Perplexing Ruins

i appreciate that. my rant had to do with seeming to always being behind peers. It had to do with sticking up for myself. had to do with being an outsider.

yea! i think navigating the fun-into-production-for-survival is one of the nastiest systems we've developed. b/c it feels natural thing to do.
just keep doing your thing.

i think many are tired. hamster wheel of hustle. co-opting fun into work and production etc.
i think declarations of "best" are pretty natural - enthusiasm - i don't believe at all it's a *deliberate* separation and tier-ification. nor do i think it's a "political" thing.
but it does act as wedge

indeed. total subjective. but some people saying "wow" have more "clout, presence, influence, money" than others saying wow.

for every pulitzer prize novel, there's a dozen "better" ones
when the pond is pretty small, it's very easy to create an imbalance

sorry you have that struggle. it's a tough gig, and many days I believe I am not cut out for it. it's constant questioning of whether it's a talent, luck, or personality issue.
if i were just a bit better....it's an exhausting voice to live with, but until you "make it" - it's the only way

We've partnered with @duckandcrow.bsky.social for AND HE SHALL EAT THE SUN, an old-school, tournament-style, ROGUELIKE dungeon crawl inside of a living god at the end of the world. For fans of early TSR and Judge's Guild modules, this is a can't-miss!

Link below⬇️

for survival. we love our humble quiet genius makers. Let's us feel great about consuming it. We dont want to acknowledge that our darlings success stories are indeed uncommon.
it's a strong personality culture, so don't let yourself fail that test, hence....☠️

well, don't say anything is the way. What I just did I am super positive garnered / will garner lots of eye-rolls. By not being happy, chipper and content is a great way to kill your opportunities. Not being likeable. We're to feel shame for negative opinions.
But like most $ things, it's a hustle.

well that's awfully kind of you! I do hope you find it "worth" it. Be sure to check the Welcome post, for the links to all the art and games
🙏

that is utterly wild! really stretching - I'd be so intimidated to do this...well done 👏

ok well I let myself post an opinion and burst the happy-go-lucky bubble again, so i need to retreat i suppose, before I get slammed...
I'm tired, constantly hustle for $, and feeling compelled to defend my efforts.

but is that just so we can romanticize artists being broke. Just getting the connections and hookup to be the "best" in the school lunch room is nearly full time job...

and I get it, art is subjective, and indie ttrpg space is not a capitalist competition for finite dollars but a kumbaya space - but, I've got kids to support too. And if someone else is the "best" than I am not, which means losing opportunities.

See, art requires the hustle. We want it to be gentle

comics club poster

comics club poster

helped Kid create posters and blank comic sheet templates for the Comics Club they are founding at school!
Showed show stuff on Affinity and they made a pretty neat poster - and a stack of templates to hand out!
Feeling very proud :)

Try the good stuff

#OSR

@jvwest.bsky.social

where can find?

future goal - to have saved up a significant cash chest, and venture to chicago to this store!

Now I have 2 shirts with my art printed on them out in the world!
Thanks @maxmoon.bsky.social for the wonderful opportunity 🙏
The green one for the band @bigthiefmusic.bsky.social on this year’s Double Infinity tour 😮

I hope folks wearing these out get some cool looks & 2nd takes

these are just totally fantastic!
👀
and drawn in such a clear way that i suspect garin could publish one of the most fun and interesting coloring books known to humans!

👍

so glad you like it! you do a great job with great attitude and service, and I really appreciate it - hope the snow melts soon to make the walking less treacherous :)

if were're lucky, it'll be worth some $ one day in 30 years!

appreciate that :)

👍cheers and thanks

gracias my friend :)

Do any of my fellow American book makers have any tips, tricks, leads etc for getting a nice, cloth bound hardcover with nice paper made in the states?

thank you Jacob :)

thank you Zak :)

🤘

🤗

that's very kind, thank you :)