Hi there.

For those that remember me, it's been a long time. About 7-8 months ago, I believe, I announced that I would retire from drawing. The latest art piece I've made was a couple days ago. I've gotten comments from those that miraculously enjoy my artwork and received one particular comment saying that I should come back again. I can't help but think that I would like do so, but would it be worth it? Currently, I'm working on a project that is currently receiving much praise (I can't tell what for professional reasons), and I've enjoyed putting my artistic talents to better use. If I were to come back to drawing what I love, what would I gain? I love having an audience viewing my artwork, but those that actually enjoy it are very few and far between. I'm ridiculed and branded as a freak almost everywhere I go. FA is good place, but its forums are more unforgiving when I try to share my passion. 4chan is a no-go, Rule 34 has unending comments saying I'm a faggot, lulz.net thinks I'm an idiot, it seems like relentless judgement follows me everywhere I go. I'll never find a group of people that understands my material outside of FA and E621 (to an extent) and like me for who I am. I understand I have a niche audience, but the negative backlash I get is almost unreal. That's why I am struggling to decide what to do. Should I take the time between my projects to make more furry art or focus solely on the project I'm making.

Sorry for taking up your time.

Yes

Yes, you should come back. :3

TheHuskyK9 said:
Yes

furballs_dc said:
Yes, you should come back. :3

Well, I'm glad there are already those that wish for me to come back around, but I wonder how I can make myself and my art more approachable. I don't want to be disheartened when I come back only to receive more negativity.

Sorry, I know that's annoying, but I can't help it. I actually have an unnatural fear of being hated. I know it's impossible to please all people all the time, but it's bad news to know most furry sites on the net brand me as a freak among furries.

do YOU want to?

thats the only important question

BSting said:
…it's bad news to know most furry sites on the net brand me as a freak among furries.

A freak among furries?

I think you'd have to be digging up corpses or something to rightly be considered that.

BSting said:
Well, I'm glad there are already those that wish for me to come back around, but I wonder how I can make myself and my art more approachable. I don't want to be disheartened when I come back only to receive more negativity.

Sorry, I know that's annoying, but I can't help it. I actually have an unnatural fear of being hated. I know it's impossible to please all people all the time, but it's bad news to know most furry sites on the net brand me as a freak among furries.

Fetishes are fetishes. Not everyone likes the same fetish. If they are bashing you over your own fetish or interests, ignore them. They don't know you and their insults hold no weight. I'm pretty sure that they won't like if someone bashes them on their own fetishes.

In this case, I'd like to quote Bruce Lee on this.

"People fear what they do not understand."
-Bruce Lee

Since they don't understand your fetish, those peeps fear/dislike it. How do they not fear something? By making themselves feel superior. How do they make themselves feel superior? By insulting peeps that like what they fear/dislike.

null0010 said:
do YOU want to?

thats the only important question

True

If you really want to, go for it.

Durandal said:
A freak among furries?

I think you'd have to be digging up corpses or something to rightly be considered that.

Trust me, the irony is not lost with me. Yet, it seems to be the case.

TheHuskyK9 said:
An inspiring reality check that holds the key to fighting off bad feedback.

Speaking of fear, do you think it's the fear of bees and bee stings in general that makes people hate me so much? I think that may be the case. Other fetishes seem to get around because most break the bonds of reality to the point where hardly anyone has any phobias concerning them. Everybody hates bees, people have had unpleasant experiences with them. Therefore, they hate ME when I associate bee stings with nude art. I've had bad stings before. I've been stung on the toe when I was little and three wasp stings on my shoulder as a teen, but I never felt fear afterwards or resented them. I must be some sort of freak to not have anything afterwards. Anyway, the real question is how can I convince people to look past their fears and see a fun subject behind it?

null0010 said:
do YOU want to?

thats the only important question

I don't know. I'd love to draw again, but I'd hate for any efforts I make to be in vain.

draw for you

BSting said:
Everybody hates bees…

I like bees :c

BSting said:
Speaking of fear, do you think it's the fear of bees and bee stings in general that makes people hate me so much? I think that may be the case. Other fetishes seem to get around because most break the bonds of reality to the point where hardly anyone has any phobias concerning them. Everybody hates bees, people have had unpleasant experiences with them. Therefore, they hate ME when I associate bee stings with nude art. I've had bad stings before. I've been stung on the toe when I was little and three wasp stings on my shoulder as a teen, but I never felt fear afterwards or resented them. I must be some sort of freak to not have anything afterwards. Anyway, the real question is how can I convince people to look past their fears and see a fun subject behind it?

