I’ve always wanted people to enjoy my art and illustrations but I have always felt like it was wrong of me to try and self promote. I have always felt like I am weird and awkward and no one Really wants to know what I am thinking or doing in my life. This is probably why I hate social media so much and why it’s weirder still that I decided to be a graphic designer in this day and age. I also have a hard time making any money because of this unwillingness to self promote and it’s been a big problem in my life.

I found myself on Reddit recently posting a picture that I had created (see post below for the picture I had posted). I didn’t think much of it and it was way past my bed time so I went to bed. I woke up in the morning and found that it was getting a lot of attention from the sub reddit I posted it on and a lot of people asking for my Instagram. Now I had a dilemma, I had no Instagram and no other social media besides aforementioned Reddit and my lonesome website that nobody ever visits. Nevertheless, I was faced with a decision to make. Do I make an instagram again? Do I give in and feed the machine that I absolutely loathe. I did. I frantically set up a half assed Instagram account and linked it to my neglected website. Put some print on demand products up and actually got a few sales. That is what is called synergy baby and that dopamine hit of synergistic accidental self promotion got me to thinking that I could probably do this….right?

Well instead of riding the momentum of this event I got into my head again and this is me trying to work through this insecurity of mine. I know that if I try and set my mind to it, I can do this. I can work on promoting myself without feeling like a sell out and I would probably, most likely, maybe be better off for it?

Thanks for letting me rant into the void.

Here is a video of my process while making a protest sign inspired by a post on the S.L.C. Reddit. The poster had created the original image in AI and while I appreciate the intention behind the post, I am virulently against the use of AI. I also happen to be an artist and graphic designer so what does one do when they have the skill to make their own? They stay up WAY past their bed time and create a version that would be more acceptable. (In my opinion.)

What happened on January 7th and 25th was horrifying and the narrative that the ghouls are spreading is abhorrent and completely expected at this point, which is frustrating. I like many others spent those afternoons crying and while i think it’s healthy to sit in righteous rage, there is also a point in which people need to take action. While I can’t do much to change what’s going on in the world right now, I can use my skills to create things that relieve some of the pain.