Dolly's December Catchall!

[autumnrainrunaway]

Who: Dolly, you, and the whole Yule season...

What: An in general Catchall with a side of quests should they come up :'3c

When: Throughout all of December!

Where: Bottlecap Bay and some mild wilderness (we're off to get a tree~)

Warnings: None at the moment, but will update if something crops up.

Comments

[autumnrainrunaway]

"Where do I begin? It started around the same time I started learning how to sew. It was liberating, I could express myself in ways that I couldn't before and visualize the stories I heard growing up in embroideries. It became a pretty big part of myself, I couldn't imagine being away from art."

This really was a special interests topic that Dolly didn't hesitate delving into as she explains to Mayaka. It was pretty exciting to talk to another artist and be able to share this information with.

"When I did start college, what made me decide to study art was that warmth it brought whenever I made something and the potential of getting to try new crafts that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to do. Every so often, we'd get a visiting artist that'd set up a workshop to try out their craft for others to try out. I honestly think my favorite was the one that was into reviving the Dada art movement."

1/2

[sharpjustice]

She... gets it. She totally gets it!

The Sneasel listens intently as Dolly explains what her embroideries mean to her. She can easily see the connections to her own feelings about drawing manga. Mayaka can't imagine who she'd be without her favourite stories and authors influencing her as a kid, either. To be in an environment like Dolly's college where she could learn about different art movements and explore her own art seems like an unattainable dream.

Maybe because it is.

2/2

[sharpjustice]

As much as Mayaka loves manga, and has dedicated most of her free time since elementary school to reading, learning and drawing manga, she's never been truly happy with anything she's created. It simply can't compare to the work of the greats that have inspired her. And when you know that you don't have the talent to be that good, what are you supposed to do?

Mayaka keeps her head down and continues drawing anyway, because she's stubborn like that. But sooner or later, reality will catch up, won't it?

"They're pretty strict about art college applications, aren't they? You've got to be... really good to get in," she says this casually, her voice faltering only slightly.

[autumnrainrunaway]

"It isn't always about the level, a good chunk of it is the motivation and willingness to strive to improve as well as learn. When they go over your portfolio, they're looking to see if you have room to improve and expand if accepted in."

Dolly has seen that look before one too many times in her past. It's something all young artists go through when they get close to college age. Questioning their skills or if they're even good enough compared to others who've been doing it for a very long time. Dolly would know, she had it happen too when she first started sewing and embroidering.

"And I honestly think you have what it takes to get accepted, you have that drive to thrive in the field and believe me, they're going to love what you show them." Dolly goes to reassures Mayaka, she's pretty confident that Mayaka would be a good shoe in for the Arts program she applies to.

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka holds on to the hope that what Dolly says is true. It's not a comforting kind of hope. Rather, it feels desperate, and almost foolish.

"That's kind of you to say, Dolly-chan, but you've haven't even seen my drawings yet." This may come across a bit blunt, but there is no malice in Mayaka's words.

To illustrate her point, she decides to share this fact, which still stings: "Of all the short manga I've drawn and submitted to magazine competitions, only one has been published once so far."

[autumnrainrunaway]

Oh, the competitions, that's what's doing it. Dolly listens patiently as Mayaka explains before finally answering with a question. "May I ask, what did you think about the one that was published compared to the others that didn't get in?"

There was no judgement on the manga, Dolly viewed it as a very valid form of art and expression. Goodness, it did bring back memories of Leonardo De Vinci and Dr. Seuss, both of which didn't see success until much later into their lives. Given the sounds of Mayaka, she's still pretty young and that was simply the first stepping stones into the art field.

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka tucks her claw under her chin.

"Maybe, it was because the story was a bit more unique? I spent so long trying to come up with something that would stand out. But after that, whatever new manga I submitted didn't get published, and I worked just as hard... no, even harder on those."

She turns to the Sylveon and declares: "Some masterpieces are born as masterpieces."

Mayaka thinks about her favourite self-published manga: A Corpse by Evening, created by a pair of seniors from her high school to sell at the annual culture festival. It'd been a shock to learn that those very seniors decided to stop drawing manga after releasing such an amazing piece of work, even though they were so good at it. Why? Well, because it was just a fun side hobby for them. It wasn't something they wanted to dedicate their lives to.

It was the ones they'd inspired with their work who wanted to continue drawing manga, even though they knew they could never match up to a masterpiece like A Corpse by Evening. Fate was kind of cruel that way.

"... I don't think I have what it takes to make a masterpiece, but still, I want to try."

[autumnrainrunaway]

That was a problem, Dolly couldn't disagree on that one. Having the first one get recognition but then the others being ignored would definitely cause heartache.

Masterpieces are born as masterpieces? Dolly wondered where Mayaka would learn something like that from. That would definitely hurt someone's passion for creating. Maybe Mayaka needs an inspiration?

"I'm not sure what your genre preference is, but, how would you feel about taking inspiration here in the Pokemon World? Sometimes unforeseen situations end up being a really good muse for writing and character designing. Maybe this is what you need for your art?"

Dolly hopes this might be helpful, it was suddenly living amongst humanity so long ago that brought inspiration to her own work. Perhaps, maybe this is something that may help Mayaka to? Dolly goes to monitor Maya's reaction, little jellybean toes crossed that it works.

[sharpjustice]

Mayaka listens intently to Dolly's words, blinking slowly as she considers this new perspective. This is something that hasn't crossed her mind before, and she isn't opposed to the idea. She's always been more of a glass half-empty person, so it's refreshing to see their current situation as something that might help her improve and gain inspiration.

"I've never really gone outside my bubble, now that I think about it."

She stares at the Sylveon, wondering how much she must have gone through to be able to give such sound advice.

"I think I've got a lot to learn from you, Dolly-chan."

[autumnrainrunaway]

Oh Mayaka, you do not want to know the answer to how many Dolly went through, it'd be a whole semester right there. Dolly, on the other hand, was happy to hear that. She didn't mind teaching and was something Dolly could do given the situation.

Even better, Mayaka was receptive to advice, that one was already a great indicator for the art field.

"I'm more than happy to help, I honestly wished I had someone too when I first started college. It's one of the reasons why I volunteered as a student guide back on campus." There's a soft smile as Dolly spoke as she turns to Mayaka to change the subject a bit.

"So, what story do you think you'd like to do with the Pokemon World as an inspiration?"

(good to wrap? 🎁)

[sharpjustice]

"No clue yet. Maybe inspiration will hit once I get to know this place and the Pokemon better." The Sneasel says with a shrug.

And on that note...

"Why don't we continue our walk?"

She hops off the bench and waits for the Sylveon to accompany her. Before today, Mayaka had felt pretty lonely in Bottlecap Bay -- even though she's made some friends, she hasn't talked much about this side of her. She's not made it easy, given how guarded she is about art. It's always been an isolating journey, not wanting to share this embarrassing hobby except with close friends, and even going so far as to quit the Manga Club to pursue her ambitions seriously (that's a whole other story).

It's comforting, to know someone who she can talk to openly about this. She wonders what they'll talk about next.