NOTES #1 - Who is Michael FIG?

Welcome to my first "NOTES" blog series with me, Michael FIG. In this series, I will dive into my life—sharing stories from both my past and present, offering advice and lessons learned, and providing updates on my latest projects. We're going to have fun!

**Michael FIG: "A Brief Introduction!"**

I am an artist based in the United States, born on May 17, 1997. I grew up in a small town in North Carolina, and, like many, my childhood had its challenges.

Most people know me as Michael FIG, which is my stage name. However, my close family and friends know me by my real name, Michael Figueroa. FIG is simply a shortened version of Figueroa.

Those who are closest to me understand that I can be quite silly, extremely random, overprotective, loving, and a real trickster behind closed doors. To be honest, I can also be a bit stubborn at times too.

I've been drawing for many years, I have always had a vivid imagination, coming up with random scenarios. Since I loved drawing and reading, I started creating my own comics. and while my early art and comics were often quite rough, I am proud of how far I've come.

Lets dive deeper into my past...

**Michael FIG: "A Deep Dive Into My Struggles!"**

I have struggled with mental and emotional health issues since I was born—according to my mother, family members, and doctors. These conditions are rare for most children. Before I turned 10, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type One and Schizoaffective Disorder.

Later, I was diagnosed with Psychogenic Seizures, which were triggered by high levels of Stress and PTSD. I also faced Severe Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, and experiences of Physical and Emotional Abuse. Weight fluctuations have been another ongoing challenge throughout my life; at times, I was either too thin or too heavy. In 2023, I faced a severe health crisis, on my death bed with a blood sugar level over a thousand and subsequently developed Type Two Diabetes. There was no hope, even the Doctors were scared. But I made it!

BTW, for those unaware, Schizoaffective disorder is a rare mental health condition that is somewhat similar to Schizophrenia, but also not quite either. If you would like to know more, a quick Google search will provide information.

Despite the many struggles I've faced, I also experienced many joyful moments as a child. Sure, I had my mischievous moments in elementary and middle school, but I always tried to handle challenges to the best of my ability.

I’m happy to share that as an adult, I am in a much better place. My overall health has improved significantly, and my environment has also seen major positive changes. Overall, I am much happier now. But enough about the struggles—let's focus on the lighter side of things!

**Michael FIG: "The Things That Made Me... Me!"**

I grew up in a household that enjoyed a variety of fun genres, which include, kung-fu, action movies, animations, video games, and books. We were big readers too! In fact, in school, I was always one of the first kids to ask my teachers if I could go to the library, eagerly returning with the maximum allowed number of books—three at a time! The book fair was also something I looked forward to.

Some of my earliest memories involve watching my dad play video games while my mom enjoyed old Chinese movies. According to her, she grew up in a kung-fu-loving household with her parents. It's interesting to think that this might have been a subliminal influence or even a genetic connection.

These experiences fueled my interest in creating my own stories. I often found myself imagining random scenarios in my head, which were incredibly fun and could evoke laughter, sadness, or intensity—an aspect of my ADHD... I guess, when overthinking. I got into drawing as an outlet, suggested to me by an old therapist. It worked! I felt great doing it! I loved it so much that drawing eventually became a big passion for me.

I've always loved making people laugh and smile. Some people through time, have mistaken my kindness for being “fake nice” or thought I wanted a romantic relationship simply because I was being “too nice.” But that wasn't the case. I was taught to treat others, no matter their race, gender, sexuality and even looks, as I would like to be treated, with respect and kindness. That everyone deserves some sort of respect even random compliments, but of course I always try to be genuine as possible. I understand why some might interpret my friendliness as overboard, but that’s just who I am. I'm not a perfect person. No one is.

Sorry for the tangent, but it leads to my main point. In school, my classmates would often laugh at the comics I created, they enjoyed them! I even drew pictures for friends on their birthdays. In 5th grade, the principal of my school paid me $200 to draw a picture for his son's birthday.

These little moments in my life, the smiles I brought to others' faces, and the joy I felt while putting pen to paper all fulfilled me. This realization sparked my desire to pursue a career in storytelling and art. It’s fun! I want the world to experience my projects, my writing, my art, and my characters. Plus, being able to do this full-time would allow me to focus entirely on my passion. And as they say, "If you’re doing something you love, it feels like you’re never working a day in your life."

LET'S HAVE A QUICK BREAKDOWN...

1. I grew up in a household filled with a diverse group of interests, and a love for reading.

2. Drawing started as a coping mechanism for me but eventually became a true passion.

3. My past struggles have motivated me to pursue more in life.

**END...**

Thanks to countless hours of hard work, my passion, and the unwavering support of my amazing family and friends, I have been able to carve a path for myself. Without the hardships I experienced growing up, I might never have found my way here. This is part of my story—the experiences that shaped who I am today. All my victories and struggles have made me: Michael FIG. And this is just the beginning.

I hope this first set of "NOTES" has helped you get to know me a bit better. I have many more stories and experiences to share about my life, both the positive and the negative. We’ll explore those together in the future. I've lived a full life already, and have many stories to tell.

Yours truly,

Michael FIG.