That may be it. It's just like the needle fetish.

TheHuskyK9 said:
That may be it. It's just like the needle fetish.

Hmm, if only there was a way to let people know it's for fun... Til then, I think I might doodle when I have the time and inspiration. Thank you very much, BTW.

BSting said:
Hmm, if only there was a way to let people know it's for fun... Til then, I think I might doodle when I have the time and inspiration. Thank you very much, BTW.

Welcome

just upload a NON-sting versiOn when you feel like iT and ignore THE anti-fetish comments since we've all read them a Billion timEs alrEady. Sorry.

Lance_Armstrong said:
just upload a NON-sting versiOn when you feel like iT and ignore THE anti-fetish comments since we've all read them a Billion timEs alrEady. Sorry.

It's ok!

You'd probably be more popular if you made the stingers penis-shaped.
Silly, I know, but it's a thought.

Halite said:
You'd probably be more popular if you made the stingers penis-shaped.
Silly, I know, but it's a thought.

That's really weird to imagine, because a bee's stinger is a repurposed ovipositor (egg-laying organ).

So that would mean it… well, I'm sure there are people who would be into that, too.

Your work with Whitney was excellent, would love to see more.

Halite said:
You'd probably be more popular if you made the stingers penis-shaped.
Silly, I know, but it's a thought.

Funny thing, I actually tried to convince people to visualize the stinger as a phallic object, the venom sac the gonads, and the act of pumping venom the act of ejaculation. Although, I think I made myself look more insane by explaining it that way...

BSting said:
Funny thing, I actually tried to convince people to visualize the stinger as a phallic object, the venom sac the gonads, and the act of pumping venom the act of ejaculation. Although, I think I made myself look more insane by explaining it that way...

Maybe, but I'm insane enough to see what you're getting at.

I don't think it has to be an either/or. I think you can draw other things that are more understood and enjoy the interaction with an audience through those projects, and then also draw some stinging art so that you can enjoy a fetish you like as well as the others who like that along with you. I see no reason you can't enjoy doing both, and maybe feel more balanced by getting both sets of needs met: drawing what you love, and also being understood by a (mostly) appreciative audience. Just from different projects. ("mostly" being just because there's always someone who's looking for peanut butter when you serve chocolate. It's just inevitable and happens to everyone no matter what the subject matter.)

But I think, in the end, it has to be you that feels good about it. It may not be possible to make other people like stinging art, but seeing it around will take some of the shock out of it. But I think the most important thing in the end is: what do you get out of it? Do you still desire to draw stinging art? Do you still enjoy it? Do you miss doing it? Is it something you would enjoy making again? If so, then find a way to fit it in. Even if you don't want to share any of it, as long as you find what makes you happy as a person, it's the best option. Haters will hate, and that's on them. But you only get the one life. It's a shame to deprive yourself of enjoying something you love, and that makes you unique.

Instead of feeling the shame of a million judgments, start looking at it from a different angle: you see value in something a lot of people don't even examine. Bees are beautiful, but under-appreciated. Stinging is part s & m, part pinprick/needle/injection play, and it actually has a dash of unexpectedly small_dom_big_sub nuances in it. If seen from the bee's perspective, there can also be some sacrifice/snuff overtones. Probably some other kinks or angles I missed as well. But what I'm saying is: a stinging fetish is actually made up of a lot of other really more common fetishes, just in a creative package. It's not that weird at all. There's no shame at all in it. And if you can split your time between projects that give you interactions with an appreciative audience and then also do some fetish work projects separately that gives you a chance to enjoy a fetish that you still love, then that might be the best of both worlds.

Just a thought. It's probably what I would do, if it were me. 50/50 or 60/40 or 80/20...I'd figure out the right balance to that makes me a happy person for both sides of what I'm looking for. And then, haters be damned. They're easier to ignore when I don't feel like they're depriving me of something that I want. But if you get the appreciation and audience interaction from the more "regular" projects, then I don't think people hating the stinging fetish will pinch quite as bad as before. Based on my experience anyway.

You offer a unique product, a product not many other artists would think to or are willing to provide. For those that desire said product, that makes your work very valuable to them.

When you create works involving a non-too-popular fetish, it's the favorites that matter, not the likes/dislikes. That's why we encourage those who have a peculiar fetish to search by "order:favcount" to get the best of what they desire.

I say come back. Draw again, and tell those who leave hate comments without any constructive criticism to fuck off. One of the FACTS of being an artist: You're going to have to tell people to fuck off at one point or another, especially if the same person continuously antagonizes you.

