Thank you for posting this. Relatable, unfortunately.

This is why I try to avoid talking to others on this site, especially ones with high followers because I always thought they'd see me as just some moocher.

I'm sorry you have to go through this lack of trust and paranoia. Its sucks having thoughts like that in your mind, especially when you just want to draw and share your art.

See, that's not fair either :/ It makes genuine people fearful, or leaves them pushed to one side, simply because of all the "what can I get out of this?" people out there :/

Yeah and it creates this endless cycle of self doubt in both the artist and their fans. Which sucks ass

Yup. Happens with anyone with popularity and/or money.

Honestly this is kinda where my existing trust issues got increased was due to me being more public on doing artwork. I worry anyone that wants to be my friend is only doing it for free stuff since I do like to spoil friends .-.

Honestly, I'm a really trusting person, and I like giving people the benefit of the doubt, but this past month I've just seen people who I thought were genuine show their true colours - and it's really sad to see. Makes you lose faith in humanity a little bit :/

this is unfortunately the way of life, I hate to say at 36 i'm jaded, but I've seen enough to know most people are only out for what they can get out of a person.. as someone who wears her heart on her sleeve and is very much 'what you see is what you get' it baffles me how people can operate that way.

It's a shame, because I imagine the same thing happens to popular Commissioners - like people who buy a lot of art and get "popular" from it. Then it's gotta be a thing of, do they want to try and mooch money from them, or do they want the popularity, or are they genuine?

It's really hard to NOT be jaded, when you make a point of giving everyone fair chance, only to have it thrown back in your face time and time again.

I'm really glad I have the friends I have now, and that I know they're genuine.
I don't know what I'd do without them <3

I get this....this has happened to me recently with some who I thought I considered friends or acquaintances but seems they just told me to fuck off once they got somewhat of a following, and I've seen this in other artists/friends groups to. I just wanna be chill with everyone and if my life isn't constantly pushing at me and if I can remember (Cause my mind is shit sometimes) then I'll chat with those I made friends/acquaintances with. The worst I feel are those who aren't even artists wanting this popularity when it's like I came here to chill, get art, and make friends.......Also it's what made me rarely trust anyone on really being "my friend" which sucks cause I just want to make friends but now I have to be wary. I cannot understanding how these people use others I just can't imagine doing it.....fuck I would hate myself and ask for someone to slap me if I ever did do it.....

This is the sad truth of popularity. :T
It's one of those things that makes me glad I'm a small artist I guess?? cuz I don't have to worry about it all that much. I have enough paranoia as it is haha.

Your art is so gorgeous thoughhhhh, and tbf I'm still smol ;o; <3 Just amazes me that it happens at such a low number comparative to the large guys out there :o

Thank you! ; u ; / <3 Yours is absolutely fantastic! I took a break from fa not too long ago and when I returned your art had improved a tenfold I s2g xD
I think as soon as you've put your name out there, regardless of the amount of watchers, nasty people will just start flocking to you. It's sadly unavoidable. >A<

That's very true. But what it also means is that those who are genuine and want to be your friend feel like they can't because they think you will think that they just want to use them. So it is kinda a conundrum. I for one prefer friendship over material things, but I feel that if I try to reach out to someone who I like who happens to be an artist that they will think I only want to be their friend for free art. Which I don't. There's a few times I tried being friends with people on here but I just end up unnoticed so I kinda just back away. True friends are hard to find when you have high numbers because of people who want to use you, and also because artists don't trust those they do not know.

So true. I think its why some artist(very good and popular artist) tend to treat this like a very strict job, they only come on here to post about comms being open, they take the commissions, then post the finish work. They are never social on here. There are TONS of fake people on here and when you're trying to be genuine yourself you get screwed over from people.

So much this <3

Like.. It's really hard for me to be "cold and calculated" and strictly business. Looks like it's gonna be something I'll have to learn to do :/

nooooooo ;w; I like how you are <3333 just gotta be cautious about people. Thankfully I'm a tiny artist and tend to just stick to myself so I don't have these types of problems much but just give them a good wack upside the head x3 that will fix whats wrong with them!

