TO ALL MY PATREON MEMBERS ! (Patreon)

Thank you to all who joined me here!

It was a bit overwhelming and stressful to see more friends joining than I had expected. I understand that everyone who comes here may have different expectations, and I have no criticisms about that.

However, I’d like to take a moment to clarify a few things: who I am, why I chose this platform, how I plan to use it, and the details of the subscription plans available.

I am Athiya Mohammed Asathu, coming from a SRI LANKAN Tamil Muslim community. I am an artist, writer, and film critic working across various mediums, including ink illustration, digital art, animation, and graffiti. After moving to Germany, I found myself unable to dedicate time to writing or creating film reviews for my YouTube channel—neither of which provided financial support.

In the beginning, I faced a lot of confusion about what to pursue and how to maintain consistency. Writing in Tamil posed a challenge, as I struggled to find people in Germany who could read or connect with my work on a conceptual level. Language became a significant barrier, and my cinema-related videos faced similar limitations.

Eventually, I became a full-time artist, focusing on doing what I love while earning a living. I explored teaching drawing, taking commissions, selling art prints, painting murals, collaborating with a graffiti group, and participating in exhibitions. I even took up babysitting at times to make ends meet. Amidst all this, I realized my writing and self-expression had diminished. That’s when I discovered how artists worldwide use Patreon as a platform. My main goal now is to use this space to prioritize and focus on my writing sessions while continuing to share my art.

I know that many people expect me to post photos and interact daily. To be honest, I can’t stay connected with people on Patreon all the time. There are other platforms for that, so feel free to explore them. I am more than just my photos. They are only one part of who I am. If you’re unable to see me deeply and only want to approach me superficially, Instagram might be a better place for you. I’m sorry, but this space isn’t for that.

My authenticity thrives when I create for myself, for my own soul's satisfaction. That’s what I believe you expect from me, and I hope it’s what drew you here. I’m reminded of something David Bowie once said:

"Never work for other people in what you do. Always remember that the reason you initially started working was that there was something inside yourself that, if you could manifest it in some way, you would understand more about yourself and how you coexist with the rest of society."

If you force me to meet your needs, there’s a problem. I cannot create work that simply caters to others’ expectations. Platforms like Instagram are consumed by a toxic consumer culture, and many viewers reflect a miniature version of capitalism. I refuse to be part of that.

My goal is to build a free space for genuine self-expression, not to fulfill every demand placed on me. If you give me the time and space I need, I’ll be able to express myself authentically and from my own perspective. That’s why I chose this platform.

This is more important than anything else: boundaries and respect. I hope you will honor my boundaries and respect me, just as I strive to respect and understand yours.

I hope you understand.

Let me be me that's all I Ask.

With love Athiya (BULBUL)