Welp, I think that literally everyone in this thread has already said everything I would have :P

So let me just simply say that you're a very memorable artist. The 'fetish art' you create isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I still enjoyed seeing your posts whenever I stumbled across them. The content certainly isn't offensive or grotesque, so I have never understood the backlash you got when things like guro run rampant. I say just ignore the haters, and draw what you want.

Can you deal with the hate this time? If you don't do anything different this time, inwardly or outwardly, and approach your desire the same as before, then no. One should have every reason to believe history will repeat itself.

I'm not going to say you should return simply because it's a shame for just about any artist to quit. That seems far too selfish and indifferent to the actual problem. Merely saying "fuck the haters", or its equivalents, is not a plan and really does not demonstrate active listening... Clearly that didn't work before. For that matter, I wonder how many who would suggest you return have experienced the same scale or magnitude of rejection as you have. More importantly, of those (few) who have dealt with strong rejection, how well do they now internalize that feedback? Kneejerk independence, blanket indifference, or callous disregard--how I imagine many eventually "adapt" to strong rejection to maintain the facade of outward functionality--do not seem like viable solutions for BSting, or else this thread wouldn't exist, and I do not want to tell you how to think. But enough of that.

Regardless, I did not say you should give up on drawing your fetish. On the contrary, I do think you should pursue it again since you chose the words "drawing what I love" in your OP. That in itself should be all the reason you need to return in some capacity. However, it's all for naught and a big "I told you so" if you come at this without a plan for how this time can be different. You must critically reflect on how you will manage your viewers: how will you attract and grow a desirable (supporting?) base audience, and how will you manage the audience that you don't want who would give you an infamous, bad image? How important is it for you to connect with your audience? I implore you to answer those questions before executing your return in earnest. Furthermore, you will have to make peace with the general public's predisposed rejection of your fetish in one way or another.

Even if you ultimately decide this attempt to return is a failure, you can still learn from it for the next attempt because you didn't just throw yourself to the wolves. Moreover, the actual analysis and experimentation that comes with reincarnating yourself provides a healthy diversion from and secondary drive toward achieving your primary objective. You may even incidentally (learn how to) better handle rejection in the process. But the true purpose in also focusing on how you might tinker with your image and audience engagement is that you have something (productive) to fall back onto, when the rejection becomes unbearable, rather than stall and allow your fetish-drawing aspirations to become stale because it is imperative that you do not stop drawing what you love.

In my experience, it's far more healthy to struggle toward achieving your personal goals than to let them die and yourself stagnate. It can be difficult, though, finding the strength. Fucking difficult. But isn't it better to know than to wistfully look back and at dead dreams and ask yourself "what if"? This is where I'm supposed to withhold that death and dead dreams can hold in themselves some much desired peace. But "death is the easy way out", "anyone can give up and die, but choosing to live takes real courage" and struggle is the essence of life. *cough*
_______

Now, as for practical suggestions, I recommend you start up a primary or "most active" account somewhere where you have full control over what's visible in your public space, and I recommend you judiciously exercise that full control to achieve your own ends, even if that means ruling with any iron fist. I really do not know what hosting options that leaves you, but tumblr seems to be an in thing that might meet those criteria. Start someplace small, out of the limelight, where you have full control.

Establish a rhythm first, then carefully branch out, maybe upload a few pieces that you're proud of elsewhere to advertise yourself and generate traffic for your active, preferred account. Pace yourself and decide what level of exposure or vulnerability you can confidently take on. To that end, you can't really control where and how your works spread throughout the Internet--it can't be helped--but I advise you to not even look at your works that find their ways to havens of abuse until you're ready for that. I'm actually advocating lower awareness... fancy that. Things should work themselves out from there, and I'm tired of this post now. :)

Good luck.

I think the issue most people have with your work is that there is no variety. People mob against certain artists due to their cookie cutter designs and lack of creativity. They also do because of poor talent but that doesn't seem to be your case from what I can tell. People loved your Whitney flash because it was something more. If all you do is the same pose with the same outcome with nothing else then people might not take too kindly. So, If had to make a suggestion, I'd say expand your horizons. Maybe make a few pics were the "stingee" is enjoying themselves or doing something else before being attacked. If all else fails simply take commissions or requests and those that are fans will get what they want while you may gain new fans at the same time by expanding your horizons.

And you need to avoid paheal. That's the same crowd from 4chan so you can imagine how bad they are.

Thanks a lot, everyone! I want to make a comeback. I want to draw because I want to and enjoy it. Also, there are people out there that might have the same type of fetish or something similar that they would want me to draw.

