Oh fandom. Why do I have even have to explain this.

[beelikej]

From previous experience with the J2_SPN Big Bang I already knew to prepare for a hangover the day after posting my artwork. Not because people aren't lining up to leave loving comments, but because after months of obsessing, creating and artistic fiddling, I suddenly didn't have anything else to do but wait and see if people would notice my work. So I always feel a little empty and lost afterwards.

Not that I had high expectations: I picked a relatively rare pairing and I know not everyone is running to comment after a post appears anyway. I too am way behind in following the spn_reversebang and I also don't always know what to say right away. But this isn't about me or anyone else receiving a lot of comments. It isn't about the quantity or even quality of comments at all.

What does leave me feeling down is the fact that once again all the attention goes to fiction while art is disregarded. I really thought the nature of this challenge would have at least the members and followers of the Reverse Bang community showing their support for the artists. Especially since this time there wouldn't even be fiction if it hadn't been for the artwork prompts!

I did receive some awesome comments (and really, even if they were negative or constructive I would have appreciated them;) but to my utter surprise and annoyment more often the art was passed by on the way to the accompanying story. In the second best case scenario, people left a comment on the author's post to say that the art made them read the fic, but usually they only mentioned their praise on the story.

It's especially frustrating because I can tell from my lj-stats that the artpost gets significantly more hits than my usual posts, so clearly people do at least take a peek at the work.

Fair is fair, I myself hadn't commented on any other artwork for the Reverse Bang yet, so I figured I better do something about that, before bitching about artists not receiving love. I spent my Sunday leaving feedback on all the art that was submitted. And although it was awesome to go through all those posts, it left me even sadder. Because now I know I was not imagining it; the lack of comments on the artwork is truely appalling.

Really fandom? You can't spare a couple of seconds to give credit to the artists? Not even to thank them for inspiring all the fic this time? Fail. Major fail.

We are all in this fandom together and it would be nice if everyone's creative efforts were at least awarded with a bit of attention. You don't even have to pass judgement, a simple 'good job' to validate the effort or a smile to acknowledge the existence of the artist would already mean a lot.

It doesn't matter to me personally; I make artwork to challenge myself and I learn a lot from simply allowing myself time to play with Photoshop (and the occasional old fashioned pencil). The whole experience of dealing with other people and setting deadlines teaches me a lot about myself. I always manage to feel accomplished at the end of a challenge.

I'm also rude enough to call people out and don't mind asking them directly to come over and give their opinion. (I'm also excellent in being passive aggresive about people ignoring me, but I'm working on that). I did indeed lure some people back to my journal, but I'm not gonna keep begging for attention.

If you don't see the time and effort artists put into their artwork, if you can't be bothered to appreciate their contribution to fandom, that's your loss as far as I'm concerned. You should at least know they all put as much love, sweat and tears in their artwork as authors do in their stories. It would be nice if you realize that.

Now get your ass over to spn_reversebang and share some love, dammit.

Comments

[ldyghst.livejournal.com]

I love feedback but I haven't really been getting it lately. Your comment made me all smiley today! :D

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I could make you smile. I was very surprised your mermen didn't get more comments; that is such an awesome prompt, definitely one of my favorites:)

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

Okay....
wasn't going to mention it, because I don't usually like comming of as a bitch. but THIS.HERE!!!
I have so far posted only one reverse bang art.... it has received 5 comments! FIVE! Two of those came today - long after I posted (you and sillie - thank you! I was really depressed that not ONE SINGLE PERSON from my flist had posted any comments), and one is from the author (which I at least think SHOULD comment - but yeah, I have posted bigbang art where the author hasn't even commented).

Anyway - I did get 5 comments and I am happy about those. (2 less than you so far... only counted because I am commenting on your post now)

I honestly don't think it's because I suck at photoshop - because I don't!

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

\o/ Nothing wrong with being a bitch if the situation requires it. I'm sorry it took me so long to comment, that really shouldn't have happened, no matter how busy I was.

