An Open Letter
Added 2026-01-13 15:48:27 +0000 UTCIn the past, I've always been pretty transparent here about my thoughts and ideas about what happens on this site and what my ideas are. But I'll be honest with you. I have no idea if any of this can still exist.
I'm demotivated. I've been doing this for over 10 years now, and I've never been so demotivated. Fucking AI is everywhere. Censorship is everywhere. My X/Twitter account gets banned, while AI child porn can still fucking exist on social media like DeviantArt and Twitter/X.
I'll be honest with you, there's no growth here. I work my ass off; I've written stories, drawn pictures by hand, and put in thousands and thousands of hours of work, just so people can upload my stuff for free on some websites. They even give away entire folders of my work without me seeing a single cent of it. I can really understand when people don't want to pay for it; everyone is free to do so. But giving MY work away to others for free? Fuck you if you're reading this.
That's why I am infinitely grateful to EVERYONE who has ever supported me. Some people have spent thousands of dollars here over the years. You helped me with my education as a graphic designer. I was able to live my childhood dream because I always wanted to be an artist and share my pictures with people. Making a living from it is simply an incredible enrichment in my life. So THANK YOU!
But unfortunately, it's not enough anymore. Life is getting more and more expensive. The euro-dollar exchange rate is terrible. Taxes are deducted, and Patreon takes a cut for itself. At 32, I still live in a shared apartment with two other people. Simply because I LOVE doing this job. I do without vacations and luxuries, without showing off or any other great things. I am happy with the small things I have. Such as a wonderful girlfriend, who is also supporting me here, helps me with ideas, and always has my back. Or that this is my hobby and my work at the same time; I love the freedom and that I can do whatever I want.
Unfortunately, obstacles keep getting put in my way (bans, AI, robbery, or even the algorithm). That's why I'm thinking about whether all of this is still worth it. Do people even want to see my work anymore when they can download AI slop or generate their own AI slop because it's cheaper than supporting a real artist?
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to assert myself over the last few years, and other big NSFW artists have overtaken me. I don't know why or what I did wrong. Unfortunately, that's just how it is now. I want to be honest with you: I don't know what to do anymore. Should I keep doing this until I go under? Should I learn something new, since graphic designers are no longer in demand because of AI? I don't know.
Thanks for reading this anyway.
Peace out
Comments
I wont, for now, no worries π
VIIPERART
2026-01-22 16:09:33 +0000 UTCNooooo my goat dont quit
Mid Way
2026-01-21 02:41:00 +0000 UTCI don't know but I'm just throwing darts and ideas at the wall but have you thought about working or collab on a doing a game with your art style? I mean something I don't know like Something Unlimited/ Behind the Doom but with MCU with your artwork style. It would be something amazing/cool to see something new a different to work on, Like I said I'm throwing ideas out
ryan
2026-01-14 20:11:34 +0000 UTCAmen! I really wish more platforms would add add options to filter out all that AI slop that keeps popping up everywhere. And seeing that sentiments like that aren't all that uncommon there is still hope. So try to keep your spirits up, good artists like you who put in the work will prevail in the end, I'm sure of it!
Neraced
2026-01-14 19:50:03 +0000 UTCI was thinking a collab too like a vn game with his art or like mcu but with something unlimited style game but the people claiming it to get for free will be a pain but at the same time the word will be out for how the art looks absolutely amazing
ryan
2026-01-14 01:30:10 +0000 UTCI definitely mirror other sentiment towards AI and content theft. AI and theft is fucked, and people engaging with it are actively harming the community by exploiting others. I love your content. Iβll keep paying for it as long as youβre willing to do it and I wish you nothing but happiness, and success in your ventures and life. As to a fix to your current situation.. Iβm not sure sorry. Maybe collabs with other artists? Band together and build a new platform so you can set your own guidelines? Iβm not sure if thatβs even feasible but Iβm just thinking out loud I guess. I hope you donβt put down the pencil but if your happiness is on the line then Iβd take your happiness over the content any day. Just the thoughts of a patron.
