Why Social Media Almost Destroyed My Passion for Art
The Dangers of Creating Art for Likes
Hello!
Social media has had a profound impact on my journey as an artist, and to be honest, it hasn't always been for the better.
You might ask, "Why?" Well, it all comes down to the pursuit of likes and followers. To get noticed, I felt pressured to draw fan art. The newer and more popular the show, game, or movie, the better the engagement. Sure, this strategy worked, I received a lot of likes on some pieces, and my follower count grew.
But when I started sharing my original work, it was like shouting into the void. No likes, no comments, no engagement.
It seemed like the only way to grow my presence on these platforms was through fan art. And while I enjoyed creating fan art initially, the joy began to fade. It became less about expressing my creativity and more about chasing the algorithm.
This realization led me to an important lesson, creating fan art solely for likes, followers, or recognition isn't sustainable or fulfilling. While fan art can attract attention, often quickly, it's important to recognize its limitations. For one, fan art typically isn't something you can sell or claim ownership over, as the characters belong to someone else. More importantly, when your audience is only interested in fan art, they may not appreciate your original work.
I reached a point where creating fan art became monotonous, and even the engagement began to dwindle. That's when I made a conscious decision, I would only create fan art when I genuinely felt inspired to do so, not because I felt obligated or wanted to please others.
This shift in mindset was liberating. It reminded me that art should be a source of joy and self-expression, not just a means to gain followers or likes. If people truly appreciate your art, they will support you regardless of what you create. Yes, fan art can be a useful tool to attract attention, but if that attention doesn't translate into a genuine interest in your broader body of work, it might not be worth pursuing.
In the end, creating art should always be about what makes you happy, not just what is popular or trending.
Remember, your creative journey is yours alone, stay true to it.
🍂 New Prints!
Exciting news! I've just uploaded brand-new, original art to my INPRNT store. These pieces are all about authenticity, no fan art, just pure, unique creations designed to make a statement on your walls.
🟦 Choose from a variety of sizes and print materials to perfectly match your decor. Whether you prefer a classic canvas or a sleek metal print, there’s an option that will look stunning in your home.
If you’re looking to elevate your space with something truly unique, now’s the time to explore my latest uploads.
💙 Your walls deserve something beautiful and original, thank you for supporting independent art!
🍂 Art Journey
I finally got an update from Patreon, and surprise, surprise, they’re not doing a thing. Instead, they’re pinning the blame on creators while ignoring the flaws in their own business model. So, there goes 75 SEK down the drain!
On a different note, I’ve decided to switch up my note taking apps. I’m in the process of migrating everything from Bear Notes and some stuff from Notion over to Obsidian. Why? Well, Obsidian is free! Sure, Bear Notes only costs 159 SEK a year, but I’d rather put that money toward something else, like ZBrush if I end up liking it. Yes, I know Blender is free, but it’s desktop only, and guess what? ZBrush just launched on iPad! Super tempting! 😁
Speaking of exciting news, have you heard Linkin Park's new track with their new singer? It’s absolutely epic! 😍
🍂New Video Out!
🍂 What to read next?
Thank you so much for your generosity and support!