I don't mind the low amount of comments but I got irritated when I noticed people mentioning the art elsewhere, yet failing to have the courtesy to respond in my own journal.

Of course when I checked all the other artists I got really pissy. The only ones that seemed to get a reasonable amount of attentions are the people who have well trained flists. I've seen really stunning artwork that only had 3 comments. Quantity is not a reflection of the worth of your work.

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

I think especially for this particular bang it was special - that artists still didn't get the attention, even though it was a reverse bang.
(Sending you a PM)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Well, seeing as there are a lot of artists participating in this challenge, I think we -as artists- need to take a good look at our own sense of selfworth as well. Why doesn't anyone comment on other people's work even? I understand being busy and focused on your own work (Both the excuse of not wanting to be distracted or not having time is valid;) but really, if we want others to pay attention we should acknowledge everyone's art.
Maybe for some people getting fic was their only goal, but that can't be true for everyone, surely.

Got your PM - will mail or message you through chat;)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I am one of the ones that usually pass by the art. I confess. I'm not even sure why I do...eager to read? I don't know.

Your post has reminded me of the sweat equity going on behind the scenes and how work should always be seen and appreciated. SPN? So not my thing, but because you're, well you and I like you I had to see your work. It was fabulous! (Not that I knew who they were or anything! But they looked good anyway!)

I hear by pinky swear to take the time to review and really see the accompanying art from this day forth! ::holds pinky in the air. Kid looks at me like I've lost my mind.:: Your points are too valid to ignore and I at least will not.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for owning up to that;) I too have been guilty of not commenting on both art and stories. I so understand having the need to read and getting lost in a story. And I don't mind if people on my flist don't respond to post about a fandom they don't know. I sure ignore fics that don't appeal to me.

Fun fact: I don't even watch SPN, I have little to none knowledge nor memory of canon, even though artistic_sillie comes over for combined SPN/CSI marathons. Those actors are just so pretty - as you so rightly noted. *grins* Thanks for the compliment on my art:)

Ever since I participated in the BigBang I have tried to at least give attention to people who's story and art I read. They have offered their time and effort and gave me free goodies, I should at least have the decency to say thanks. I don't go round praising everybody but offer concrit to those who can handle it and I sure don't want anyone to feel like they are being ignored;)

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

In previous big bangs, I admit, I've rarely left commentary for artwork. It hadn't occurred to me in most cases. Which is really stupid on my part and I am feeling like a total tool now. I will definitely be paying more attention to it in the future.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Ahw thank you. It's just that the art has been a really big part of both the Big Bang and the Reverse Bang, as set by their own rules. This latest challenge was even especially created to give credit to the artists, so the lack of comments hit extra hard.

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have known about this latest challenge had it not been for you, so my introduction to it was via the Art side. Normally I am coming in from the Fiction side and that's where my focus goes.

But yeah, if this challenge was specifically about making sure the artists received recognition, then the lack of feedback is even more noticeable.

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

Can I just butt in and ask you, since you admit that you haven't paid attention to art, why is that?

I am just trying to understand WHY people seem to think that art is not worth commenting on. Is it because it's thought of as unnecessary to the story (which, okay I can see - but in a bigbang, it is actually half the challenge), or is it because people that are not artists themselves doesn't understand how much work goes into it?

I am just curious, and I don't expect you to be able to answer for anyone other than yourself. But you are here, and therefore easier to find than those who just didn't comment and hasn't admitted that they didn't ;-)

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

Well, mostly I think it was just a matter of focus. My focus is so firmly on the story that I rarely even notice the art. And, sadly, most of the time I do notice it is because it is disruptive to my reading process in some way. And I'm not inclined to leave negative feedback unless I know the writer/artist personally.

Art that doesn't disrupt my reading process is usually relegated to the background by the time I finish reading the story and so I wind up commenting only on the fiction.

None of that is an excuse for me not acknowledging the effort that went into the art, of course.

But I don't really focus on fan art or vids the way I do fic. I haven't trained myself to pay attention to them and the effort that goes into them. I don't do fan art or vids myself, so yeah that has a lot to do with it for me. I do write, or try to, so I understand that process.

