Sta.sh
As seems to be my new normal, since Trotcon I have been completely craptastic at responding to emails, comments, direct messages, carrier pigeons, semaphore, and everything short of a lawn dart to the back of the skull. For that I apologize, it’s not my intent to be so darn difficult to get ahold of! Work has been overwhelming as I returned home just in time for the dreaded crunchtime. Pony projects and responsibilities and preparations are piled up and I’m swimming in a sea of stress. But good stress! The stress that comes with lots of excitement and activity… just not nearly enough time or hooves to hold it all!
I just wanted to take a quick break from the chaos to again express my appreciation for everything and to everyone who has been supporting me emotionally and artistically over the past year and a half here on Deviant Art. You’ve all been spectacular and I wouldn’t be here, still drawing cartoon pastel horses if not for your kindness and encouragement and inspiration.
I have been asked, fairly recently, about how to become popular. But it’s a question based on a false premise. Popularity is an illusion. Popularity is fleeting and unsustainable. The truth of art is simply doing what you love in the hope that others will find something within your work to love as well. Sometimes everyone does. Sometimes nobody does. And sometimes one or two people let you know that you work has inspired them and given them a reason to create. That is the way in which art is immortal. That is what makes me spend my meager free time drawing ponies and sharing my sometimes-awkward thoughts and feelings and jokes and ideas with the world. There is no comparison in the world, no amount of followers on any or every website that can compare to the joy I find in knowing my art makes the smallest of impact and inspiration in others lives and creativity. To say I am blessed is an understatement. To say I am grateful to each of you is woefully inadequate.
The philosopher Epicurus wrote- “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” For my own part, I have more than I could have hoped or dreamed of. I have friends and purpose and happiness beyond measure. And for that, and so much more, I thank you all.
Actually, I think I already know the answer to that: Sell out and have no shame.
Or, at least that's the easy way of doing it. There's also hard work and a lot of luck, but that's probably not what they want to hear.
Also, nice little speech on popularity. On the rare occasions I actually do something, I go through a cycle of feeling (overly) on top of the world because I actually found time, then a little inadequate when no one says anything, the satisfied when I see that at least it made a few people smile.
Actually, it's probably good I'm not popular. I wouldn't handle it as well as you.