✦ aph ✦

aph • 27 • she/her • COMMISSIONS: OPEN

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

After being called an animal abuser among many other names and consulting with people I trust, I decided to share my side of the story. No, I am not an animal abuser, and here is my truth.

https://t.co/7iXwR0J2bA

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

i totally get you.
i get disheartened too more often than i’d like to admit. in the past i’ve thought about giving up on my art expression entirely, lowering prices and in turn giving less quality than what i know i can give in hopes of being able to make rent. or solely focusing on what sells. other times when i’ve felt more hopeless than ever i’ve thought of refunding/finishing what i owe and just leaving without a word.
but despite still to this day telling myself that there’s no point, it’s been years, it’s never going to change, etc, i can’t seem to completely convince myself of it for some reason. there’s always a small “but what if…?” after. it also helps me immensely to know that there are still people who enjoy seeing my art, and most people are kind to me. all of that is enough to keep me from giving up entirely. plus, if i were to give up, all the years i spent will have been for nothing. and, as petty as this is, the people that hate me & spread rumors or whatever the case may be get to feel satisfaction from it, and i don’t want to give them that. lol

it’s tough to banish our feelings of course, so i can’t say much else about that other than to never direct your frustration to people that aren’t really a problem, like some people are doing right now. it will probably hurt you more than anything. but my biggest advice is to just keep going, really. keep drawing what it is you’re passionate about drawing, maybe try to find a little community within this one that enjoys the same things too. it will help with inspiration and it might even make you happier. in turn you might interact more, and people will gradually start to see you. one day it could be your turn even if it’s not as soon as you’d hoped. when you realize you’re no longer struggling you’ll be so glad of your efforts.

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

i was once an artist that used to be “popular” and fell off years ago, so i deal with similar problems that others do. i add this because ive had the opportunity to experience both sides, so i really do understand some of the feelings that can come from both, most notably seeing people more successful than you when you’re struggling to get by

with that being said, i don’t think it’s the artist’s fault for charging what they want or can on their art. it’s true that you can charge more the more supporters you have, and frankly i feel that that’s just normal, even if in this example they are charging what seems like a lot for a stick figure to many. i don’t think by doing that they are taking money away from small artists or anything though and i don’t think it’s a fault of anyone’s. to me that’s just how it works, not even just in our community. of course we can feel bitter when many of us are struggling and we see others doing much better, but i genuinely don’t think it’s anyone’s fault or responsibility.
we are all aware of the algorithm here, and it’s not like there are really any sites left that don’t use them. in my opinion, it’s much harder this way. i came from deviantart where this wasn’t the case, and everyone following you was guaranteed to see your posts. here it’s different, and i imagine it’s much more difficult to get any kind of visibility, esp if you’re just starting out and/or you don’t interact much. unfortunately i feel like since the death of art sites, getting eyes on you has more to do with forced connection and consistency than people simply just enjoying your art and posts, and you have no choice but to rely on others liking or relating to your art enough to retweet it, too. it sucks to have to rely on other people so much now but idk if there’s actually anything anyone can do about it

[𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 @blitzburied]

to be so honest i really dislike that people can get so popular that youre allowed to color a stick figure and people will throw however much money you say, but smaller artists lower prices for the third time this month because they cant afford food and no one will comm them.

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

i agree. again, i understand their frustration..but it shouldn’t be aimed at anyone; it’s no one’s fault. being so openly hostile to people that have done nothing wrong (to my knowledge) other than be more successful than you is probably doing more harm to your own image than anything.
unfortunately, i’m under the opinion that lots of these people recognize that big artists are just people too, they just don’t care. to many, follower count = $. i saw a post going around bashing this guy’s commission prices last night and the sad part is that they really weren’t outrageous.

