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An Update on Blu
7 years ago
|| Pricing Guide || Commission Form & TOS || Trello || Stream || Bluesky ||
|| Patreon || Okay, I think I’m finally ready to talk about this and what I’ve been feeling.
It really, really fucking sucks to have to beg people to engage with me and my art. Every creative should do their best to not feel entitled to attention—but when I ask my audience a yes or no question and get 2 responses out of a potential 500, it feels really bad.
Everyone doesn’t have to love what I do. Art and style are very subjective. I can see how my OCs and how I choose to depict them isn’t for everyone.
This isn’t about a lack of attention, despite what it might sound like to some of you. It’s a symptom to an even bigger, worse feeling. That my conscientious, very best efforts aren’t as good as someone else’s terrible behaviors.
I’ve tried really hard to always advocate for Artists, Writers AND Non-Creatives. It’s why I always do my best to make sure that when I’m talking to commissioners, or anyone really, it’s a positive experience. Sure, I can come off as goofy and excitable, but I think it’s preferable to the horror stories I’ve heard about lack of communication, nasty customer service, art that never gets done and bad attitudes in general.
Some of my closest friends, even my Significant Other, have all had horrible experiences with unprofessional creatives. I’ve listened and learned what not to do, and I can’t say as I’ve had any complaints. There’s pride in that. But I’m getting off topic.
The harder subject I want to bring up is “Popularity.” Specifically, what I’ve seen a lot of lately with all of this upsetting news and distasteful personalities who will not be named.
What I hear and see from people pouring their support onto unsavory folk is: This creative person, despite whatever the skill, luck and resources they have, consistently provides terrible service, steals money, is abusive/racist/homophobic and refuses to improve.
And you, Blu, are not as good or as worthy as they are.
Yes, that’s MY issue. Yes, these are my emotions and whether they’re right or wrong, they’ve been gnawing at me for a week and some change. I take full responsibility for them. That isn’t to say that they’re completely invalid, and that outside sources didn’t have a hand in them.
I’ve pulled back from people I care about because maybe I am too focused on engaging with folks. I’ve never been one to “draw for myself”. I’m an entertainer at heart. I love doing art, I enjoy the process, but it also hurts to feel like I’m tossing my heart into a void. Maybe there’s something broken between me and the craft and I have to take this time to fix it.
No, I don’t want to be “Popufur” (god that’s so stupid, we’re all just people). Some will think this is just a cry for attention or whatever. I’m just letting the people who care know what’s up with me, and hopefully giving some folks something to think about.
I like this new trend of “retweet and I’ll follow you if you’re a small artist struggling” on twitter. I think it’s a step in the right direction and that we need more of that. I’d like to take part in it, but I don’t really think I deserve it right now.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
[For those wondering: October's Raffle is still going to be announced 11/12, likely sometime in the afternoon.
There are not going to be anymore monthly pin ups in the foreseeable future.]
It really, really fucking sucks to have to beg people to engage with me and my art. Every creative should do their best to not feel entitled to attention—but when I ask my audience a yes or no question and get 2 responses out of a potential 500, it feels really bad.
Everyone doesn’t have to love what I do. Art and style are very subjective. I can see how my OCs and how I choose to depict them isn’t for everyone.
This isn’t about a lack of attention, despite what it might sound like to some of you. It’s a symptom to an even bigger, worse feeling. That my conscientious, very best efforts aren’t as good as someone else’s terrible behaviors.
I’ve tried really hard to always advocate for Artists, Writers AND Non-Creatives. It’s why I always do my best to make sure that when I’m talking to commissioners, or anyone really, it’s a positive experience. Sure, I can come off as goofy and excitable, but I think it’s preferable to the horror stories I’ve heard about lack of communication, nasty customer service, art that never gets done and bad attitudes in general.
Some of my closest friends, even my Significant Other, have all had horrible experiences with unprofessional creatives. I’ve listened and learned what not to do, and I can’t say as I’ve had any complaints. There’s pride in that. But I’m getting off topic.
The harder subject I want to bring up is “Popularity.” Specifically, what I’ve seen a lot of lately with all of this upsetting news and distasteful personalities who will not be named.
What I hear and see from people pouring their support onto unsavory folk is: This creative person, despite whatever the skill, luck and resources they have, consistently provides terrible service, steals money, is abusive/racist/homophobic and refuses to improve.
And you, Blu, are not as good or as worthy as they are.
Yes, that’s MY issue. Yes, these are my emotions and whether they’re right or wrong, they’ve been gnawing at me for a week and some change. I take full responsibility for them. That isn’t to say that they’re completely invalid, and that outside sources didn’t have a hand in them.
I’ve pulled back from people I care about because maybe I am too focused on engaging with folks. I’ve never been one to “draw for myself”. I’m an entertainer at heart. I love doing art, I enjoy the process, but it also hurts to feel like I’m tossing my heart into a void. Maybe there’s something broken between me and the craft and I have to take this time to fix it.
No, I don’t want to be “Popufur” (god that’s so stupid, we’re all just people). Some will think this is just a cry for attention or whatever. I’m just letting the people who care know what’s up with me, and hopefully giving some folks something to think about.
I like this new trend of “retweet and I’ll follow you if you’re a small artist struggling” on twitter. I think it’s a step in the right direction and that we need more of that. I’d like to take part in it, but I don’t really think I deserve it right now.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
[For those wondering: October's Raffle is still going to be announced 11/12, likely sometime in the afternoon.
There are not going to be anymore monthly pin ups in the foreseeable future.]
Annyyyyway. Sorry for the long comment but it always pains me to see other artists feel upset about their art. Fuck those unsavory artists and just do your own thing. If you enjoy making art and there are people that enjoy viewing it then that's amazing. If you want to take a break or think about things, then do that too. Just do what makes you happy and stay well~
Had a few bad experiences on coms and it's always great when you try someone new and not only do they do great work (And I am hard to please) but are a pleasure to chat/work with as well. Loved the work I've had from you as well as yar other art.
I don't take my own art seriously and still get a bit bummed when no one comments or speaks to me if I post a journal so for a proper artist it's going to feel worse.
But ye be awesome so don't change and I look forward to seeing whatever you post next ^^
The thing about these popular artists who act like they just fell off the turnip truck is while they do have a lot of support it's because people don't know how they actually act. And the people who do know how they act are some mess of scrublords who don't care what they actually act like and how they treat people, legitimately agree with any distasteful views they express, or are trying to suck up so 'senpai will notice them' and give them free art or something. Heck, I'd be willing to argue some people's buffoonery and unprofessionalism only gives them more publicity (and in turn more scrubs), and a lot of the really professional artists are chilling out with their more modest fanbases putting out quality work without much spectacle.
TL/DR: Just cuz people sleep on the Blu, don’t mean the Blu’s not awesome af. Don’t let no one (not even yourself) say that the Blu ain’t the baddest. You are.