So lately I've been noticing a trend, where every time I RT my own art or promote my Patreon, several people will unfollow- and even block me. This puts me in a weird spot, because even though it's people's prerogative to follow whoever they want, it's also telling of a mindset-

whereby an artist being proud of their work or wanting to make a living off of it is somehow reprehensible.

It's especially perplexing because at some point those same people followed because they liked the art enough to see more of it, but yet are seemingly revolted at-

the idea that there is in fact a person who poured countless hours of work into that piece and needs to make a living just like everybody else.

It's like a new age turn on the romanticism of the starving, tortured artist, who fills the world with beauty for everyone else-

while withering in silence and anonymity.

So here's my take: art takes time and patience and it's often grueling and unrewarding and subject to ridiculous amounts of scrutiny for little in return. If the idea that a person who is willing to put up with all of that-

could still have enough pride to show it bothers you so much, then you do not deserve art.

This isn't 1890- we aren't here to be recognised after we're dead. Get over yourself.