at the old ones, it's actually kind of insane to see how far I've come in technical skill over the last almost decade.

But, it's not been without struggle.

I almost lost them (and my dear friend who created them with me) while in an abusive relationship with someone else who was manipulating and gaslighting me.

While I was in that relationship, I lost almost all of my creative passion and my art suffered. In addition to my physical disabilities worsening, I became burnt out and just overall mentally and emotionally exhausted while in this relationship. Every time I sat down to create, I'd struggle to get anything down on the canvas. I struggled to find joy in something I once loved so dearly. Thankfully, I've been able to find that joy once again.

Heading into 2023, I have so much to be grateful for.

I'm grateful to be out of that toxic relationship. I'm grateful to be safe. I'm grateful for the people who have supported me in getting out and getting back on my feet. I'm grateful to the people who have commissioned me or donated to my gofundme to help me financially in this difficult time. I'm grateful for my wonderful and supportive team of medical professionals who are making sure I have the support I need, medically. I'm grateful for the success my small business has had recently, I've had the best two months since its foundation in 2020 thanks to MY hard work and dedication.

Through everything, the words have stuck with me.

Don't despair. Work.