Cartoonist facing eviction

Cartoonist beats Depression, facing Eviction

The above title pretty much says it all.  My name is Brian Douglas Ahern. I am known as Briz to just about everyone who knows me. I have been working professionally as a cartoonist, illustrator, and designer for roughly 25 years.  Samples of my work can be found throughout this description.  


I love my work and am thankful every day for having been blessed with the ability to do it.  I may lose the space I have to do it in, however, as I am facing eviction from my small rental home studio. There's a back-story to this.


In September of last year, I was diagnosed with Depression. That explained a great deal, as my life had become sluggish and dour, but I had no idea how low I had fallen until my family doctor prescribed the medications to set right the serious chemical imbalance in my brain.


What a gift! Once my system started responding to the medicaton, I began to feel like myself again.  The smothering gray fog that had enshrouded my life lifted, revealing a beautiful world of color and enthusiasm.  I could once again find joy and interest in my work, my friends, my extraordinary dog, and even found myself once again feeling a connection with my faith, which I feared I had lost.


Being able to once again see clearly, I also saw the state of my cartoonist studio. I gaped in horror as I saw cartoons and illustrations tossed aside half-finished, brilliant ideas with great potential had no more than a few scribbled notes and were abandoned, and nearly-finished projects were left to gather dust. It was a harsh reminder of the horrible days when I sat staring at my desk unable to even pick up the pencil.


But the worst was seeing the stacks (stacks!) of commissioned assignments from clients who had already paid me for cartoons, caricatures, logos, illustrations, and even pages of original comic book art--all barely touched. Some of this work was past due by weeks, some by months...and some by years. I felt as if I had inherited a failing business from a well-meaning but totaly incompetent manager.


Horrified, I called every client I could to make amends and explain what had been going on these past several years. Every one of them, saints be praised, was completely understanding and supportive. Now I had my work cut out for me! I needed to not only finish an enormous amount of work for long-waiting clients, but I also had to bring in new work from new sources to keep the bills and rent paid.


For eight months, I made a pretty good show of it. And I'm still going strong, or as strong as I am able.  But while Briz the Cartoonist has been back at the desk and making headway for over half a year, "Depression Brian" (as I tend to think of my past self) had a head start on me of over seven years. I am doing my best, but I realize now that I can't do it alone.


I am behind in my rent mostly because I have left behind Depression Brian's tendency to take payments and never bring himself to begin the work.  My landlord, a sweet, reasonable, and patient man has been supportive but he can only be patient for so long. Owning only three small rental properties, he needs my monthly payments for one-third of his income. He does not want to evict me, but the good man does need to eat. I understand, and hold no malice towards him (How could I?).  But for both our sakes, the rent must be paid.


The amount I have listed in my goal is the minimum total that would bring me up to date on my rent payments. Were I able to get ahead, so that I might spend more time finishing my work and doing right by my clients, it would be an absolute godsend. Right now, I am focusing primarily on getting caught up--on everything.


If you can send anything in contribution to my fundraiser, God bless you ten times over. If you cannot, I would be very grateful for your prayers, if that is somethind you do. I believe there is immeasurable power in it. I also believe that this problem can be solved, with your help.  Thank-you so very, very much.
 
90-second video of some color artwork:

Examples of my work online:
BrizyComics Tumblr page 
BrizyComics online portfolio