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

after looking thru some of the comments on the stick figure artist’s post i want to add that it kind of bothers me that a lot of ppl expect others with big platforms to boost artists with small followings just because their platform is big 😕 angrily too!!! it’s not the first time i’ve seen comments like that either but i do want to touch on that i guess

realistically it’s just not a stranger’s responsibility to do anything for other strangers just because of their reach.. none of us are entitled to a complete stranger’s help, and the people that do try to help smaller artists out—big reach or not—do exist and do that for us all the time!! it’s a very kind thing for people to do for us, and they do it just because, not because they are trying to get people to leave them alone :c
i think if you want more visibility from someone with better reach, maybe drawing them something instead would be a much better approach ☹️

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

medicine cat that carries herbs in her pelt, although most often her pelt carries marigold since it’s one of the most-used healing herbs

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

after the warrior cat game disappointment i picked up wolfquest again and i’m having so much fun on it that i’m trying to get like everyone i know to play it with me 😭😭

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

reminder that c0mms are open!!!!!

take a look >:3c
if you want something that isn’t listed, just let me know and we can probably work something out!!

i’m also offering warrior cat sheets right now, so ask about those if you’re interested!🩷

https://t.co/jYLedKI1Uq

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

@hunnikyuu omg thank you!!!

i would love that!!! i really enjoy doing them! 🐈‍⬛ 💕

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

another warrior cat comm >:3c

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

REMINDER !!!! these r still open!!! 🩷 🐈‍⬛

((i’m still working through my queue but ive been a bit under the weather so they’re taking a little longer than i initially thought they would, just an fyi!!!!))

[notglacier @notglacier]

if your art looks bad it's because of your brushes. you don't have nearly enough. download every brush pack you see ever and Never practice fundamentals

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

THE TIME FOR APH-ASSIGNED WARRIOR CATS HAS COME AGAIN.!

to do these i take inspo from ur profile!!! i take vibes from ur art style, interactions, interests, etc!!! i can also work from selfies on request 🩷💛🩷💛

these can be finished rather quickly!
💲6️⃣5️⃣
more info in thread!!!

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

REMINDER !!!! these r still open!!! 🩷 🐈‍⬛

((i’m still working through my queue but ive been a bit under the weather so they’re taking a little longer than i initially thought they would, just an fyi!!!!))

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

THE TIME FOR APH-ASSIGNED WARRIOR CATS HAS COME AGAIN.!

to do these i take inspo from ur profile!!! i take vibes from ur art style, interactions, interests, etc!!! i can also work from selfies on request 🩷💛🩷💛

these can be finished rather quickly!
💲6️⃣5️⃣
more info in thread!!!

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

CHIMKIN !!!! 🐓 cmm

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

I have some extra Ideas for a survival/life sim too!!!!!

i think it’d be cool to have established clan territories still but have the ability to take over territory like how you can in wolfquest — if you become the leader of the clan or your leader organizes a battle there

i think it would also be rlly cool to be able to do good or evil! determining where you will end up when you die

the ability to take a mate & start a family. also the ability to recruit rogues or kittypets!!!!!!!!

im ngl this one might be controversial but i think permadeath in a game like this would be kinda cool? you would have to take control of your kits or mate after ur death. or obviously if ur a leader u got 9 lives

IDK I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS …these are just a few of many. sometimes i really wish i could be one of those giving my ideas to game devs hahahah

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

IDK i wish the Official warriors cats game was more of a survival/life sim like wolfquest rather than an Attempt at being an rpg. i genuinely think it would have had infinitely more value lol

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

it’s not like the worst thing ever but i wouldn’t even rly call it good tbh
i already had low expectations before playing it because almost everything i have ever seen produced by the erins looks extremely cheap so i already assumed the game wasn’t going to be good, but i was Still disappointed?! 😭 my own personal problems are the character customization and the ““story-telling.””

ANYWAY with that being said i still think it’s fun to play for a few hours. if i could buy this again id probably find it on loaded for cheaper or wait for a steam sale tho

[✦ aph ✦ @aph_exe]

sunstar of thunderclan !

[Parental Alienation @PAcumbria]

Narcissists can't stand being alone because alone, there's no one to control, no one to blame, and no one to feed their ego.