nuclear waste aerobics

Hey maaria. I know you probably get these a lot but I know how much they would mean to me to get so here it goes. You’ve inspired me so much. I’ve always been so afraid. So worried about not being good enough. Not being noticed. But after reading and watching you online for so long I realized I shouldn’t be afraid. I know what I want to be and what I want to become. Seeing you work so hard everyday. Never letting anyone get to you or discourage you. You have no idea how much that means to me. Your Art, story, and characters are all an inspiration and motivator. I know I still have so much to learn about art and I still have a long way to go until I’m even close to where I want to be. I just want to say thank you. Even though you unknowingly did so, you’ve really saved me from giving up.

(left out your name in case you prefer that)

Hello! Truth be told I’m such a private person online that it’s actually kinda rare for strangers to open up to me like this. But I really appreciate hearing your thoughts, without it I would’ve had no idea there’s a person like you out there.

I feel really honored that I’ve been an inspiration to someone, that’s just about the best flattery I can think of. Thank you so much for following my blog. I hope you realize, though, that what you see on the internet is only the “highlights reel” of anyone’s life. I may have gotten this far with my artwork but it hasn’t been an easy journey, I too have my share of struggles and insecurities that strike me down sometimes. Everyone has, it’s perfectly normal. But all that pain is absolutely worth it because at the end of the day, creating a thing of your own is AMAZING and a talent that’s always worth cultivating no matter what!

Useful advice I heard sometime, can’t remember from whom: if you don’t like your own art, it means your taste is good but your skill hasn’t caught up to that level yet. Basically you’ve already got what it takes - just figure out the specifics of what you want to learn and keep trying until you get there. I’ve never met a talented artist who isn’t super critical of themselves, it’s a good thing, you’re on the right track. Keep being awesome!!

Here’s the thing though, a pet-peeve I’ve had for years: the whole time I’ve been remotely good at drawing I’ve had the occasional person come up to me and ask if I could draw some porn. I’ve declined basically every time, I’m not really feeling it you know? No biggie right?

But a little too often I’ve met with the implication that people who aren’t into porn are actually just shy/sensitive/naïve/prudish/stuck-up/broken or simply in denial about liking porn. That’s… really kind of a rotten attitude to have, ok? Don’t make judgements on people by their interest or lack of it, we’ll all be much happier that way

(Funnily enough I actually do draw NSFW material once in a blue moon, I just don’t share that stuff online)