Struggling single father and artist
Donation protected
My name is Zoe, and I live with my dad in metro Phoenix, Arizona.
Let me start off by telling you a bit about me. I’m an average teen in most ways. I like to hang out and chat with my friends and boyfriend, I like chocolate lava cakes and I struggle with grades in school. The one thing different about me is I, and my siblings, are all artists as well as writers, and I believe it’s because our dad is an artist and writer.
Now let me tell you a bit about my dad. I have never seen anyone who works as hard at everything, as my dad. He is a very proud man, and it took a lot of convincing for him to agree to my doing this. You see, my dad has raised me all by himself, without child support or much help of any kind from anyone. He did it on his own. More importantly, he has always made sure I was taken care of, and has been there whenever I needed him, being both my dad as well as my mom. Dad’s a veteran, having served as an Army Combat Medic. He’s also an amazing artist, and has been doing art for a living for over 20 years. In fact, he worked in advertising and marketing for 12 years, before being laid off in 2008, because of the economy, and after that he had to face not being able to find a traditional job, because of the economy, so he has done what many in his field have had to do; freelance. My dad has worked every day since 2008, and on average, works 10 to 12 hours a day. He has to, just for us to get by. And when he isn’t working on commissions, he is working on his next graphic novel, Vindicated Inc, a project that has garnered a lot of attention from the national media, because it’s an action thriller graphic novel about disabled veterans; a subject very important to my dad.
Now, since going freelance, my dad has worked on and created some major books for companies like IDW Publishing, EA Games, 20th Century Fox, Xbox, and more. You see that and you must think, he’s got to be financially successful. But, I have learned, from being his daughter, artists are not treated or paid well. In fact, only 13% of comic artists are financially comfortable. A majority struggle, go uninsured, have to be more creative in finding ways to get by. That’s my dad. And he’s struggled with medical issues, from diabetes, arthritis and depression from PTSD. I have never seen a day my dad didn’t face the day, no matter what was going on or how he felt. I hate seeing my dad struggle, and try and keep a stiff upper lip, when I know it is weighing on him, worried he is failing me.
2016 started out great, and we had high hopes, with lots of completed commissions. He did a few book covers as well as a TV series comic, but it all tapered off by Fall. Since then, purse strings of clients tightened, we think because of the shaky economy and the elections. So, now we hit December, and three separate clients over the last couple weeks backed out of projects, again because of finances, and we have bills due; most importantly rent and utilities. My dad tries hiding it, but he looks so exhausted.
My dad has raised me to be accountable, responsible, and to always be prepared to take charge when needed. Something he learned from the Army. So, I took on a job this fall, with Starbucks, to try and help, but I'm limited to what I can do, because I am in school. Dad made it clear, education comes first. A family friend suggested GoFundMe. So, I wrote this letter in hopes we can get help from others who understand what it’s like. Dad ignored his pride, and accepted, and gave me his blessings to tell of our situation.
No matter what, thank you for reading this.
Sincerely,
Zoe Kissell
Let me start off by telling you a bit about me. I’m an average teen in most ways. I like to hang out and chat with my friends and boyfriend, I like chocolate lava cakes and I struggle with grades in school. The one thing different about me is I, and my siblings, are all artists as well as writers, and I believe it’s because our dad is an artist and writer.
Now let me tell you a bit about my dad. I have never seen anyone who works as hard at everything, as my dad. He is a very proud man, and it took a lot of convincing for him to agree to my doing this. You see, my dad has raised me all by himself, without child support or much help of any kind from anyone. He did it on his own. More importantly, he has always made sure I was taken care of, and has been there whenever I needed him, being both my dad as well as my mom. Dad’s a veteran, having served as an Army Combat Medic. He’s also an amazing artist, and has been doing art for a living for over 20 years. In fact, he worked in advertising and marketing for 12 years, before being laid off in 2008, because of the economy, and after that he had to face not being able to find a traditional job, because of the economy, so he has done what many in his field have had to do; freelance. My dad has worked every day since 2008, and on average, works 10 to 12 hours a day. He has to, just for us to get by. And when he isn’t working on commissions, he is working on his next graphic novel, Vindicated Inc, a project that has garnered a lot of attention from the national media, because it’s an action thriller graphic novel about disabled veterans; a subject very important to my dad.
Now, since going freelance, my dad has worked on and created some major books for companies like IDW Publishing, EA Games, 20th Century Fox, Xbox, and more. You see that and you must think, he’s got to be financially successful. But, I have learned, from being his daughter, artists are not treated or paid well. In fact, only 13% of comic artists are financially comfortable. A majority struggle, go uninsured, have to be more creative in finding ways to get by. That’s my dad. And he’s struggled with medical issues, from diabetes, arthritis and depression from PTSD. I have never seen a day my dad didn’t face the day, no matter what was going on or how he felt. I hate seeing my dad struggle, and try and keep a stiff upper lip, when I know it is weighing on him, worried he is failing me.
2016 started out great, and we had high hopes, with lots of completed commissions. He did a few book covers as well as a TV series comic, but it all tapered off by Fall. Since then, purse strings of clients tightened, we think because of the shaky economy and the elections. So, now we hit December, and three separate clients over the last couple weeks backed out of projects, again because of finances, and we have bills due; most importantly rent and utilities. My dad tries hiding it, but he looks so exhausted.
My dad has raised me to be accountable, responsible, and to always be prepared to take charge when needed. Something he learned from the Army. So, I took on a job this fall, with Starbucks, to try and help, but I'm limited to what I can do, because I am in school. Dad made it clear, education comes first. A family friend suggested GoFundMe. So, I wrote this letter in hopes we can get help from others who understand what it’s like. Dad ignored his pride, and accepted, and gave me his blessings to tell of our situation.
No matter what, thank you for reading this.
Sincerely,
Zoe Kissell
Organizer and beneficiary
Zoe Kissell
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
Gerry Kissell
Beneficiary
