DOAD (Dreams OF A Dishpig)

I am the only person I Know that will happily say that they were thankful for the Covid 19 lockdowns.

The down time allowed me a moment to realise just how bad my mental health really was. 

For the past Ten year I have been drawing to treat my mental health. It was the only thing I could control.

So once Covid hit I bought a light box, and started working on an idea, that I would yoyo on and off over the years, as I tried to figure out, "Who do I want to be when I grow up?"

At the Age of 30 I was only starting to really figure that out.

'Dreams Of A Dishpig' is the fantasised memoirs of my time as a Dishwasher, who dreamed of quitting her job, and following her true passion. But remained where she was due to the safety of a place, time, and job, that was simple to do, even if my darkness had me cutting open my own throat as I yelled at my co-worker for leaving me to work the dish pit alone on a game night, meaning we would not get out until 2am the next morning.

Many people are surprised when I tell them that as I washed the same plates, Pans, and human sized containers for the thousandth time, I would daydream the shifts away. I would be anywhere I mentally could be, aside from that pit. Anyone I told found it unbelievable I could dream in such an environment. all it made me do was question if these people ever had a thought.

In 2018, I would attend an independent school call the production art department, PAD for short. to try and hone my precious art skills. I made to the end of that year. It was an experience I would not use again for years.

Come 2021, I would Attend the SAE institute in a multimedia course in hopes of figuring out what I COULD do with my much loved drawing skills. Come the end of Year I would Attend JMC Academy to  study 2D animation with the thinking, "Its just drawing it'll be easy."

Coming into my 4th trimester at JMC, I have come to understand I know nothing at all, have done nothing at all, lack the skills to know anything, and have people younger than my with a better understanding and skill set then me.

Let it be known none of my lack of knowledge and skills are not any of the teachers fault. I have learning difficulties that have held me back since I entered school in kindy. The teachers I've had have in fact helped my dum brain to think a little clearer.

I point out my short coming and imposter syndrome as I realise its a part of my story.

the Story of DOAD (Dreams of a Dishpig) Started as simple imagines like journaling to put down on the page what was in my head. Something I wanted out. the story, if there even was one, changing every time I put pencil to paper. There was never a set story or world I was working with.

But there were always a collection of characters.

The Dishpig, Heroine, the lead, the person that is meant to help tell the story, but is always tired and wondering, why bother.

Redtongue, once a loyal thing, now a loyal twist. a nightmare reminding the Dishpig she's not alone but not in the best of company.

The Dragon Lady V, the Dishpigs true form, her truest self. the woman as powerful and wild as a dragon.

If only the Dishpig could reach her.

There is Also Barklor, A friend that got himself taken away.

and Miss Dream a representation of personification of a dream and questioning sexuality.

As I journeyed through my years at JMC I have explored the story/idea in many new ways. 

One being a comic.

After working so hard on this comic for twelve week, I knew I wanted to make this story. 

There is still so much to tell.

But I realise there's a problem.

I'm not sure Where it starts, and I am sure I'm not near the end yet.

So for now.

DOAD is a fantasize Journaling story about a Dishpig who was once a dragon, but lost that part of her after losing a close friend that drove her forward.

Then one day the world stood still, and the Dishpig looked to the ever changing sky once more. Deciding to try and be a dragon once more, but one for herself.