Join Lucy and Sid in Their Creative Fight

Hi, Lucy and Sid here.

We are two mentally struggling artists who have just moved to Jacksonville, Florida.

It’s astounding how much you can and cannot accomplish in a state as big as Florida.

There hasn’t been one day we haven’t been striving to improve our well being and/or our careers.

Sid:

I’m an aspiring artist that moved to Florida for more opportunities, to further my craft, and to grow as an artist. I’ve been doing makeup professionally for years and I’m still learn more every day. I’ve always been into painting, whether that be my face, a canvas, or even my own nails. I’ve also been improving my singing (on the low), despite the harsh negativity I received from others growing up. Makeup has always been my main focus and my biggest dream is to be a full time makeup artist. While I’m here, I’d love to build my network and do event work to add more content to my portfolio.

Due to the lack of continuous contract work, getting back on track, hasn’t been possible. So I’ve been unable to provide the funding that goes into my own business license as a MUA (Makeup Artist).

On top of this, my mental health has been all up and down, all over the place. Whether that was the realization of my PTSD and my trauma, or the constant energy around me that were reminders of my trauma and PTSD. The first job I had, I had to leave due to the unprofessional and triggering environment. I, now, work part time at one of the most wonderful accepting environments which I need in a job to succeed. That being said, the job selection here is very small. Very few businesses hire without specific training qualifications or licenses, very few don’t require experience. The flexibility is not common at all, and a lot of these jobs do not provide a livable income even if they are susceptible with how I am mentally.

Lucy:

We didn’t know that we’d end up here (financially), we only knew we’d end up here physically. I personally was not prepared to need any financial assistance ever, but especially not through gofundme. Everyone needs food, water and shelter. Sadly, in this world, the basic needs of a living human being have to be paid for in endless sweat once you become independent. I believe everyone has a little bit of sympathy in their hearts. I’ve always been a really sensitive kid, which we eventually found out was severe anxiety and ADHD. I don’t know how two seemingly stable girls can make life here worth living but we do it everyday. Things don’t always line up the way you want them to though. Bills can creep up behind you when you least expect it, while other times your car can break down out of nowhere. Emergencies sprout up and we covered them the best we could with the the best wages we had. I’ve never lived outside of Kansas (or Nebraska) and it’s not terrible to say, I was incredibly ill prepared and maybe a little naive. But I knew I couldn’t live through another year of winter there. My seasonal depression became so much worse after the Pandemic started and with most of my family on the east coast, I thought I would feel more connected to my roots. Jacksonville is a crazy cool city, in the sense that I get to go cool off in a gas station while I’m filling up my car with gas (AGAIN).

I wanted to follow the gut feeling I had to move here and right as I start finding the bright side in the chaos, my debt and rent spiked back up. My stress levels also went through the roof as I watched the news and listen to the women in my life cry over their, and my, uncertain futures. It makes you want to stay in bed forever, or at least till everyone’s quiet. Ever since 2016, I’ve felt that way. I’m not going to stay in bed and rot while others need me. I’m out here asking for help so others know they have the strength to ask for help too.

If you’re able to contribute even a few dollars, we’d be ever so grateful. It’s very hard for us to create and put out something like this but we wanted to leave our hearts on the table for those of you who know the kind of struggles we’re going through.

Thank you and much love to everyone ❤️

** Fundraiser Milestones:

$150 - A Month of Gas!

$300 - Groceries and/or legal assistance

$1776 - January Rent (avoid eviction)

$1917 - Rent with Utilities

$2595 - Rent, Utilities for Jan. along with one month of credit debt

$3500 - Two months of Rent & Utilities

$5500 - Knock out 2/3 of car financing and credit card debt

$7000 - Four months of Rent & car/renters insurance coverage.