ART & Photograhy

seoulsearch said:

I do hope you'll stay on the site, Koji.

I've followed your posts for many years -- not all of them, as I can't keep up with everyone -- but I've always enjoyed reading your story as it unfolds.

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Thank you. Happy to see you again . I don't think I'll be "sharing" anymore. I was super excited to show my improvement, but it looks like people here still don't care for my work. I'll be permanently deleting this account soon.

seoulsearch said:

I posted a "Like" on Koji's explanation in response to him as a person, not in response to the picture, as it's not something I'm drawn to either.

If I remember correctly, and @Kojikun, feel free to chastise me for mentioning this, but I believe Koji is someone who has been here on CC for a very long time -- several years -- but not always under that name, so he has a much longer history than what's shown under this name.

He has documented his ups and downs, his struggles and hardships, and his walk of faith for many years here, and it's been an honor to watch his life grow.

When he wrote about drawing over 20 years, that's the part I was "Liking" -- the fact that despite the challenges, he hasn't given up -- because I believe God is molding him. He might not be at a place others approve of, but I've seen the positives in his journey over the years.

I liked his post for the tenacity alone.

No, I don't just "Like" anything that's put up on a Christian site. I grew up in church; I know all too well how everything must be sifted.

But if I see a quality in someone, such as pressing forward, then yes, I will most definitely give that a "Like", even if it's not fully explained why I gave it. A full explanation shouldn't have to be given.

Part of my calling is to look beyond the works, and try to encourage the person behind them.

I understand those who disagree with my reasoning, but I stand by it.

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pinebeach said:

Well that's what you usually do.
It might have escaped your notice, but in yr response(s) to me , you agreed about the image but it's ok when you do so because then you say you have a 'ministry' of encouraging others.
I am sure your 'audience' is hanging on every word. I know I'm not.

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You missed the entire point of my posts.

In the first sentence of my first post that started all of this, I specifically said that the art "is not something I'm drawn to either."

Did I say it was ok? No. I neither condoned nor condemned the art in question, just said it's not something I'm drawn to.

That's not saying anything is "ok" because of "my ministry of encouraging others." That's why I brought up the point about the inmates in the first place. Were there things I disagreed with? Absolutely. And that was my whole point.

The artwork in question might not be what I'm drawn to, but my whole point was to try to encourage the person behind it, and that fact that he's stuck with drawing after 20 years. That was the entire point I was trying to reinforce.

And your dismissive comments ("I am sure your 'audience' is hanging on every word. I know I'm not. smiley face -- as you said to me) is exactly what I'm trying to bring forth.

You decide what others think

You make the rules.

You get to decide when to dismiss people, like a boss.

I'm trying to see how much you want to tell others about yourself without actually telling them.

Kojikun said:

Thank you. Happy to see you again . I don't think I'll be "sharing" anymore. I was super excited to show my improvement, but it looks like people here still don't care for my work. I'll be permanently deleting this account soon.

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Koji,

I would encourage you to stay. You don't have to answer this, as I don't want to interfere with your privacy, but I do think I remember some of your first posts. And from the start, I was sorry for the things you were going through. I know it hasn't been easy, and I know you've always received flack for your art, no matter what name you posted under.

Now, please let me be honest in that some of your art drew me in, and some did not, but I'm like that with any artist. What matters most is your relationship with God and what He tells you about the talent He has given you, and how He wants to direct it. I do that too, in asking God what art I should be interested in and what He's steering me away from.

I'm glad to hear you've never given up on drawing. I believe I remember a long time ago when you showed us your idea for a Christian card game as well, and I was impressed by your detail in each card. Coming up with ideas, along with the basis of the game, which led characters seeking out Jesus, took A LOT of work.

Kudos to you!

Don't give up, and keep praying and asking God what He would like you to draw.

seoulsearch said:

Koji,

I would encourage you to stay. You don't have to answer this, as I don't want to interfere with your privacy, but I do think I remember some of your first posts. And from the start, I was sorry for the things you were going through. I know it hasn't been easy, and I know you've always received flack for your art, no matter what name you posted under.

Now, please let me be honest in that some of your art drew me in, and some did not, but I'm like that with any artist. What matters most is your relationship with God and what He tells you about the talent He has given you, and how He wants to direct it. I do that too, in asking God what art I should be interested in and what He's steering me away from.

I'm glad to hear you've never given up on drawing. I believe I remember a long time ago when you showed us your idea for a Christian card game as well, and I was impressed by your detail in each card. Coming up with ideas, along with the basis of the game, which led characters seeking out Jesus, took A LOT of work.

Kudos to you!

Don't give up, and keep praying and asking God what He would like you to draw.

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In hindsight I probably should have shared something less vibrant lol. But yeah, I probably overreacted. Unfortunately that's still a bad habit of mine. It's good to talk to you again

pinebeach said:

I am sure your 'audience' is hanging on every word. I know I'm not.

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Over the years I've been here, I've received several messages from young women telling me, "I never knew how to stand up for myself -- but I'm learning how to do so through your posts."

