The Importance of Imaginary Friends: Growing Up as a Furry Artist.

I have been drawing these two for fifteen years (since 2005) and I did not learn jack about how to be in a relationship from them (thanks guys).

See link: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/9761668/

Experiencing relationships and friendships in real life definitely has challenges and difficulties than the one I made with the imaginary. However, it is thanks to them that I was able to attempt making friendships in my own real life since senior year of high school then onwards. And later on, a desire to connect and better connect with others, and fall in love. Going through high school and college had been really lonely years for me as an introvert, but a pencil and paper is the key to have a glimpse into another world and reality.

These two have been an amalgamation of photo references from the inter webs and the occasional sketches and the rare vivid imagination, and so because of that, I was not really prepared for the difficulties of making and maintaining friendship/relationships. Like.... what do you do when you get into an argument? Or something as simple as what kind of meal will you have together?

However, their companionship and existence help me get started on the journey with knowing myself, putting me on my journey as an artist, and most importantly, learning to love myself then learning to struggle to connect with others. Even though now I am able to make friends and be in a relationship, I still find myself coming back to see and draw them again. I think nowadays, even though I no longer need them, I acknowledge that they remind me that being in a friendship/relationship is forever an ongoing journey of self discovery.

It is the year 2020, and I find comfort in my imaginary friends, bringing the best in myself during these stressful times. And so because of that, I am thankful.