So I was dinking browsing around on DA, as per usual, commenting MORE than usual and I found this pic by *Altalamatox, an artist I've watched for around a year but never given many comments to, awaiting me in my inbox. (My bad. I'm trying to improve, honest!)



Her art is fantastic. You've gotta love the giant, proud grin. She even links to a sweet explanation of how she makes it so awesome. Reflected light is a key component and something I'll certainly try. She even has anthros and monsters strewn about her gallery. Lot's of fun! If you're looking for a few chuckles check out her series of 'brainspews'.

But what interests me most, and what I really want to talk about is the character's attitude, as described in the artist's comments. I'll copy it here for convenience(But still check out the pic, you lazy potatocouch!).

By *Altalamatox:

"I've had a couple comments that master shapeshifter Morgan Daubenmire is rarely spotted in my gallery without that crooked crocodile smile on his face. This's only because he is rarely seen without a smile.

Morgan is in a constant state of being terribly proud of himself. And tipsy with power. On top of that, he's always been one of those high-on-life people. In my head, that's his defining characteristic, beyond all else, that he's in love with being alive. Maybe Benjamin or Jackie could begin to compare to him.

He takes an interest in everything. If there are sights he wants to see them, if there are cities he needs to climb all over them, if there are baskets he needs to curl up in them. He never stops moving, never stops fiddling with things. He is annoyingly friendly. He loves storms and wind, climbing trees, falling out of trees, stories, shiny things, laughing, making other people laugh, good clean mud, and flight. He's so infatuated by the world that at times it's all he can do to stand there like an awe-struck idiot with his eyes wide, breathless. The world, however, is not sure what it makes of Mister Daubenmire."

This is a personality worth envying. I'm not a master shapeshifter, but  I've been trying--in vain, mind you --to learn to love life no matter what it throws me. To enjoy the rain as much as the shine, to enjoy flicking spiders as much as picking dandelions. It's not an easy thing.

Sometimes trouble rears its ugly head and it's almost impossible to see the cutesie ears past the dripping fangs. But during those times when I've had the self-control to look for them, they've been there, and worth the effort too.

I find that peer-pressure is one of the worst issues for many, as it used to be for me, preventing them from doing what they want. There was a time when I would've been shy about poking honeybees in public or car-gazing(Like star-gazing, but with different colors!) mainstreet at 2AM.

But here's the thing: It's my(your) life! I'm going to live it! Some may mock, others only criticize, but when it comes down to it, their opinion doesn't matter. It's based on smoke and mirrors. They don't know what you're going through, nor care. They say what they say for their own benefit, not yours.

I try hard to increase my self-esteem so that I can withstand taunts and mockery. I urge you to do the same. Take the extra time to put something special into your next artwork, even if nobody else notices. Then tell yourself how much it improved your work. Or if it didn't turn out so well be honest with yourself about your mistake. Confidence isn't only having no faults, it's understanding that you make mistakes, but promising to do better next time.

Be confident, be free, be happy. That's where my train's tracks lead.

What about you guys? What do you find helps you to enjoy life to the fullest? Anything at all, whether it's a method, a thought, a pose/poem/book/bug or song.