Not long ago, a man who is no longer here wrote me and said, "I just want you to know before I go, I have wanted to change the way I answer people for years -- and your posts have given me a template of how to do that."

This meant the world to me, and that's why I answer.

Certainly not because I'm special, or because I have the answers, or am worth listening to, but because it might help someone reading along. And if not, that's fine, too. All I can do is try.

As for these statements you made in your posts -- you say you're not hanging on my every word -- and yet you answer, so you must be reading them.

And I'm truly not sure what you're trying to do with this dismissal:

* Is it an insult?

* Is it trying to establish some sort of authority in that you saying your disregarding of my posts is somehow of meaning?

* Is it trying to hurt my feelings in order to somehow make me think you have some sort of jurisdiction over me?


I know you said you won't share your experiences, and that's fine -- many people here don't want to either, and that might how God is leading them.

But I am truly interested in all the things you are sharing through not sharing, and that's why I keep reading your posts.

Kojikun said:

In hindsight I probably should have shared something less vibrant lol. But yeah, I probably overreacted. Unfortunately that's still a bad habit of mine. It's good to talk to you again

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Many years ago, I dated someone who played Magic The Gathering. He taught me the basics, though of course I was never a "real" player, lol -- I'm never any good at games.

But what really stunned me was the artwork on the cards -- I loved looking at every one and reading them like a page in a book, taking in the fact that people had to have put a MASSIVE amount of work and imagination (which I don't have) into each and every one.

This is why I was so impressed when you shared the protocols for your card game -- I had a small glimpse into how much work, prayer, and thought you put into it, as you had made several posts telling us you wanted the game to be all about finding The One True God and asked us for tips on how to incorporate this.

Now, I can already hear people screaming: "She played Magic The Gathering!! No wonder she's putting up a fuss in this thread! Evil! She must be a devil worshipper!"

Nope.

You see, I used to be very much into fantasy artwork when I was young, though I have no artistic talent for myself. I used to have a few pieces of mythical creatures in my apartment, because I marveled that these were all things man had drawn up -- but they were all based on things that humans have already seen.

When God made the world and everything in it, He had nothing to go by except His own mind, and that has always fascinated me, and that's why I love fantasy -- I see it as a small glimpse into the mind of God.

However, over the years, God has convicted me HEAVILY of what I am, and am not to, look at, view, or buy. Because of this, I no longer collect anything of fantasy but just admire it from afar.

But this is just my OWN walk and I can't judge yours or anyone else's. I believe if we talk with people, help bring out the gifts God gave them, and walk with them as they pray and seek God in their artwork, He will lead.

I hope you will be encouraged, Koji, and may God direct every artistic step.

pinebeach said:

No. You have explained yourself quite well, especially where you try to make it all about me. Your posts are actually all about you and how caring you are, while you think you are controlling my responses. I don't think you see that though.
You have a good evening as I said before.

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We disagree, and that's just how it is.

There is a lot I don't feel you are seeing as well.

You have a good night, and thank you for taking the time to answer.

seoulsearch said:

Many years ago, I dated someone who played Magic The Gathering. He taught me the basics, though of course I was never a "real" player, lol -- I'm never any good at games.

But what really stunned me was the artwork on the cards -- I loved looking at every one and reading them like a page in a book, taking in the fact that people had to have put a MASSIVE amount of work and imagination (which I don't have) into each and every one.

This is why I was so impressed when you shared the protocols for your card game -- I had a small glimpse into how much work, prayer, and thought you put into it, as you had made several posts telling us you wanted the game to be all about finding The One True God and asked us for tips on how to incorporate this.

Now, I can already hear people screaming: "She played Magic The Gathering!! No wonder she's putting up a fuss in this thread! Evil! She must be a devil worshipper!"

Nope.

You see, I used to be very much into fantasy artwork when I was young, though I have no artistic talent for myself. I used to have a few pieces of mythical creatures in my apartment, because I marveled that these were all things man had drawn up -- but they were all based on things that humans have already seen.

When God made the world and everything in it, He had nothing to go by except His own mind, and that has always fascinated me, and that's why I love fantasy -- I see it as a small glimpse into the mind of God.

However, over the years, God has convicted me HEAVILY of what I am, and am not to, look at, view, or buy. Because of this, I no longer collect anything of fantasy but just admire it from afar.

But this is just my OWN walk and I can't judge yours or anyone else's. I believe if we talk with people, help bring out the gifts God gave them, and walk with them as they pray and seek God in their artwork, He will lead.

I hope you will be encouraged, Koji, and may God direct every artistic step.

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I've had things I had to cut from my life as well. I watched an anime I saw years ago in highschool and I regretted it after lol. I haven't played magic in years. At one point they would write an entire novel when a block was released, based on the lore. They don't do that anymore unfortunately. The books are hard to find too. I sanitized my art a lot over the years. I used do commissions on a site called Deviant art. My art was terrible than but I got a lot of work (I didn't charge anything though). Unfortunately Deviant has gone very Tumblr like and unfortunately caters to AI and pornography now.