Roman
2026-01-14 00:19:40 +0000 UTCThank you so much. That really encourages me a lot. Unfortunately, I rarely get such feedback, and it's nice to hear that I can really entertain people with it and that they look forward to it. π€
VIIPERART
2026-01-13 21:55:01 +0000 UTCFUCK AI. For real tho you are an amazing artist and I love the new amazing work they you bring to the table. I look forward to a new piece every single time when you start teasing a new one. Ever since you started your first story/comics I get excited for the new different style you are doing. For example when You started to work on the Stranded Pleasure and Sweet Escape I was excited and thrilled to see you do something different btw those 2 stories are my favorite of the bunch you have done. Without a doubt I subbed to annual plan not because I wanted to it's because your artwork is worth it to stay for a long time and I love seeing the amazing new stuff you do.
ryan
2026-01-13 21:12:34 +0000 UTCOh, there are some AI-generated artworks that seem SO human that I even commented on and retweeted some of these "artists'" to support them, just to notice days later that it was just generated and not even one pencil stroke was taken. Sadly, it gets better and better from day to day. But yes, an AI-generated artwork, with no passion, no work, and no love, is just dumb. I sign that. I know, the world got expensive; that's why I lowered the price on my popular tier and deleted the $25 tier a while back.
VIIPERART
2026-01-13 17:30:46 +0000 UTCAI "art" is 99.9% dumb, same poses, same few styles (when it's not just stolen styles), it alway feel like no soul, we still need real artists, as for the free sharing I think it's unfortunatly unavoidable throught I can understand that peoples can't alway support creators, I myself has to cancel some subscriptions cause it became too expensive.
SnapSnap
2026-01-13 17:15:49 +0000 UTCNo, that won't happen. I will never stop doing art. In what way so ever. I did music, I did poem/songwriting, and I did traditional drawing and design. These things I will always do. No matter what. I also used AI; I still use it as a tool. In Photoshop, for example. I suck at drawing background environments and stuff; the generative tool in Photoshop helped me with depth and architecture. I will never ever steal someone's art/art style and sell it as mine. Thank you very much. I will take my time, see what's happening in the future, and decide what I will do.
VIIPERART
2026-01-13 16:55:22 +0000 UTCAI canβt ever beat true art, doesnβt matter how advanced it gets itβll never feel the same
James
2026-01-13 16:50:16 +0000 UTCI am also a professionally trained Graphic Designer. While I have used AI recreationally for fun, I have never used it to replace creative works I would have done myself or that I would have paid a real artist for. Nor have I ever posted anything that I have cause AI to generate. This is because in my eyes it's inferior and while a fun little tool, it will never replace a real artist, like you. I believe there will always be people out there that want to see your art. That value real human creativity more than a 15 second prompt. The problem is visibility and helping those people find you with all this AI slop flooding the internet. So I can understand if the best choice for you is to seek better horizons. Just know that your art is appreciated by people. Even if you decide to stop with Patreon, please don't stop making art. Even if it's just for yourself. AI is already killing so many future artists by giving them an easy out and removing their need to build their artistic talent, don't let it kill your creative spirit.
Aris
2026-01-13 16:49:36 +0000 UTCI sign that to 100%! It Would be easier if it were just the AI that was bothering me.
VIIPERART
2026-01-13 16:32:50 +0000 UTCThat's really nice to hear. Thank you so much. Yes, times are getting hard as a creative being, sadly. Hopefully all this AI stuff will be gone someday, at least in the creative aspect.
VIIPERART
2026-01-13 16:28:51 +0000 UTCAI will never have the intention and personal touches that an artist has. It only ever steals, never creates. I like supporting artists on here because I know that their work is unique. Please donβt stop because of AI. It would be such a shame.
thriftjam
2026-01-13 16:18:40 +0000 UTCI love your art! I could get AI slop for free, but I feel there is value in your art and it is worth me spending money on it! I feel your despair, art is on another precipice where capitalism and AI are shifting paradigms, currently to the detriment of creative people! I will support your fine work until you decide to stop! Please take care of yourself and know you have supporters here who value and cherish your work!
JLA
2026-01-13 16:08:10 +0000 UTC
