For those who may not have heard,  yark-wark suddenly passed away a few days ago of a pulmonary aneurysm. Further details here: https://twitter.com/Astrozerk04/sta.....63899035062274

Yark was a friend and a repeat customer of mine for over a decade. I was excited for how the sketch for her piece was turning out and reached out on Discord over the weekend to see if she wanted to upgrade to a colored sketch (all of her characters are so vibrant and I honestly thought it'd be a waste to not have this one in color). I contacted her just before midnight, and figured she'd get back to me the next day. When she didn't, I figured she probably had to work that next morning. But then that day passed, and the next day passed... She'd always been quick to respond for as long as I'd known her, and it was a bit odd, but I thought maybe she was just working weird hours this week. I found out the news around 6:30am Tuesday morning.

This was originally intended as a black and white sketch, but I didn't want the last commission I'd ever receive from her to be devoid of color. She passed away before even seeing the rough for this piece. For me, as an artist, it's a new kind of sadness. Working on something for someone who will never see it--who can never see it... It's an (and I hate to use this word but I honestly don't know how else to describe it) 'exquisite' sadness, one I never, EVER want to feel again.

...I'm afraid to move her Trello card to the 'COMPLETE' column. Once I move it there, that's it. It really truly becomes the last commission I'll ever do for her. I also need to cancel her patron status on the PoL patreon, but the only available option is to block her. It doesn't feel right, but I know I have to do it. I've never met her in person, but it's been a couple of days of crying, not really eating, and if I can feel this affected for having never known her IRL, I can only imagine the pain of her family and friends who did. We were just geeking out over Digimon two weeks ago. It still doesn't feel real...

I wish I could have had this for her. I wish she could still be here. But, seeing the outpouring of so many people whose lives she and her art and her streams have touched is really something. I won't ever forget her.

I'll miss you, Yikkles. Rest well.