1. Who are you?

For the best answer,

you can watch this film I’ve created for coping with the question:

For the abbreviated answer and my artist statement, you could read the “about” page on my website.

For the most succinct and most legible answer to give to presumably impatient people or incurious minds:

I am a queer “Chinese-American” anarchist artist and researcher, who works in experimental animation/film, poetry, drawing, and painting.

2. Why are you drawing “anarchist animals”?  Can you do (insert animal of choice) for the next part of the series?
 

I am an artist. I am an anarchist. I make anarchist art at times. This happens to include depicting our fellow creatures who share our earth, fighting for joy, freedom, love, and the ecology. I do 18 to 20 illustrations per animal fellow and then move on. As for the anarchist animal series, I host (approximately) a monthly ranked choice voting poll. Links will be in my instagram story, mastodon, or twitter. I put this link in my linktree as well.

3. Where can I procure prints of your work? Do you sell any of the originals? Can you make and sell (stickers, clothing, postcards, jewelry, booklets etc.)?
 

My online store is “AiridescenceArt” on etsy. It is on my linktree, as well as linked on my website.  I do not sell any of the originals as of the current date. I would like to branch out and make stickers, but I’d have to have a higher income to be able to afford that venture. Clothing and other objects are  something of a future project that I am currently unable to afford or offer. I have been considering it as a possibility if certain criteria (namely, financial, but also how busy I am and health circumstances) is met. I make below the poverty line and don’t really need to make much more, nor do I expect to make more  for the remainder of my life.

4. I saw your projects with Anark and Zoe Baker. Are you going to do more collaborations?

Yes.

Check my Patreon page or youtube concerning film announcements. 

Projects are on hold while certain aspects of my life and work process and health treatments are ongoing.

5. What medium(s) do you use in your Anarchist Animal Illustration Series? How do you animate or create your short experimental films?

I typically use prismacolor and fabercastle colored pencils, along with some pen. I utilize hand done rotoscoping with physical materials/drawings and stop motion techniques. The programs I use are dragonframe and adobe premiere.

6. May I repost your work?
May I use one of the anarchist animals in …?
 

Yes, you may! I’d just like a credit or perhaps, to link me. Feel free to use it on your personal social media for banners or profile pictures. If it has anything to do with anarchist organizing and causes, you are free to use any of my work as well, with credit.

If it is for a business venture, an NFT, to train AI, to sell for personal gain, or to pass the work off as your own, I do not consent to that.

For using my art for tattoos, I’d appreciate a tip for it on Venmo or CashApp @airidescence. 
 

7. Can I commission you for work or a piece?

If there is a commission opening, I will update my website’s commission pages and on the various social media platforms I am on. If there is a spot open, you may fill out a form for a commission request on my website. All commission related questions and rules will be relegated to the page on my website. If I accept the commission request, I will inform you via the contact that you provided me.
 

8. Why won’t you answer me on… (insert social media platform/storefront)? Why haven’t you addressed… (insert issue or concern)?

I am a very reclusive individual and disabled with fluctuating cognition and memory issues. I do not have the consistent spare spoons (spoonie theory/metaphor) to constantly engage online or in person. I do not spend much time online and I live a very assiduous life as well. I am preoccupied with my own organizing efforts, my own small but vibrant joys, recovering from exertions, my own educational goals, my artistic practice, managing my disability, and having time for my loved ones.

I no longer really look at or answer direct messages, comments, or the like, on social media. I have hundreds of such requests everyday and it is unfeasible for me to get back to that many people. Additionally, as for concerns or addressing a wide variety of posts or topics or current events— the truth is that I cannot stay on top of everything, nor can I spend enough time to properly research everything. As someone with a “platform” it would be irresponsible for me to report or make art on topics that I am inadequately knowledgeable on and I have learned this lesson previously. It is not out of disinterest or cruelty that I do not address every single person who approaches me. It is that I am a disabled person who has a busy life outside of these spaces and I have my own physical and mental health to prioritize, as well as that of my in-person community. Even if I wasn’t an individual with a disability, this would still be an enormous ask of me. It is simply not feasible.

(Some people make the recommendation that I hire someone to help me. I won’t do this for several reasons. First, I can’t afford it— I make just enough to get by. Secondly, even if I did have the money, it would probably be towards improving my health, or towards my organizing work. Thirdly, I do not feel comfortable hiring someone to “work” for me. I don’t want to be someone’s boss if I can help it, as an anarchist. )

Regardless, I promise that I will do my best to rectify mistakes or errors I have made, as a growing and learning sentient being such as yourself.

Thank you for your patience and compassion.

9. When will my prints/stickers that I ordered arrive?

As for etsy concerns, I will do my utmost to keep up—but please be aware that I may not always be able to execute on time perfectly. Depending on my fluctuating health circumstances, my capabilities for social endeavors and other tasks vary.

On very good stretches of time and good days, I can get back very quickly. During times in which I am sick (or times when I make the mistake of overexerting) on top of chronic fatigue, debilitating brain-fog, dizziness, memory lapses, and the occasional migraine spell— I am unable to be prompt.  I’m hoping that with treatment I’m undergoing that I can at least mitigate these effects and allow myself to be more prolific in my work, as well as be more responsive. 

My new schedule is as follows, provided I do not have a current dip in my health:

Post office trips are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Once at the post office, it takes approximately 3-4 days domestically (United States)  after the date I deliver to my local post office. International shipping is highly variable and I do not have control over that once the package leaves my humble abode.

For health/life updates (so you know if it’s a good time to order something from me), I usually post on instagram stories or twitter. 

Thank you incredibly for your patience, understanding, and compassion.