✨ SPECIAL EVENT | When artists take revenge
#23 An Evening by the Fire, episode 1
Dear little demon,
Welcome to the edition #23 of the Art Missive! We are 3,150😈 in this newsletter. Whether you have been here from the beginning or you have just arrived, thank you so much for reading ❤.
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In this Art Missive
⌛ Reading time : 15 minutes
💪 Goals:
Connect with other artists
Get inspired
Stay motivated
An Evening by the Fire
Today's Art Missive is a special one. I'm trying out a new concept: "An Evening by the Fire." This concept is designed to create a sense of community among all the little demons who have subscribed to this newsletter.
Being an artist can often feel lonely, and loneliness is the quickest way to lose motivation and determination in our artistic journey.
But now that you've joined the Art Missive, you're not alone anymore. I want you to feel that you are part of a tribe, a gathering of like-minded individuals who share a passion for being an artist.
That's why last week, I collected many stories from members. Participants responded to the topic, "Tell me the story of your art revenge." This intentionally broad topic allowed me to gather numerous incredible stories. I want to thank you for opening up a part of your history and your heart to me.
I've selected four of these stories to share with the community. The fifth one is from me.
So let's begin with edition #23 of the Art Missive, the first Evening by the Fire.
Now, switch off the lights, find a comfortable chair or settle into your cozy bed.
Take a deep breath...
And exhale...
As you breathe softly, you are transported to a charming forest on a summer day.
It's dark, but the big fire illuminates the surroundings.
You are surrounded by other people, artists like you. They all may look different, but they all have smiles on their faces as they welcome you.
You can feel a warm atmosphere, see joyful and kind glances, and hear the sound of crickets singing throughout this summer evening.
Welcome to an Evening by the Fire.
Tonight, you will spend some time discovering other people's stories. These stories will make you laugh or cry, but all of them will teach you useful lessons about art, but most importantly about life.
And maybe, next time, you'll share your own story.
Story 1 - My art teacher was wrong
😈Kacey, @nyx_this86
Like most artists I started when I was very little drawing, doodling, scribbling, decorating walls to my moms exhaustion, but my real encounter with art came when like most kids I was asked what my path in life should be.
I was in middle school, 6th grade, and we had to decide what are path through school would be. You could join the school band and make music you life, you could join the college club to cork tirelessly to a bright and prestigious future, or you could be in the pool swimming from one pond to the next discovering where you might find you place. I could not forsee what I wanted to be doing in 5 years so in the pool I jump.
My first pond was art. My teacher - a typical art teacher with lots of enthusiasm and encouragement - assured us we could all be creative. We painted, we sculpted, and drew all day.
When it was time we came to our first big project we needed to pick a subject to draw on a 11x14 paper. Most of my peers choose cartoons, comics, and animals. I followed suit my choosing Disney's Hercules Hydra monster. The teacher took one look at my refence and said “no way, you can't do this it's too advanced pick something simpler”.
In truth I had never drawn anything that complex and large but I have always been drawn to mythology and who doesn't want a bad ass hydra on their wall? I felt myself sink as I though she could be right; I didn’t know how to complete a piece so big and so many heads.
The amazing trait all artists share and loose is the ability to be fearless in our art. Being so young and not realizing what it takes to be an artist, I dug my heels in and refuse to change my subject I wasn't afraid to fail. The teacher sigh and left me to try.
I worked diligently, pouring my heart and soul into my project. I meticulously traced each line, scrutinizing every detail until my eyes grew weary. To my surprise, and to the disbelief of my teacher, I proved them wrong. My hydra was dead accurate and fierce. I felt a rush of accomplishment and became driven to tackle another large piece.
My teacher didn't believe I could do this! I had no idea neither. But being so young, I was able to be fearless.
I hope that with my knowledge today I can bring back that fearless to tackle my projects with love inspiration and gusto. Lots of people in our lives will tell us we can't but let us be brave and continue moving forward, proving to ourselves and to them that anything is possible.
Story 2 - It’s never too late
😈 Lalo, @Geek_artwork
I took my revenge on life when I made the bold decision to embark on my own path: pursuing further studies in game art at the age of 31.
This brave choice allowed me to merge my two passions, art and video games, and it became a transformative journey. It helped me overcome my depression and meet amazing people whom I consider as friends, which is rare for an introvert like me.
Last week, I was informed that I have been accepted into one of the top game art schools in Europe. Now, I am ready to change my life and pursue my passion full-time.
Story 3 - Hurt an artist and watch as they create a masterpiece out of what you did to them.
😈 Robyn, @artthroughprettyeyes
Revenge.
An act or instance of retaliating to get even for wrongs or injury received.
Seems pretty straight forward unless you're someone who takes karma into account.
I believe in karma. I believe that if a person wrongs you, the universe will act accordingly and deliver revenge on your behalf.
That is why I never truly retaliated after leaving a relationship riddled with domestic abuse.
At least, I never took revenge in the way you may think. Instead, after years of working through the psychological damage, I started to use my creativity to make art based on my experiences with domestic violence.
I take slices of what happened to me, like being told "No one will believe you" and turn them in to works of art
These artworks, usually in the form of watercolor paintings, most often feature portraiture filled with heavy emotions and symbolism.
"No one will believe you" is a stark black and white portrait of a woman, her eyes filled with sorrow and fear despite the absence of irises and pupils. A large, manly handprint over her mouth conveys what it feels like to be told no one will believe you.
Skin&Bones is a portrait of a crying woman, on her knees lifting the skin of her abdomen to reveal the bones beneath. You can see the thoughts that must be running through her mind. 'Do you think I'm thin enough now?' 'You'll love me right once I'm just skin and bones?'
