FA+
Shop
Identity of a Hero, Reveal or don't Reveal?
6 years ago
General
Recently, one of the artists I followed deleted their account, on FA, on Twitter. They took down their posts on e621 and various websites and it got me really wondering. Here's some background information:
I was browsing through twitter tags when I came across this artist and it took me half a second to say, "Hey, this art style looks very familiar" (To keep the privacy of this artist, I won't give the name, if you know who this is, I politely ask you do the same). I looked at their main Instagram account and connected the dots pretty easily.
This artist has deleted their account before and made posts apologizing when they returned to FA and Twitter. Though I had not known of this artist (as an NSFW artist) before their first activities on the web, the journal posts made it obvious that they were trying to avoid some kind of connection from their NSFW work and their professional work. They made journals about the freedom of NSFW and what it meant to have it be a big part of their lives, etc, etc. There were journals in which I agreed with, other's that I did not, however, that did not make me look at the artist's art any different. They were skilled in their craft and moreover in their storytelling.
But as you know, they've since taken down their profiles to avoid the drawing of lines between their professional work and personal work. That got me thinking and thus making this post.
I won't say I'm also not guilty of this but it seems that many NSFW artists online and people I know in person, tend to hide their NSFW work separate from their SFW and professional work. Whether this is through personal matters, trying to avoid professional repercussions or simply because they were afraid of their fetishes or sexual desires leaking into their personal life. In more recent times, however, I've come to accept that part of me and is something I don't think I could live without.
Back last year when I dropped off the face of the earth, I was very scared of people finding out about my FA and very much so about my fetishes and such. I denied the fact that I had such a profile and tend to keep to myself. It was only in recent times did I figure, who cares if people see this part of me? I understand that I may not be in a position as the artist I have talked about or have very professional standing, but in my opinion, if I were denied a job because of what I drew on my extra time, it's not a job that I want to take anymore.
I put as a note that people's fetishes differ from one another. Someone like Nesskain Hks on artstation/twitter has a (not very hidden) NSFW profile in which they are open about their bara body type and anthro cravings, something I see as very vanilla (not to throw shade). That being said, when it comes to say, me or taanrak with our shiny and goo fetishes, would artists in similar situations be more inclined to share their NSFW work or would it be something more that you decide to keep a secret?
I was browsing through twitter tags when I came across this artist and it took me half a second to say, "Hey, this art style looks very familiar" (To keep the privacy of this artist, I won't give the name, if you know who this is, I politely ask you do the same). I looked at their main Instagram account and connected the dots pretty easily.
This artist has deleted their account before and made posts apologizing when they returned to FA and Twitter. Though I had not known of this artist (as an NSFW artist) before their first activities on the web, the journal posts made it obvious that they were trying to avoid some kind of connection from their NSFW work and their professional work. They made journals about the freedom of NSFW and what it meant to have it be a big part of their lives, etc, etc. There were journals in which I agreed with, other's that I did not, however, that did not make me look at the artist's art any different. They were skilled in their craft and moreover in their storytelling.
But as you know, they've since taken down their profiles to avoid the drawing of lines between their professional work and personal work. That got me thinking and thus making this post.
I won't say I'm also not guilty of this but it seems that many NSFW artists online and people I know in person, tend to hide their NSFW work separate from their SFW and professional work. Whether this is through personal matters, trying to avoid professional repercussions or simply because they were afraid of their fetishes or sexual desires leaking into their personal life. In more recent times, however, I've come to accept that part of me and is something I don't think I could live without.
Back last year when I dropped off the face of the earth, I was very scared of people finding out about my FA and very much so about my fetishes and such. I denied the fact that I had such a profile and tend to keep to myself. It was only in recent times did I figure, who cares if people see this part of me? I understand that I may not be in a position as the artist I have talked about or have very professional standing, but in my opinion, if I were denied a job because of what I drew on my extra time, it's not a job that I want to take anymore.
That being said, I wanted to hear your guy's stories, whether you are an artist or a commissioner or neither and simply enjoy viewing art that is put out there, what is your take on the "reveal, don't reveal" aspect of all this? Are you hesitant to show your work from friends in general or are you inclined to share if somebody were to ask? Are your friends the type that you hang out with in general? Are your friends open about their fetishes?I put as a note that people's fetishes differ from one another. Someone like Nesskain Hks on artstation/twitter has a (not very hidden) NSFW profile in which they are open about their bara body type and anthro cravings, something I see as very vanilla (not to throw shade). That being said, when it comes to say, me or taanrak with our shiny and goo fetishes, would artists in similar situations be more inclined to share their NSFW work or would it be something more that you decide to keep a secret?
I decided to heck with it and chose this username despite the fact that friends of mine would instantly know it was me. So far only one friend (that i know of) knows i'm a furry, most of them hate furries. Since opening this account, its become a really major part of me, and i'm accepting of the risks. As you put with jobs, so i am with anything here. If something is lost to me because of this, then i'm probably better off without
I do feel sorry for people that have more on the line than me though. Potentially losing a few friends is nothing in comparison to potentially losing your job and livelihood. I'm certainly not brave enough to have this linked to somewhere a work colleague could identify me on here though
I think that was the main reason I stopped with that account. People were so nice and positive to see a "new" person in the community that it just broke my heart to feel like I wasn't being honest with them. It's a lot of pressure to create for two separate "people" in a sense. Huge mental strain for me personally.
