Sabrina, don't let the idiots/sexists get you down girl. There are some ignorant people in the world, they see your picture....and I'll admit, you are good looking....but what happens is that the idiots think "your a good looking lady, and a good looking lady cant be painting tf's that come out looking as good as you do them"..... So they automatically assume that you are just a face or a front to make money....again, ignorance on their part or being "sexist" as you put it earlier. Keep doing your thing Sabrina. You've got some mad skills. Don't let internet 'tards get to you. There will ALWAYS be someone that will have something negative to say when you are doing good. I like to call them HATERS....just let them keep hating, and you keep on making masterpieces. End the end, you'll get the last laugh.
Sab, best thing you can ever do to sexist morons/bullies and other trolls is this: just ignore the losers. These kind of people arent worth the brain waves it takes to think about their lowly existance on this planet. You are awesome, just remember that and move on. Fuck these morons, ok? Keep yer chin up mate!
Sabrina- I'll add my 2 cents since I've had some personal experience with this as well. My Ex(-Roomate, girlfriend, AND creative-collaborator) was a young, attractive, female artist. She CONSTANTLY had the same kind of negative B.S. thrown at her, but pretty much only when she was drawing TFs or other mecha. When she did fantasy or wildlife work, no issue. I think there's something about this being a "Boys" brand that makes it hard for some of the BOYS (as opposed to the men) in the fandom have a hard time accepting that female-fans exist, or if they accept that, it makes them uncomfortable. It's (semi-)grown-up pigtail-pulling. Still stupid, annoying, and unnecessary, but not everyone is equally mature. D/L
For heaven's sake it does not matter if its a guy or a girl selling customs!! If they are good customs, you should not insult that person!!!!!! whew, sugar rush....
Thanks all who gave their advice. I'll remember this. Great thing I can bookmark this thread to re-visit all the kind words should I feel down.
Looks like all that comes with the territory, sorry. And technically you are using yourself to sell your work. Why else would you post a picture that is bigger than your actual product being sold at the top of your auctions? Not saying its bad but just stating how it looks. I would think most in your current position would try and create an image of themselfs(for familiarity sake and as the start of a sort of business model) that does not include them laying down in a dress airbrushing. Does not compute. I can say right now that I don't think anyone here is a sexist and thinks that cause your a girl you cant paint what have been labeled "boy" action figures, thats silly and way off of what I think most of us here that are Americans are about(cant speak for overseas or Canadian/Mexican brothers). Your doing the right thing with all these people emailing you, never get into an argument or something over something so silly, your better than that.
I wouldn't worry too much about it, Sabrina. I feel bad that you get crap-mail like that, but all of it stems from the fact that some people can't seem to picture a girl taking the time to paint Transformers and on top of that, post on all the cool TF forums. It's like a brain overload to some people who can't seem to grasp the concept. Hell, I've seen guys paint girl toys--so it goes both ways. Also, I think some of it could stem from the fact that since the dawn of the internet, scary/stalker guys have portrayed themself as "girls" for whatever dumb reason. So I'm sure some of these people emailing you have this fear of you being a dude and since they may see you as an "awesome girl who paints Transformers", they fear one day you'll show a picture of some hairy dude and claim it's you (crushing their dreams). lol All in all, I guess it comes with the territory, but I'd say ignore 'em and delete or block 'em. I also agree with what F_R says above--some other female customizers are out there, but they'd prefer not to be hounded by idiots who only want to know them because "ZOMG, they're a GIRL!!". This crap happens on Xbox Live--it's happened to my fiancee, Stephanie--some idiot voice messaged her asking "are you one of the cute gamer chicks or one of the fat, ugly ones".......yeah, maturity is out the window on the internet and online gaming (for the record, she's one of the cute ones). Some people just want to enjoy games or display some artwork. So ignore 'em and keep doing what you do best.
Honestly I would not give it much fuss as its more then likely this hate is born out of some sort of jealousy be it for your skills, looks, the market value of your work or all of the above. I'd just block any contact and keep on going your not in the wrong here
I must admit I do agree with my fellow Radicons on these. First off if I wanted someone to make me a custom it doesn't matter if this person is male or female. I'm just getting tired of hearing this crap that girls can't do that or this, well I say we're equals and should be treated as such. So thats my honest opinion.
I gotta say i dont really agree with that statement. I find the picture of her on her auctions adds some much needed glamour to this business. Its very tasteful too. Its also a major breakthrough as well. I mean how many times have you ever seen something like that in the tf fandom? Its unique, its ground-breaking. This doesnt have to be a "boy hobby" and by posting pictures of herself she is proving that women can do this shit too, and 9 times out of 10 better than most of us dudes! I see it as a big middle finger to all the sexist, narrowminded fucktards out there. Shes giving it some girl power and representing equal rights for women which unfortunately is still something they have to fight for even in the 21st century. It also adds some much needed personality to her auctions. It allows people to see the artist before they bid, instead of just reading a bunch of /usually/ self-congratulatory ego stroking text. I say dont change Sab, keep it up and if you wanna post pictures then do it! As long as you arent obviously showing off your body ala pamela anderson and keep things tasteful and glamorous like you have you'll go straight to the top!
Honestly Sonny? If I post pictures of myself if I make a My Little Pony custom is it the Same thing. Hell, I'm not a bad looking guy and Sabrina is not a bad looking lady. If I post pictures of my self it would be the same problem as Sabrina, people would judge my custom off of me first, then my actual work. That's what happens when you post pictures of yourself, absolutely no way around it. All other counts I agree on and have no idea why you posted them in direction to me, never said she was distasteful or whatever. Sabrina doesn't have to change a damn thing, she just needs to deal with it is all and not complain as it comes with the territory in her position.
They wasnt in direction to you, i just didnt type it out very well. I see what you mean though but im still not entirely convinced. In any case i hope she doesnt change her layouts or attitudes. Whats with all the people calling me Sonny around here though? You are the second person to do that, or is that just something americans call each other these days? Like..."bub"..or.."slick"...or something?
Ok, My two sents worth; You do great work. There are morons out there. Ignore them. The fact they have a problem with your gender just shows how sad some people can be; hopefully one day they will grow up and become civilized members of our species. Did I mention you do great work? That's what counts. Keep it up!
Um.... Comments like these are what reinforce the implied goal of the pictures you put up of yourself Sabrina. You ARE using yourself as a tool to sell you customs when you reply to comment like these. Pretty sad in my opinion, let the custom shine, not your short dress/skirt with just enough cleavage showing. Edit* Looking at this whole thread again you really need to decide on what you want to do with your business model. If your going to continue advertising yourself along side your customs then you need to "put up or shut up" and deal with the crap that will inevitably ensue, no way around it. Or you can just be a little more reserved and let your customs do all the talking. Your pick.
Sorry you feel that way, that's my opinion on the matter. Also the phrase "put up or shut up" is a phrase, didn't actually mean for you to shut up literally. The points that seem to have been made is: 1. People are giving you shit for being a girl(Which is out of yours or anyone else's hands). 2. People think you are using yourself as an advertising tool(Which based on your replies to questions in your auction reinforce that). 3. The feminist in you wants to know why girls cant do what boys do(which from my understanding they can). 4. You think people are sexist(Probably true but I digress). Am I missing something?
Heya, my sincerest apologies. Just having a really bad day...Sorry for taking it out on your reply. It was never meant to be.
