Im just gonna be brutally honest with how I feel at the moment.
And this may come off really weird & cringey, but it is what it is.
maybe you can relate to this in some way, who knows.
maybe
you'll
just
hate
on
it...
because, that does seem to be the current state of content nowadays:
hate watch it.
hate read it.
hate lurk it.
hate
hate it.
we're in a ✨ Hate Era ✨
that aside...yet slightly in mind...
trying to grow as an artist in this day and age seems like a ridiculous struggle that I cannot even wrap my head around, daily.
any and all tips for artists to grow, seems to be extremely outdated and honestly just a guessing game.
I don't think anyone is out here actually cracking the algorithms; I think it just comes down to...
being at the right place,
at the right time,
with the right people watching or stumbling across your content...
and it all adds up together to...
✨ Sheer luck! ✨
Yes, hard work and determination is also involved.
I don't mean to discredit anyone's success; but just...
"pOsTiNg CoNtEnT dAiLy!" & "EnGaGiNg WiTh YoUr AuDiEnCe!"
or... "cOlLaBoRaTiNg!" only gets you so far, if anywhere.
Honestly, a lot of that art advice just seems designed to maintain the popularity of the already popular artist, at the moment.
We are being sold, a pyramid scheme, people!
At least it seems that way...
How many art groups have you joined, just to end up being another number at the end of the day?
How many “ArT rElAtEd” questions have you put out there, in a caption, before pressing 'Send', just to be left answerless.
How many group art trades have you joined, for it to just zap any and all creativity out of you, at the end?
How many tags have you used...
Or don’t use!
What are your thoughts on tags?
Do you use "keywords" nowadays?
How many "viral trends" have you tried to follow, or successfully followed, just to be left with the same results in the end.
Absolutely Nothin'.
Another silent struggle that no one really talks about is, gaining a large following and it not reflecting towards your art content or the actual thing that you're working towards, at all.
Sure, it's great that a lot of people are following you, but... don't you...also... want those people... following you...for... Your Content...too?
I don't just want to be ✨ TuMbLr FaMoUs ✨ ...okay, calm down could I be any more dramatic?!
...I want my work to actually be seen and appreciated at the end of the day, too. WOW! How original. This is what most people want, as artists. . .
..Is what you must be thinking, right about now.
As Chandler Bing (the late Matthew Perry) would say...
Thanks! Im just being honest about my current thoughts at the moment, pertaining to art, if that's ok with you!
I bet Van Gogh felt a similar way, when he was alive.
Did you know? Even though considered a master now, Van Gogh only managed to sell one painting during his lifetime - ‘The Red Vineyard'.
Yes, I just compared myself to The Great, Vincent Van Gogh.
What?
Im still trying to achieve the art audience that I've been not just waiting for, but trying to attract since like 2016...only with a bunch of people following me now lol
And it's crazy to think about the state of social media noways.
There was once a time on Instagram, where nudes were not allowed, At All.
I received a suspension for posting what I believed to be a tasteful nude Drawing, a while back...
Now, open up Instagram, I guarantee, you're gonna see a pair of fake tits in your face, with nothing but a thin sheer fabric not even trying to hide a nipple. It's wild.
Like, don't get me wrong, Im not hating...but if I post slightly nude art now on instagram, is it gonna get yeeted, meanwhile the actual nipples get to stay up...
I also realize that lately I have a love/hate relationship with digital art.
Don't get me wrong, digital art is great for it's conveniences purposes...but Im more of a traditional art girly.
That's the art medium I started with and I miss getting messy with paints and all that.
These are things that can be improved in the future, but I feel kind of defeated every now and then. And I don't think Im alone in this.
I watched a YouTube video from someone the other day, RawBeautyKristi, and she kind of shared a similar feeling towards social media at the moment or the state of it. Just everything is very much hate fuelled, vapid. Empty.