This is the best form of revenge to me.
It puts what he did to me on display for the world to see. Not directly, but enough that it feels vengeful. Cathartic.
While the emotional toll of creating these artworks is high, the reward is even higher. It can be draining to paint from such raw emotions and yet when the work is complete I feel even more accomplished and proud.
And every time I look at one of these paintings, another piece of me heals. I hope they help others heal too.
But this is only part of my artistic revenge.
The other half of the story plays a huge role in what motivates me to become a full-time artist.
In the worst years of that relationship I wasn't creating. I wasn't creating because he repeatedly told me I wasn't good enough. That it was a waste of time. That the only things of importance were him and my ability to make money. And you can't make money as an artist.
This is the fuel I use every day when I show up to pursue my dream.
I will prove him wrong. I will improve my art year after year and expand my community and reach new levels in the business of being an artist until I achieve my goal of creating a full, sustainable life from my artwork.
Hurt an artist and watch as they create a masterpiece out of what you did to them.
This is my artistic revenge.
Story 4 - The day I was a villain and I met my hero
😈 Heidi, @honey.harbinger
Usually when I think of revenge, I would think of villains.
And that’s exactly what I was.
But in every villain story, there is also a hero…
Every year, I would go to camp, but I hated sports we had to play so much that I would rather be sitting on a hillside and drawing. Hence, I always brought my sketchbook everywhere with me just in case I had a spare moment.
Well, it just so happened that one of the staff’s children had found my sketchbook on a table. Just like any little child would do, he started drawing…
I was absolutely horrified when I came back to find him sitting there peacefully drawing away on top of all my hard work.
Now, you’re probably wondering how I’m the villain here... Well, I snatched that book out of his hands. After all, that was all of my time and effort he had destroyed in just seconds.
But then I looked down at the page, and what I saw was not my destroyed artwork, but his beautiful artwork. It was definitely not perfect, but it was beautiful. Why? Because it was his creation. That little boy had created something that he was proud of. He felt at peace and comforted while drawing, just like I did. So I sucked in my anger and pride, sat down next to him, and we both started drawing together.
I later found out that he was autistic, and drawing was his safe space. So often we can become frustrated with things that aren’t fair, but sometimes we need to see that encouraging and helping someone grow can make the world just a little bit better for someone else. That little hero may not have saved anyone else’s day, but he saved the villain’s day. (Disclaimer: this is not supporting stealing or ruining other’s artworks).
Story 5 - Regard Noir’s revenge
😈 Your Mama Demon.
I come from a humble immigrant family where art was not seen as a viable career choice. Becoming an artist never crossed my mind. I was expected to become a lawyer or a doctor.
And that’s what I did.
Best grades in middle school
Best grades in high school.
My life was dedicated to becoming a high performing student.
And I was good at it: I joined one of the most prestigious universities in France, the same institution that has educated all of the Presidents of France.
As my family was poor, I had to find a way to finance my studies. So, at the age of 19, I started my own business and used the income to cover my expenses.
For 5 years, I studied.
I did not draw a single drawing for at least 7 years.
I specialized in International Law.
I worked in Law firms.
I was good at what I was doing.
Then, depression hit me.
If you've ever experienced depression, you know how it leaves a mark on you. Allergic to life, the future you've built no longer holds any meaning.
Getting out of bed at that point was a feat in itself. And I said to myself, "Fuck that, I want to spend my life drawing badass demon girls with pretty horns."
Of course, depression takes years to heal. But I had a new purpose that would keep me from sinking.
So I held on.
I picked up my pencils. I studied art on my own, on my free time.
I started an Instagram account. I struggled for months without gaining new followers. But I persevered.
At some point, I was juggling being a full-time student, running the business I created to pay for my university, and striving to improve as an artist.
Every day, I would see other students enjoying themselves—partying, going on weekend trips, finding love, shopping with friends, and so on.
While a day in my life looked like this: metro, studies, metro, quick meals, work, art, Instagram, studying, work, sleep.
No restaurants, no trips, no shopping afternoons, no parties. The little free time I had was dedicated to my family.
It was hard. At times, it felt unfair or like I was making the wrong choices.
But I never gave up. I kept going. If I didn't make the effort to build the future I dreamed of, who would do it for me?
I reminded myself that life is filled with challenges and setbacks, but it's how we respond to them that defines us. I chose to keep pushing forward, even when it felt tough.
In 2022, I finally graduated. My business was thriving, and I had become an established artist on Instagram.
All the hard work I had put in had granted me a royal privilege: the choice.
1️⃣ I could keep on working in the law firm and become a successful lawyer (and make my parents proud)…
2️⃣ I could continue to focus on my business and become a successful entrepreneur…
3️⃣ Or I could wholeheartedly pursue my childhood dream and become a successful full-time artist…
You know that in the beginning of 2023, I made the bold move to go for an artist career. It was undoubtedly the toughest route I could have taken.
I left behind my diploma and stable career opportunities. It was a true identity crisis: I had built a character to become the perfect little soldier. Being disciplined, organized, and hardworking was part of "Léa's" identity.
But I let it all go.
And I did it for freedom and adventure.
I did it to make the eyes of 8-year-old little Léa shine bright with excitement and pride.
As you read these words, I've just received my first paycheck from the money I earned as an artist.
I may not be a fully established professional artist yet, and I know I have a long road ahead of me.
But this is my journey.
This is my act of revenge.
So, this story is not about working tirelessly until you burn out.
It's not about defying your family's wishes either.
It's about defining your own goals.
It’s about prioritizing your dreams.
It’s about working smart to create the opportunities that will make you happy.
It’s about loving yourself.