I think there definitely is a fine line. I think I was similar back in the day when I was very private about my personal life and who I am and what I do. To some extent, I have become too open and now I'm pulling back a little haha.
When you set up the other account, what was going through your mind and did you realize that you might have faced mental strain as you did at the end of that whole situation? I'm curious to know your motivation and what might have pushed you to simply make a new account than to add to your already existing account.
As far as motivation went, I wanted to try a new style/concepts and thought this was a smart idea. I thought peeps on my normal Rem account wouldn't like or appreciate a bunch of flattening stuff but this new account created the expectation of flattening arts. The new style was definitely the best part. Drawing and rendering in a totally different way than I was used to and to focus on my fave subject matter. I didn't think I'd get so personally connected to it. I see some HUGE artists with alt accounts who can remove the human connection element, but I'm just not like that. I try to connect with peeps if they're interested in me.
What do you mean by not taking work home with you (and also stalking you)? I assume it's like putting yourself into your work which might make you offended or sad if people don't take your work the way you want them to. Or do you mean it literally? (I'm not really sure here I hope you can clear it up).
By 'having your job stalk you', I mean that some employers literally cyberstalk their employees during their off hours. I mean, I can understand why the boss might want to have a word with you for visiting PornHub when you're supposed to be doing market research, but they have no business reprimanding or firing you for what you do with your own time and resources.
But anyway, if an NSFW artist used a "I do it for money and it's just a persona" excuse, nobody would bat an eye. If they did, it's not really a person worth time. There's much worse things one could be doing than drawing weird stuff for people!
For that point of view, I think it just is an easy scapegoat to avoid further interaction or revealing of details you'd rather not talk about. More and more now for me, however, I've been trying to be a little more honest, ya the money aspect is great. I get to pay my insanely high college tuition, but it's also something I enjoy doing and love putting artwork out there for enjoyment!
For a very long time, I was very anxious about people finding out I'm a furry and it was practically impossible for anyone to find a connection between my furry accounts and IRL me, but after a lot of ... growth and internal debate, I've left that anxiety behind and started to commission artwork.
Nowadays, I don't actively announce that part of my life to people outside the fandom, but I'm ok if they do find out.
I actually think that I can be proud of the things that I commissioned - and that includes the NSFW pieces. If someone should stumble upon my stuff, they might find the content not to their liking for whatever reason but at least they have to admit that it is funny, thoughtful, creative or simply very well done art.
For me, I know that if someone did find out, I'd try to play it off and ask them what they thought about it. I tend to talk about the subject before I actually discuss it or even if that time were to ever come.
I'm glad you've made that breakthrough though! Thank you for sharing something about yourself!
When I did, the first person I told it was my brother, who reacted in a very lovely manner :)
I would say your own strategy is sound. It's good if you test the waters first to gauge the reaction.
I hope you continue to enjoy a lot more experiences, I'm glad to hear that your brother was accepting!
Is there something in particular that you are afraid of besides letting people judge you? If it might put your job on the line or if its family matters or if it's purely just the fear of losing respect out of it? I understand that reputation plays a big part as it did for me and understanding that nothing is black and white, just because you cry in public might mean people lose respect for you but it might also have other people who develop respect for you.
Whatever the reason, I hope you continue to enjoy your time in the fandom!
There's a difference between rubbing it in everyone's face and being honest about it. It's not going to be my go-to conversation starter with other furries, but I'm not going to make some big secret of it. I have my regular Twitter and my kink art Twitter under the same handle (no identifiable IRL nudes on it though, that's my hard and fast rule). I just don't think sex should be some big taboo topic, I've even become a bit proud of it as I've gained more attention. Furries as a whole are a very open and accepting community too, they're the last people on earth you have to feel embarrassed over lest they find your hidden desires.
Furries are accepting, sometimes I think a little too accepting and makes me wary haha
I dont think keeping it secret is what I would say I do, but I do keep them separate so that different audiences can enjoy what they want to enjoy without having to see something they dont care for. In terms of showing off your stuff in public/personal life I think it just comes down to knowing your audience. At the office, maybe just show off the sfw and not bring up nsfw. Browsing through a kink shop talking about kink art and maybe show off the nsfw then lean into the sfw stuff. There is a time and place for everything and catering to the mythical wider audience just ends up having less people interested than having two specialized pages so that different people can enjoy different things.
That being said having recently come out to my parents, I will absolutely keep the nature of my nsfw a secret. I will take that shit to the grave.
Also do you have a sfw page? Would love to follow it if you do :)
The point of not mixing them because your audience might not like it hits very close to home. My sfw is much much different from all this latexy goop and more fanart and once posted nsfw of the fanart that people did not react well too (at least from what I saw).
I completely agree that there should be a time and place for everything but I seem extremely black and white in personality (something I'm working on haha) and now trying to find the fine line between everything but end up being told that everything is a base by base situation and there is no set formula for everything. I think that's kinda the reason I made this journal, I had my opinions and I wanted to know everyone else's and so far, it has opened my eyes a lot to different kinds of situations people find themselves in.
Dm me if you want my sfw handle (ΦωΦ)
Ima slide into those DM's for that sweet sfw gold XD
That said, anyone who comes to my house, it's pretty evident if you keep your eyes out. But generally I try to keep things seperate, it's just easier that way. Someone wants to see a web page and I can point them at one and not have to worry about them stumbling upon anything that will make them give me funny looks.