I know what I must do now. Thank you so much, everyone.

BSting said:
Thanks a lot, everyone! I want to make a comeback. I want to draw because I want to and enjoy it. Also, there are people out there that might have the same type of fetish or something similar that they would want me to draw.

I know what I must do now. Thank you so much, everyone.

Glad to hear it! I'd guess I'm probably not the only one who just recently discovered you, so you might come back to a few new supporters you didn't even know you had.

null0010 said:
draw for you

terrible advice, really

Ozelot said:
terrible advice, really

How so?

TheHuskyK9 said:
How so?

I know from experience that "Draw for you" just means that if you have talent, people hate on you for being jealous.

Obviously what people what is for you to draw for them.

Ozelot said:
I know from experience that "Draw for you" just means that if you have talent, people hate on you for being jealous.

Here we go again…

Ozelot said:
I know from experience that "Draw for you" just means that if you have talent, people hate on you for being jealous.

Obviously what people what is for you to draw for them.

You can think that

TheHuskyK9 said:
You can think that

It's true though.

If you don't believe me, try getting good at drawing and see. Many people will come to you expecting you to cater to their likes and interests, and if you choose not to they get abusive/insulting/passive aggressive.

It's especially bad if they're in groups and you don't share their opinions. They lash out and all act like you're just a bad artist who wants attention.

Drawing for yourself and being an artist is pretty much a bad rap. You probably won't get paid much, if anything for it, and you'll definitely get treated like crap quite often. Only popular artists are treated with much respect.

Ozelot said:
It's true though.

If you don't believe me, try getting good at drawing and see. Many people will come to you expecting you to cater to their likes and interests, and if you choose not to they get abusive/insulting/passive aggressive.

It's especially bad if they're in groups and you don't share their opinions. They lash out and all act like you're just a bad artist who wants attention.

Drawing for yourself and being an artist is pretty much a bad rap. You probably won't get paid much, if anything for it, and you'll definitely get treated like crap quite often. Only popular artists are treated with much respect.

That's rather odd. I've only ever produced art for free when I saw fit to do so. No pressure has ever been placed on me to produce free artwork for anyone, be they friends or other people in the community.

I think you're doing a fair bit of projecting, and may want to step back and take a look at how much bitterness and negativity you're spewing.

Back on topic, though, if you're going to get back into producing art, that's great! Always nice to have more people engaging in creating artwork. I certainly wish you well in your future endeavours!

Ozelot said:
It's true though.

If you don't believe me, try getting good at drawing and see. Many people will come to you expecting you to cater to their likes and interests, and if you choose not to they get abusive/insulting/passive aggressive.

Eh, part of it is true. I already draw for myself and sometimes do requests. I already denied some requests because I didn't want to draw some of the stuff they wanted. They either don't message back or suggest something else.

It's especially bad if they're in groups and you don't share their opinions. They lash out and all act like you're just a bad artist who wants attention.

Then those peeps are the most immature peeps I've ever heard of.
"I want this"
"No"
"OMG YOU SUCK!! WORST ARTIST EVAR, WAAHHH!!!"

Drawing for yourself and being an artist is pretty much a bad rap. You probably won't get paid much, if anything for it, and you'll definitely get treated like crap quite often. Only popular artists are treated with much respect.

Because drawing is only about making money right? Also, how do you think popular artists started off when they were new? They weren't instantly popular, that's for sure. It takes time, patience, and practice. Pretty sure every artist was disrespected at least once when they first started. Not everyone is nice all the time. As their art improved as time goes on, they start to earn respect from the peeps. Also having a good attitude towards others can build you a good rap and can get you popular faster.

Misappropriated said:
That's rather odd. I've only ever produced art for free when I saw fit to do so. No pressure has ever been placed on me to produce free artwork for anyone, be they friends or other people in the community.

I think you're doing a fair bit of projecting, and may want to step back and take a look at how much bitterness and negativity you're spewing.

Back on topic, though, if you're going to get back into producing art, that's great! Always nice to have more people engaging in creating artwork. I certainly wish you well in your future endeavours!

LOL. Yes, I'm projecting about the things I have actually experienced and been through.

TheHuskyK9 said:
Eh, part of it is true. I already draw for myself and sometimes do requests. I already denied some requests because I didn't want to draw some of the stuff they wanted. They either don't message back or suggest something else.

Then those peeps are the most immature peeps I've ever heard of.
"I want this"
"No"
"OMG YOU SUCK!! WORST ARTIST EVAR, WAAHHH!!!"

