Jenna's Tangled Mind

❞One person accepting you can make all the difference.❝ 

 2009-2019

He got sooo pissed. Started yelling at me and calling me a bitch and then told me “You can’t hit me! I’m a customer!”

I’m pretty well developed for my age, and this happened when it was hot as fuck outside so I was wearing shorts and a tank top.

“I’m not a worker, asshole! And you shouldn’t slap their asses too just because they can’t hit you back!” I’m pretty sure I said something to the effect although I probably am explaining it as if I was smooth and calm back then, but I was an embarrassed, mortified mess

And then I asked one of the waitresses to call the police. The guy was backpedaling and trying to apologize.

Fun fact: I’m 15. Like I said, very well developed for my age.

So I told him no, we were both going to wait here for the police to show up so I could report him for sexually abusing and harassing a minor.

He panicked and was even trying to bargain with me, but like fuck I was letting him off the hook. Think of how many other girls this asshole has probably harassed! I just have the power to do something about it.

Police got there and I had about at least 50 witnesses to attest to the fact a stranger, who was probably like 40, slapped my ass, when I am, in fact, a minor. Not to mention he yelled things at me when he thought I was a worker like “You can’t touch me! I’ll beat your ass, cunt!” Which I referenced as him threatening me too.

The rest of his friends were mortified and had tried to leave but I insisted that they have to stay because the cops might want statements from them. Whether or not that’s true, I don’t fuckin know, but the manager seemed to agree enough to tell them to wait for the police.

I had tried not to, but as some point when talking to one of the waitresses while waiting for the police, I started crying because of how violated I felt. It may have done good for the police came in to see my crying, I don’t know, but the waitresses were all so sweet and tried to comfort me when they had the chance.

It’s not a contest to see who can get by without them. It’s not cheating to look at a thing in order to know what the thing looks like.

USING REFERENCES FOR ART IS NOT ‘CHEATING’!!!

If you can draw/paint without references, great!  But if you need to use them, and feel that your art can be bettered by using references, please, use them!  This is one of the biggest tips I can give to artists, is USE REFERENCES! 

Anyone who would dare to attack someone for using references after ‘recognizing a pose’ is a dipshit, who doesn’t know a thing about art.

Do you know who else used references for their art?

Norman Rockwell

Alphonse Mucha

Gustav Klimt

Toulouse Lautrec

Vincent Van Gogh

Paul Gauguin

Edgar Degas

Gil Elvgren

Frida Kahlo

Pablo Picasso

Disney Studios

You can even use other artists work, it’s just a matter of respecting the artist. Just be very careful and ASK (if you can) before posting any art you made that directly references an artists work. If you cannot contact them, let people know or link to the reference you used. Do not claim the work is your own or let people assume it by not saying anything at all-that’s where the call out culture is. Emulating master works was REQUIRED for half my undergrad classes in painting- and my original work was so much better because I studied someone with more experience and knowledge of the craft.

Unless you have a very good grasp on your subject matter trying to draw everything from memory is just going to hinder and frustrate you.

Study the masters.

Study real life.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

REFERENCE

IT ISN’T CHEATING

for all the artists following me

draw fast. it’ll look messy for a long time but you’ll improve faster than if you spend 4 hours on every drawing

if you draw in pencil and have a habit of erasing all of your mistakes, try drawing in pen or marker. i know it’s scary but it’ll help in the long run (i’m speaking from experience)

try different methods and mediums but don’t worry about mastering any of them, just have fun

if you’re not rich, buy art supplies from the dollar store, not the art store (seriously. i go through a sketchbook about once a month and i’d rather spend $4 on one than $15)

there’s no wrong way to learn. you can copy other people’s art if you want to, just don’t post it

DO NOT worry about having a consistent style. do not. just draw however you want

if you want to make original characters then do it. don’t worry about if they’re original, or a good design, or if they have an accompanying story. make sonic ocs. do it. it’s fun and it’s not hurting anyone

try not to kill your back. stand up and stretch once in a while

make a folder and save all of your favorite arts for inspiration 

draw from life. draw your dog. draw your teachers. draw your desk. draw your own hands (seriously that’s the best way to get better at drawing hands)

in general, drawing from life or a photo is better than drawing from a diagram

draw whatever you want. draw youtubers if you like youtubers. draw undertale if you like undertale. when i was a kid i drew nothing but shadow the hedgehog and horses. everyone deserves to draw what they want without being mocked, and if people start making fun of you, block them and keep drawing

don’t expect to get any notes at first. don’t let it discourage you. if you want validation go show your art to your mom or your friends or your teacher or your grandma

take breaks, but don’t give up.

hey! it’s been over a year since i made this post and it’s still getting notes

i stand by most of what i wrote here; i might write a few points a bit differently now but i’m glad people have been encouraged by this post

“I gave up long ago Painting love with crimson flow Ran out of blood and hope So I paint you no more…”

@danielhowell

You know what I hear when I hear somebody say this?

I hear myself in fifth grade, asking my best friend if she would hate me if I were gay.

I hear her begging me not to be gay.

I hear myself telling my mother I think I’m transgender. I hear her telling me it is fine that I feel this way, but that she really doesnt think I should do anything about it. I hear her telling me not to say anything to my family.

I hear myself trying to justify away my sexuality. I hear myself bargaining with a god i dont believe in to please please let me be cis. I would have done anything.

I hear the cries of every child who cannot say they are gay anywhere and feel safe.

I hear the screams of the thousands of us silenced daily through force.

I hear the years of taunts and derogatory slurs.

I hear the voices of those who believe we should not exist. that we are freaks of nature and that we need to be cured.

So no, I wont shut up. I wont stop saying “I’m so gay.” I dont care if it annoys you.

Every time I say I’m gay it is an act of revolution. Every time I say I’m gay I’m exercising my right to be able to say it. A right that I wouldnt have had ten, twenty, thirty years ago. I am exercising my right to be me without facing execution.

If you think pride month is excessive, if you think that its rude for people to say they’re gay all the time, you should learn your place.

“But straight people dont go around bragging that they’re straight all the time.” Because you’ve never had to fight to be able to call yourself straight. You’ve never felt the pain to not be able to say you’re straight, and then the relief when you are finally able to.

call me friend but keep me closer

Drive me insane,

@danielhowell