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My first art project bombed.

Needing a creative escape from a boring warehouse job, I decided I’d try sharing my art online. My goal wasn’t to blow up, just find a humble following I could call my own.

So I whipped up an art blog and started posting like I thought you were supposed to.

I was diligent, creating and posting almost every day.

My intention wasn’t to start a career or anything, though in retrospect I think subconsciously that’s what I was up to. I think secretly I hoped it would take off, and I could quit my loser jobs.

But every time I checked analytics it was some sad number like "3 views". At first, I assured myself "that's normal. New projects take time." So I pressed on.

But months passed.

My views never broke double digits. No comments, emails, or engagement of any kind. Just silence. I didn't get it. Like many new artists, I thought it was a “build it and they will come” thing.

Except no matter what I did nothing changed. I tried comics, paintings, short stories, posting more, posting less, etc.

Nothing changed.

It wasn't long before a year had passed - and I still had zero attention. I had really applied myself, but it wasn’t enough. It’s not fun to try your hardest and still fail.

I felt pretty defeated.
So with a sigh, I gave up on that project.

As the years passed I kept a habit of unfulfilling jobs - and so I also, out of necessity, kept a habit of side projects to entertain my brain. I made new blogs, played with SEO, released mobile games, and got into music projects - just exploring my excitement.

Until one day, 8 years after my failure I thought I’d try art again. I made an Instagram, started posting, took a deep breath and...

The secret? Well, I could say that I’d simply figured out the formula for attention after years of projects (and I did figure some things out).

But looking back I know there's a deeper truth.
I didn't let my first defeat break me.

Hindsight really brings clarity.

At the time I was crushed, but that moment after that year of rejection was a critical test on my journey. I could’ve let fear of failure kill my passion. But I had chosen to press on.

Because I kept playing the game I got to learn the game. Even though it felt horrible, that first failure taught me a valuable lesson in endurance - and, unbeknownst to me at the time, lit a fire in me to figure out what I did wrong.

Looking back I now see that sometimes the point isn’t success, but learning the lessons you need to grow into someone who can be successful.

Projects are working on you even if you don't realize.

If you pursue being an artist (whether as a hobby or career) I promise you will fail - sometimes small, sometimes big.

The most important thing isn’t getting it right every time. It’s letting your excitement take you somewhere you can grow, accepting every up and down is just part of the ride, and looking for the bright side in every event.

And no matter what…
Eat the pain
Use it as fuel for the journey
See you at the top

Peace and Love,
Brosatsu