It just kind of feels like...what's the point? you know?
and I guess what Im trying to say is that...Im supposed to find the point, we're supposed to find the point; but I haven't found it yet.
And maybe you haven't found it yet, either.
I feel kind of discouraged to create things and that this is a whole different level, of something that just...Im turning into a competition, when there really is no way to compete with this.
especially when it comes to digital art, or art in general.
Social media, even.
But I can't help but think about the first time I put my work out there and how well it was received. I guess I've been trying to capture that same reaction or outcome with art again, but it really was just luck.
I don't think what I shared is really that original, I think a lot of people artists or not, could relate to some degree: a desire for recognition of some sort…and I want to be a Van Gogh; as cliché as that may sound it's the truth.
but maybe it's just not meant for me.
and I guess Im just trying to find a way to be ok with that and also acknowledge other factors like:
I've moved, changed art mediums and changed my social media handles a bit here and there; which, all of that combined, also makes it difficult to follow or keep up with someone.
Put digital art aside and turn to traditional art...we have...Child Art Prodigy’s out here.
Like how do you compete with that?!
The answer is you don't! lol
There's really no need for this kind of pressure that Im putting on myself.
Which is why questions like this are laughable:
because there's really nothing I can do, and Im not going to drive myself into a mental state, all in the name of trying to stay relevant.
you know what Im saying?
I don't know...
Perhaps it's about, exploring platforms beyond the mainstream; supporting each other, and finding joy in the process, not just the numbers. Our art deserves to be seen, appreciated, and celebrated; but it's also ok if it takes a little longer than others, or doesn't happen at all... maybe it'll happen. maybe it won't.
So, let's redefine success beyond follower counts and algorithms. Let's create a space where every artist's journey is acknowledged and celebrated.
Share your stories, your struggles, and your victories.
Let's navigate this together.
And remember:
"We don't make mistakes - we just have happy accidents." - Bob Ross
comments, bookmarks and story reshares are appreciated 💛 it helps share my work to those who might enjoy it!
some personal art to take another step back towards consistent posting! this is my OC Grace, the first OC i ever posted and an OC i am very attached to. its been extremely warm as of late here in the UK, and so i felt like encapsulating summer in a piece! i hope that everyone's having a splendid day, and i'll see you next time~
here is my entry for @isa.b.e.e's DTIYS challenge! i think she did such a cute job with the art for this one, i had so much fun warming up with this today! please go check her out and support her work i hope you're all doing well! until next time~!
Hey everyone! I'm kind-of back after a semi-hiatus!
Over the past few months, I haven't been very active on IG/TikTok or any of my other social media platforms except for Twitter, which unfortunately seems to be dying unless you purchase Twitter Blue. I've been focusing on real-life stuff like studying and my job, but I recently started posting regularly on Threads and streaming on Twitch, which has been incredibly successful. Thank you so much for your support on those platforms!
Before coming back, I took some time to step back, analyze social media algorithms, and make a plan - and that's what I've done! While I'm still prioritizing Twitch and commission work, I want to start doing art for myself again.
What's new? VGen, a site for trusted artists and creators to collaborate on commissioned work, took me on as a partner in June 2023. We also hit affiliate status on Twitch last week, which means you can support me by subbing, donating, or watching along and keeping me company. I've been experimenting with Ko-Fi and Etsy by making digital downloadables like streaming overlays. Subscribers and donators to my Ko-Fi can get a sketch of themselves, their OC, or a character! Also - I have a Discord now! You can find the link in my carrd since IG posts don't allow links. I'm active in there and keep a stream log. I hope to organize movie/anime nights, discord-exclusive streams, early access, etc. It's intended to be a community for artists and art enthusiasts, not just for me!
What's next? For the summer, I plan to focus on creating shop items, finishing up any remaining commissions or donation rewards, and streaming five days a week. I'll also try to post more regularly online - specifically on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Having post notifications on to make sure you see this really means the world to me!
Thank you for your support and I hope to see you around!