Because drawing is only about making money right? Also, how do you think popular artists started off when they were new? They weren't instantly popular, that's for sure. It takes time, patience, and practice. Pretty sure every artist was disrespected at least once when they first started. Not everyone is nice all the time. As their art improved as time goes on, they start to earn respect from the peeps. Also having a good attitude towards others can build you a good rap and can get you popular faster.

You're assuming "draw for you" will accomplish any of that. It really depends on what you are "drawing for you."

Is it a popular thing like tits n' ass, or MLP? I imagine you will get a lot of "respect" and attention and offers for commissions. If it's something less so, then no.

Sometimes practice and patience can pay off for absolutely nothing.

Ozelot said:
LOL. Yes, I'm projecting about the things I have actually experienced and been through.

You're assuming "draw for you" will accomplish any of that. It really depends on what you are "drawing for you."

Is it a popular thing like tits n' ass, or MLP? I imagine you will get a lot of "respect" and attention and offers for commissions. If it's something less so, then no.

Sometimes practice and patience can pay off for absolutely nothing.

Depends if you want to make drawing a profession or just a hobby.

Also, I'd like to point out that if the art is bad, no one is going to care about getting a commission. If you draw something like this just because it's mlp and say "OPEN FOR COMMISSIONS", you will most definitely not get any attention, respect, or offers.

^^ Meh. You've already admitted your attitude to drawing is that of a popularity contest -- pander to your audience. All you're describing here is the suffering you get as a natural result of adopting that attitude.

Fortunately, not all artists have that attitude.

TheHuskyK9 said:
Depends if you want to make drawing a profession or just a hobby.

Also, I'd like to point out that if the art is bad, no one is going to care about getting a commission. If you draw something like this just because it's mlp and say "OPEN FOR COMMISSIONS", you will most definitely not get any attention, respect, or offers.

We are really off-topic in this thread

I don't know what OP intends to accomplish, but if he's going to take the typical "draw for you" advice, I hope he doesn't expect he won't receive ire. Most likely he won't receive any money, or much praise, no matter how much he practices.

savageorange said:
^^ Meh. You've already admitted your attitude to drawing is that of a popularity contest -- pander to your audience. All you're describing here is the suffering you get as a natural result of adopting that attitude.

Fortunately, not all artists have that attitude.

If popularity was all that concerned me, trust me, I could get it. It's more so that most people in the general world populace seem to treat art solely as a popularity contest. I am simply reflecting the attitude I know is most prevalent on a macro scale. That way I know what I am dealing with and know what to expect.

Seeing as Ozelot exists to get high on her own fumes, let's see if we can get back on the subject at hand. Depending on what your goals are with regards to art, there may be some minor changes necessary in some of the advice you've received here. However, it'll prove rather hard to stick with doing art if you're constantly producing work you don't enjoy. If you happen to be interested in pursuing a career, approach artists you know of who are making a living from their work--more often than not, a common thread you'll find is that they genuinely like what they do. If you're pursuing it as a hobby, get yourself around some positive, like-minded people who can steer you in a constructive direction.

Misappropriated said:
Seeing as Ozelot exists to get high on her own fumes, let's see if we can get back on the subject at hand. Depending on what your goals are with regards to art, there may be some minor changes necessary in some of the advice you've received here. However, it'll prove rather hard to stick with doing art if you're constantly producing work you don't enjoy. If you happen to be interested in pursuing a career, approach artists you know of who are making a living from their work--more often than not, a common thread you'll find is that they genuinely like what they do. If you're pursuing it as a hobby, get yourself around some positive, like-minded people who can steer you in a constructive direction.

This is some solid advice. It also matches a lot of my own observations about both artists and business. Just wanted to put that out there. Good luck to you you, Bsting! I look forward to seeing what you do from here on. (Or imagining what you do if it doesn't include posting more here yet, either way, bee awesome!)

Misappropriated said:
Seeing as Ozelot exists to get high on her own fumes, let's see if we can get back on the subject at hand.

faaaaaart~

(I'm just providing my viewpoint, not everyone has to be all milquetoast. Fine, I'll just leave, obviously nobody listens.)

Oh, a detail I forgot to mention: if you happen to have a friend who is artistically inclined and who you happen to trust, see if you can get them to perform something a friend of mine terms 'sanity checks', basically making sure that whatever elements happen to be in your artwork make sense and fit together properly. Like proofreading a paper, you'd be amazed what another person might pick up on that you yourself missed, or what you might catch after sleeping on it and returning to a project the next day. Mistakes are a part of growth, but don't write off constructive critique! The internet--and the art communities that inhabit it--are practically drowning in artists chomping at the bit to help others.