Dealing with bullying in the community

[GarzaGoose]

You're right man, theres no reason to stop where I'm heading over some people!

[GarzaGoose]

Yea, I Usually handle that fine, but attacks on what I worked on so hard is a bit demoralizing. I'm sure I'll grow used to them over time!

[GarzaGoose]

Yea haha that's a good way of looking at things, at the end of the day it really just is a screen I'm looking through. What matters is what I believe in! :'D

[GarzaGoose]

Sometimes it can be hard to even differentiate genuine criticism compared to straight up hatred. Specially Mob mentalities. Some communities are too toxic it seems. But I'm definitely trying to find common people, I've been lone wolfing it too long. It feels lonely at times.

[GarzaGoose]

Thank you man! I'm definitely trying to stay afloat and keep pushing forward. At the end of the day it remains a hobby and maybe I shouldn't take it so seriously.

I do notice that the usual suspects tend to be people who only consume and create nothing. So that gives me some confidence, if they themselves can't create anything, why should I listen so intently to their hatred?

[GarzaGoose]

It's about our journey no? Everyone has such an altered ego yet they themselves can't bring anything to the table. It's disheartening but I can't even imagine how other people feel who have successful works and get even more baseless hate.

[GarzaGoose]

Thank you! Yea I'm trying not to cloud what I set out to achieve. I knew I was gonna stick out with my odd work and I thought I was prepared for some harsh words.

Gotta keep them at bay and push forward!

[GarzaGoose]

Yea for sure, I guess I caught up with the negativity and forgot to see the big picture. There's tons of artists with divise crowds, yet they strive forward!

If someone doesn't like my stuff that should be okay. I made it for me more than anything, it's supposed to fill a small niche that I never got enough of.

[GarzaGoose]

Thank you all, I took some time to go outside and interact with nature. Had to clear my mind and rethink everything. It's heartwarming to see how everyone deals with issues like this.

Let's push forward!

[thepenmonster]

As of lately, I've been receiving a ton of hate and harassment.

You are under no obligation to show someone who has decided to do you harm any sort of kindness. By their actions they have forfeited that.

Remove them from your presence as quickly as you can. Block! Block! Block! If an online platform does not, or will not, give you the tools to do this leave the platform.

If that proves too difficult for you, and I understand since we're all slaves to our ego gratification machine, escalate to the powers that be if you feel they posted something that can get them banned. Trolls hate having their voices removed more than anything else in their lives.

If you need to escalate further, use whatever means necessary. But be wary because the tools you use can be used against you.

[GarzaGoose]

You're right, there's absolutely zero reason I should be putting up with trolls. Don't know why I let it get to me this time.

[abigaillmartin]

As one of my friends says. “Don’t feed the trolls.”

[llobucervallince]

honestly, if you recieve any bullying in here it must come from jealousy and envy because your comic and art are definetly one of the best when it comes of the real indie comunity in this website (my opinion, of course.).

your art is amazing and your story is definetly one of the most originals around, without being really that confusing for people who might not be used to these themes. keep up the great work and be sure that you have many people supporting you, IRL, in this forum, and your readers on the other side of the screen.

[lomcia]

The harassment on the internet is awful, especially in the art community. I've had a few different situations. most of the time I was homophobic and transphobic (which I'm not) but it was convenient. then everyone crosses you out without even asking why. one day I was suddenly accused of stealing a style. I don't know if you can steal a style.... never mind, but I was accused of that and a lot of other things. it all came together.
the opportunity was seized by people who didn't tolerate me very much. really ugly comments were left under my comics. even my private messages to my friends. yes, it got so bad that people who I thought were my friends stabbed me in the back. they accused me of writing ugly comments and threatening myself. it got to the point where people who I thought were my friends told me that I was sick and needed to get treatment and take care of my family in general. to Remove all social media and all. I cried all the time, finally I deleted discord. i quit my job for a tapas-like site because i couldn't work with people who stabbed me in the back. six months i was afraid to add anything on the internet. but i had one such dear friend, also an artist. she lifted my spirits, encouraged me to talk to new artists and not to be afraid. it was a long mental journey. still sometimes i have nerve tricks for some words i get trigger. I won't tell you not to worry, because it's hard. I'm now a 35-year-old woman and I took it terribly. But as you can see, I continue to draw. There are people who appreciate my advice and my comics. Just don't give up. You like to draw, draw. There will be worse days and better days, but when you have a real friend by your side it will be easier. Hang in there dear and don't give up.

[GarzaGoose]

Awe dang thank you man! I really appreciate the kinda words. Your work is incredible too!

[GarzaGoose]

It's astonishing how awful the art community can be at times. You'd think that like minded people wouldn't spew unearned hatred at each other. Guess it's a combination of crab mentality mixed with superiority complexes.
Glad you're doing better now!

[Calculus_Homework]

I hope you're feeling better since this was posted in the forums! Looks like you had some down time to get outside and be away from the crap. That's good!

I really don't intend for this to sound snooty in any way, but I gotta share this observation that I'm sure others have gathered as well...

Online is pretty much a cesspool. In fact, a good percentage of online users are bots. And those bots don't even sound like bots from 2003 anymore, they sound like random strangers and can be indistinguishable unless you deep dive profiles and whatnot to get answers. (Don't do that, you'll drive yourself crazy. lol)

The real art community is irl. I understand that we're all online now, and we feel like we can't make any progress or traction with work and "success" without validation from internet platforms... but art has, and always will be, so much more than what's online nowadays. The vast majority of artists I've met in real life, at school, at my jobs--are genuinely wonderful people trying to lift each other up, learn from each other, and get better at their skills in their own time.

It's good that you want to value what other people say when they have critique for you... But critique should really be asked for, imo. I don't know what kind of bullying you are receiving, but sounds like they're just trying to dunk on you. And bullying is never warranted--even if you're a bully being bullied. It's just wrong and unproductive. Goes nowhere.
(Playing devil's advocate here, but... Always be self-analytical in what you put out on the internet. If someone responds with a genuine, "Hey, man. That's messed up to say." Then maybe think about why, and even have a talk with that person to get to the bottom of why a post or piece of your work caused a bad reaction. Always be learning. But again, from what you're saying, you're literally being bullied straight up. lol)

I concur with what other people are saying in the comments. Seriously, dude. If they're just hate comments, get rid of that crap. You don't need to see it, and others don't need to see it when they come to read your comic.
The art community is overwhelmingly wholesome and good to be a part of. But don't rely on social media platforms for it... go and put yourself out there in a local place, or take classes and meet people who are there to learn like you are. They're gonna be your friends for life.

[Calculus_Homework]

May I ask where exactly you're receiving these hateful comments? Is it on tapas, your youtube, or other platforms? (You don't have to answer. I'm just being nosy. lol) But you've got a great audience on tapas from what I was viewing in your comment sections.

[thepenmonster]

The real art community is irl.

I quoted this for the truth herein.

[NickRowler]

Some of it can be where you are seeking out said community. Sometimes on the surface the group might seem inviting but overtime you notice something isn't quite right. I think at that point, it's best to jump ship and find a new group.