Now, this reversebang, because of the stated goals of it and the way the stories are posted, I would definitely pay more attention to the art. Granted, until Bee posted her art I hadn't actually heard about the community. But that's due to my fannish focus being elsewhere right now (away from SPN I mean).

So for a big bang like this, I'd definitely look at the art. I'm not sure how that would translate to feedback though. I do like that there is a specific place to comment/feedback the artists. That would definitely help direct my focus and commenting.

Having a reminder at the bottom of the final part of the story to leave feedback for the artist would definitely, definitely help increase art commentary. It's just too easy to get caught up in the story and forget the art at the beginning (or through out) the story. Or at least, forget to mention it when caught up in the emotion of the story's conclusion.

I appreciate you asking, actually, because it's made me think about it. I dislike being oblivious to the motivations for my actions or in-actions.

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

Thanks you!
I really appreaciate your answer!

I totally see your point. I hardly ever watch vids because I don't make them myself. I write and I make art, so I appreaciate both and try to comment on both.

A link at the end is a very good advice! I have noticed SOME have that, but not many.

Thank you for being so...great really! :-)

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

:D You're welcome!

I'm a big fan of making it easy for people to leave feedback. The less effort needed, the greater the chance for feedback. Regardless of the situation. :)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Gosh, thank you so much for that extensive answer to bflyw's questions.
Funnily enough I can relate, even though I am from the artists' side of fandom. I often get so caught up in a story that I can't even comment to the fic right away, but have to distance myself before I can respond. Or occasionally I'm on such a reading binge I don't allow myself time to comment;)

It's true that if you can't say anything nice, you better not say anything at all. Since I am aware of the work that's put into art, even if it's not a good job, I usually am able to find something positive (or at least constructive;) to say. But it would be hard for me to do with a story I don't like (I usually don't finish reading those anyway, so I don't feel obliged to comment)

Truely awesome of you to give this so much thought.

[aerynvala.livejournal.com]

You're quite welcome. And thank you.

I used to feel more comfortable offering criticism, though I always strove to do it politely and constructively, back when fandom was more e-list based. Everyone was in an entirely public space. On livejournal+clones, the line between personal and public is blurred and even in communities it can feel confrontational to mention problems.

[sillie]

This.

Seriously. Do you mind me quoting and/or linking to this in the near future? I really want more people to read this.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Go right ahead. And if you feel I lost something in the translation of the orignal rant I mailed you, feel free to quote from that:)

[sillie]

So um, yeah. I basically copied your whole post. XD I hope a lot of people'll read it. :)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Heehee. Thanks, I suppose;) Spread the word!

Something that has been weighing on my mind...

[pingback-bot.livejournal.com]

User artistic_sillie referenced to your post from Something that has been weighing on my mind... (http://artistic-sillie.livejournal.com/278226.html) saying: [...] really want people to read this. If you want to comment on the original post, you can find it HERE [...]

I'm Sorry

[hezio2.livejournal.com]

I don't know how I came across this post, but you're right. At least as far as I act as a reader. I often ignore the art, or I treat it as secondary to the fic.
I apologize for that. Many times the art looks very amatuer (not yours, haven't even gone to look at yours, yet, so I truly don't mean yours).
However, even when the art is good, or even great, I rarely comment on it. I guess it never crossed my mind.
So, thank you for opening my eyes to your feelings. From now on, I will comment, unless the art is just awful, then I will just ignore it.
But I resolve to comment on all those I like.

Re: I'm Sorry

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Ahw, thank you very much for reading and responding. And of course for deciding to make an effort to comment on artwork in the future:) I know art is often made to support the story, but in the challenge that inspired this rant all the stories were based on artwork, so I was surprised many people didn't even acknowledge the artists for coming up with the idea.

LVEGlFrkEYNAtLLkFW

[(Anonymous)]

Enjoyed every bit of your article post.Thanks Again. Will read on...