You know what? I'm sick of the politics around here. I'm tired of checking my message center and finding 7 or 8 journals about "OMG, so-and-so copied so-and-so's picture!" or "I'm tired of all the MySpace/Anime/Comics/boobies/etc.!" I want to hear about YOU. YOUR ART. The things in your life that are influencing your art--not complaints about what someone else is drawing or updates about interpersonal drama with other DA members. I have been trying to surround myself with positive influences who will encourage me to continue to develop as an artist, but I have to wonder if perhaps I have come to the wrong place.

I don't care if you "thank me for a +fav" or that you "really hate all the nude photography because it's just pr0n", or whatever else. Art is art, whether it be nude photography, comics, or even traditional media. In a way, DeviantArt is no longer about artists helping artists, but about artists having a personal networking site akin to facebook or xanga. Yes, I have made friends on DeviantArt, but that was never the purpose of the site. It infuriates me to no end that it has degenerated into such a thing; an artist is allowed to like or dislike a certain style, but there's no need to start drama over it. I don't want to hear about it in your journals. I also don't need updates on every mundane detail of whatever event/cosplay shoot/etc. that you attend--that's what the artist's comments section is for when you submit a deviation. Use it.

On the topic of "art theft": if it's a legitimate case of art theft, then it merits reporting. What I am sick and tired of hearing about is the "so-and-so drew a character that looks just like my character! She copied me! ART THEFT!" I hate to inform you of this, but just because someone drew a character or picture that is similar to yours does not mean it is art theft. There is a difference between blatantly stealing a work and claiming it as your own, and between using a picture as a reference or inspiration. At any rate, so long as they aren't making any money from it, does it truly matter if someone "copied" your character/drew a character that looks just like them? Seriously? That being said, haven't you ever heard of the collective consciousness? It is possible for more than one teenage artist to draw similar-looking rainbow sparkle-wolves at around the same time. Don't assume that just because you got a good idea, that you were the only one who has had that idea ever. I am not pointing fingers, but this has happened multiple times, and I am sick and tired of artists rallying their supporters as their "personal army" against these alleged "art thieves".

Honestly, if I wouldn't get so much bad karma for flouncing off, I would have left by now. On the rare occasion that I did post real art, I got very little feedback from the community. In the past I've had paintings and sculptures with 0 page views or comments while hundreds of people look at and comment on my fanart. While this is very flattering, it has not helped me get better as an artist and I would like to avoid being known for my fanart alone. For this reason I have decided to remove my fanart. I am unsure if I will continue to post my art on DA, or if I want to move and start a new account to post my "serious" work. At any rate, I'll be sure to keep you updated on any new developments and link you all to my new account and/or location if I decide to move.

Best regards (and mucho-sorry to anyone who I may have offended with this--it is nothing personal),

Pathogen