"storytelling is pretty magical" @rainbowhoodlum

Dear Diary,

I’m Hermit, I’m 25 and I’m from California.

I feel like my art reflects my love for different relationship dynamics, especially the fictional ones that I get so attached to. I think storytelling is pretty magical, especially when you create your own interpretations of different companionships between people. It can create so many brand new stories.

Credit: Hermit (Instagram @rainbowhoodlum)

Social media has ultimately fueled what I've been drawing for years. I first started posting fanart for my favorite book series, Warrior cats, on Tumblr in 2014. Not long after I discovered my favorite band, Twenty One Pilots, from all the fanart being posted during the Blurryface era in 2015. Eventually I migrated over to Instagram, and that's when I really started to discover a wide variety of artist communities. I saw everyone else's interpretations of songs or what characters looked like, and it fascinated me. The content seemed endless, and seeing all that artwork I feel like I improved my own style.

Though, it's sad to say the amount of likes on my posts really does mess with my confidence in my artwork. I know I shouldn't let it, but sometimes it's hard to ignore it; one day seeing a post get thousands of views/re-blogs/likes; and the next one it gets a few dozen? It's difficult to go on that rollercoaster every time, but likes are not a count of how good your art is; it's basically just how many people saw it that enjoyed it (and that sometimes the algorithm just sucks). I just have to remind myself that every time; and that I draw for the lovely few that stick around.

Credit: Hermit (Instagram @rainbowhoodlum)

Music, bands, and TV series continue to spark my creativity, especially this past year. Twenty One Pilots released their new album, Clancy, and the last season of Arcane was released. I've drawn and posted more this past year than I have any other year online!

If I'm in an art block, I tend to fall back into what inspires me to begin with; artwork and storytelling. Seeing other other forms of creativity from artists and the differences in unique styles that everyone develops is so inspiring and just makes me want to sit down and draw again.

What keeps me present online is the amount of support I get from my followers. Words can't describe how thankful I am for them; everyone who comments or sends me a nice message about my art style just makes my whole week better. Without them, I'm not sure if I would have kept up a social presence at all. Being online, connecting with people, and choosing to filter out any negativity is such an awesome way to share creativity and passions. Fan artists are such a strong community since we combine our shared love for a fandom with the passion to draw.

Until then!

Hermit