I've seen this not only in myself but also more often then not with friends I have now. It hurts to see people just see artists, youtubers, etc as just goals and numbers rather then just well people. I've seen so much of this in the years of being around those I trust that gone through this that sometimes its a little heart breaking that one or few people can really change how you see the world and people once you get to that step in life where you feel happy and comfortable financially speaking and loving what you do only to be sullied by the few that act like that.

(Tea)

I get you with this -I'm not HUGE or anything, but I've had people that seemed to be genuine that have turned out to have otehr motives and things, and from what I've heard, it only gets worse the bigger those number grow ;^;

Honestly I think it is something that should be talked about more than it is currently... I like to think I'm a friendly person, but there comes a point where I do start to question things. So, in that regard, I understand. And I won't lie, I do feel that sort of mistrust with people that seem too eager. I tend to feel like I can be TOO shy at trying to get to know peeps, at least when it comes to reaching out myself - maybe it's the fear of it all coming round in a loop.. if that makes any sense? Then again I can be way too open to people aswell when people reach out to me... I just find it so hard to be like.. "professional" and stoic i guess?? I want to be relatable to people, I wanna be myself.. but I do worry sometimes.

But! The thing that matters is the people that you DO already know are trustworthy and you hold close right? Sure, you'll meet people along the way that you might well bond with, but it never hurts to be cautious ♥ And as you said yourself, there is a good side, but the darker side certainly should be addressed at least a bit.

;O; *huggles*

It sucks for those who are genuine friends with people who have high numbers. They are often the gateway to those trying to get numbers. I've seen some sweet people get used by these kinds of people who only use them to get in with their artist friends. However with these things, you develop and eye for genuine people and those who aren't there will be hiccups, but you can spot them from a mile away. It makes it difficult for those who just joined the fandom as well. A double edged sword.

Well no matter what, I appreciate you for you and our limited conversations! I know I don't offer comments to you that often, but I do still care. As for the pageviews I can agree with you there. I've seen time and again where they're treated more like a social status where you can't even TALK to other people unless you have x amount. Popularity and recognition tend to go to people's heads, even when they're not the ones with it!

PREACHING THIS

I shall say although we havent spoke as much as i would like to, but i still pop by your stream lurking while doing other things and the good old imvu days i still consider you as a great friend of mine <3, there is always people who have your back, and people who you will speak to like you wernt apart and such too

I personally love and see you improving and it honestly makes me proud *3*

But keep your chin up, you know where i am!

This is the exact reason I never end up making friends with other artists to be honest, I'm always afraid it will come across as something like this when I am genuinely trying to get to know people. I never note other artists unless it's art related for this reason

My point exactly

It kinda goes both ways. The higher your number gets the less people who are genuine actually WANT to talk to you. It becomes intimidating and they feel like just another number in the thousands. I abandoned my previous account which had a few thousand watchers on it. But the way I paid attention was I actually know the names of people who are frequent commenters or ones who fav all the time. I have had quite a bit of my "regulars" follow me over onto this account, and it's a comforting feeling really. That the ones I already knew found me again and watched AGAIN. If they were willing to watch me twice without prompting, they are good people in my books.

Key point from this hiding artist is: pay attention to your followers and be active with your commenters. I have learned names and recognized hundreds of characters from my followers, and honestly, I feel more free than I used to. I'm not saying you have to, but it has helped me personally. Gives you a better idea of your niche following type.

This is actually what's gotten me down though, a few of my regulars who I thought were really genuine and lovely people ended up showing their true colours to me, and it really got me down because I'd really legitimately thought that they were commenting, coming to streams etc etc because they were lovely people and wanted to help support me. But I found out they were one of those "long term number hunters" and it got me really down to be honest.. :/

this is why with certain artists i super like and seem really nice.. i don't bother really talking much or trying to make friends with. i don't want them thinking i'm some creepo out for 'fame by association' or something.
also i'm really really shy and bad at making friends anyway so i'm always awkward >.>

It saddens me that you wrote about this problem because that means you experienced it recently. I hope you curve all the snakes.

Power to ya !

The worst part is, it's not fair on all the genuine people out there :/ who are gonna get looked over, or be approached with caution when they haven't deserved that :/

Sad but true :C

You just have to be cautious. But it'll be worth it because true friends will stand by your side ^^

I'm glad I have so few watchers, then xD
But on a serious note, this really sounds like a strange situation to be in.