Hello there, dear deviants!

I know that I have been so very absent these past few months.  For that I apologize.  Though there has been a great lack of action, (submissions, comments, and the like), I have certainly been here in heart...and for sure lurking all the fabulous art that has been showing up!  (Well done you sexy beasts, you!!!)

As for my reasons why, I choose not to go into great detail at the moment.  I'll give you a brief rundown, and let you make what you will of the rest.  Just know that I have not, and doubt I ever could, abandon this community.  I love the strength you all lend to my heart and my art, and the inspiration I gather from all my fellow artists (read: awesome-ass peeples!!)

Soooo...a few months ago, (Jan. 4th to be exact), my sister had a left-hemisphere stroke.  She has always been, and will forever be, my greatest friend and supporter.  She taught me to embrace my weak inner artist and feed it constantly until it grew strong and fruitful.  She scolded me for inhibiting myself in the early stages, and lifted me when I grew beyond those inhibitions and began experimenting with more powerful and controversial forms of art.  She was, simply put, an amazing being who helped me grow into who I am today.

If you couldn't tell by the past tense of my previous statements, my beloved sister passed away.  At the far too young age of 41, and after 3 very long, hard weeks of re-learning speech and simple movements, (like feeding herself and washing her face with her one good side), Secora suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.  After 2 weeks by her side at the hospital, painting her toes and brushing her hair, I finally traveled back to Los Angeles to be with my own life once again with all intention to return for her birthday on February 19th.  Sadly, 3 days after coming home my beautiful sister died.  The call with the news nearly killed me...and I haven't quite recovered since.

I put down my camera.  My tablet.  Essentially, my life.
I am working on getting back into things.
It is a painfully slow process.  But, I am certain this is what she wishes for me.

She left me money to go back to school.  And, it is going insanely well.
My camera is cradled in my arms again...and every photo I take is in her honor.

I will be back, just as strong as ever...perhaps even stronger.  Because sweet, fierce Secora would have it no other way.
There is so much more to the story that I just don't have the strength to recount...but, the rest is unnecessary.

So much love to my dear sibling...my mentor...my (literal) relative muse.
R.I.P. Secora Eileen

xoxoxoxo