fat butches are magic

as an artist, or more specifically an artist trying to make a living off my work, there is a major pressure to create based on what the algorithms enjoy — instead of what my heart wants me to do.

these two things sometimes do align, but they very often don’t. the algorithm is racist, fatphobic, and notoriously does not appreciate butch things. (I’ve even been told to avoid using the word butch since it apparently hurts your views or whatever. I don’t know if this is true, but it certainly feels like it!) anyways, I try to allow myself a project here and there that I know will not necessarily be popular or sell at all, but will bring me great joy! and boy, does this print bring me joy.

Not just because I created a fat butch from my dreams, although that’s surely part of it! This print was started months and months ago, and it definitely challenged me in a technical sense as I have never really done a portrait print with this type of shading, or even such an intricate frame design. I actually made the mistake of finishing the lettering and frame first, which left me with the paralyzing fear that if I fuck up the figure I’ll have wasted hours and hours of labour. honestly though? I want to cut off that part of me - the capitalist within me that exists against my own will! why am I so afraid of wasting labour? especially when it’s time spent doing what I love?

I often find myself thinking ‘if even just one person feels joy from this piece then it will have been worth it.’ my question is, why can’t that one person be me?

thanks for reading! You can find yourself a print here