Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Hello, dear DA people.    I hate like heck to have to do this, but I'm implementing some changes.  

In order to maintain my sanity, I'll be disabling comments in my new entries from now on.  It makes me sad to do this, but I've been ending up in the front DA page lately (which is awesome!), which seems to be making me a target for bitchy, uninformed, opinionated jealous people (which is decidedly less awesome).

I'm sad because I've come to know so many of you folks really well (Treyos, Smokewithoutmirrors, ChibiButterfly...just to name a few) and I really DO look forward to hearing from you guys.  I'll miss your comments and your input and your wisdom.    

But this other factor...it bothers me too much.  I'll admit it; I'm thin skinned when it comes to my art.  I'm proud of my work and protective of it, and when that shines through in my entries (I know it sounds like arrogance, but whatever), I end up with misinformed trolls shouting at me about their "right" to steal my work and crap like that.

It's SO not okay to think that way about original artwork!  I have an attorney.  He tells me what the law is.  We've won several cases (and no, international plagiarism is not okay...except in the case of anime fanart because Japan could give a crap).  I'm a freaking professional here, and I've made it my business to know these things, because it costs me loads of money when I get it wrong.

Also, all the kids who chirp "That costs too much!" when what they really mean is "I don't have enough money to buy that"...it's demeaning and annoying and why on earth should I leave myself and my work open to public devaluation like that?  

It all makes my blood pressure go up.  

And people say "Don't take it so personally".  But I DO.  I take it personally because I love my work.  It comes from the heart.  It's part of who I am, and I'm personally invested in it, emotionally, and an attack on my work is the same as an attack on me.

So, if I'm to remain here on DA and leave my gallery up, I'm going to have to shut down the ignorance and abuse, and that means no more comments on entries.  Otherwise, I just can't possibly do it.  It hurts too much to be treated with vitriol because some jealous kids think my art is getting too much attention.  I've paid my dues for over 25 years.  I deserve the damn attention.  

So for all my faithful friends here; if you still want to stay in touch on FaceBook (and chat!  And see what I'm working on before I finish it, 'cause I often post iPhone updates of stuff in progress right from my desk!), just send me a message okay?  Message me (privately) here at DA (I'll see your icon and know that it's really you), I'll send you my private FaceBook name, you can friend me there, and we can still be pals that way.  You guys know who you are.

Peace, love and applesauce.