Backstory Blog: Thanksgiving 2021

Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday. There’s no crazy shopping spree, there’s not a lot of decorations or obligations, and it doesn’t take place late at night. Just food, family, and gratefulness. And when you say good bye, Christmas is right around the corner so it doesn’t feel sad like you won’t see each other again for a long time.

Every year my family does Thanksgiving potluck style, where everyone volunteers to be in charge of one dish. I’m usually in charge of mashed potatoes. Everyone in the family knows how to cook, so Thanksgiving is always very high quality delicious. We catch up on things, we laugh together, we discuss Christmas plans and future goals and make predictions for the upcoming new year. My folks came down from their home on the coast and stayed four nights with us, so we had an immediate family Thanksgiving here at the old house then visited the rest of the family later in the week.

I showed my sexy Jinx animation to my parents. Exposing myself to my family helps sharpen my wits regarding why I draw what I draw. I want to make beautiful things I can be proud of, not just smut. But having a hand in “the dark world” gives my art an edge. It pushes my expressions to the limit. It shows I am experienced and worldly, aware not only of the clean and kosher but also some of the hidden and forbidden. My folks are proud and very encouraging and they motivate me to become the best artist I can be. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Then it gets interesting. We went to a little party hosted by one of my two crazy aunts on my Mom’s side of the family, the religious one with grandchildren. The more prudish ones in my family know me as “one of the silly nephews/cousins” and aren’t much aware of my artistic exploits. But my religious aunt’s sister, the other crazy aunt, has been opening up more and more about her past art life and odd experiences. I showed her the sexy Jinx animation in secret. She was very excited and enthusiastic about it and was further encouraging. She has no children and lives in a big house full of junk and has been battling depression and having an existential crises. I’m glad I can include her in my secret world in a small way and bring excitement to her life.

I’m so proud of my family. I want them to be proud of me, too. That’s why I work as hard as I do, studying anatomy and analyzing the psychology behind the art, raising the bar for my own expectations and using every minute of my free time to improve my art. My loving family deserves the best in me. I’m so thankful.