I'll be MIA for a few days (not that it matters really) so if anyone is looking to get in contact with me please, be patient. I've been working long days and I'm often tired when I get home so sitting on the computer is the last thing I want to do. However, I thought to come on and let you guys know simply because I noticed quite a few notes had come in as well as emails and such.
I'll try to answer a few but this has been a really busy week as far as work goes. More work means more experience as well as money, both of which are nice, but it also means I am busy from about 8am to around 5-7pm every day (including weekends).
I'm still working on and off with these last few bigger commissions but progress is slow. I may have a few days off next week where I can really make a set crack down on getting them completed but for now I've not the time to do them this week.

It also doesn't help that my internet is absolute garbage right now. It's like dial-up slow so doing anything at all online is some huge task. It often takes a ridiculous 30 minutes to send an email with a singular sketch file in it so...
However, we're working on getting new internet hat will allow more and hopefully I'll be able to do some streaming/join.me sessions when we get that sorted. For now my internet cannot handle it. It dies repeatedly after about 10 minutes of streaming anything and then the whole internet module locks up because it can't handle it.
With new internet (that will also be much cheaper) I'll have more freedom to do streams/join.me things more often without worrying it'll cut out or die halfway through an image, haha!
It'll also be nice to have Skype working again -_-;

So yeah... I'm most likely going to be out of count for a few days give or take. I may stop on to look over things, get reference sheets, or answer some stuff but I've not got any new art to upload. Haven't had time to do much of anything artsy so...
Just a little heads up.
Sorry if I've seemed a bit distant or unresponsive but I have just been really really busy. I'll attempt to make up for it in some way next week-ish. Alright?

Cheers,
-Kato

I was asked to post a little something about this in a journal.
Apparently there's a 'store' on Ebay that's taking and selling random pieces of artwork that they find/found on the web.
I'm not sure whose art they have all taken but from what I was told and what I read they've taken quite a few things from dA and are currently claiming that they either made their pieces or that they're 'free domain' images which somehow (but some nonexistent sense of logic) justifies taking other people's work and printing it to sell for big money. Mind you the artists who made these pieces don't see a penny of the profits as far as I know… perhaps a few are aware their works are being sold but I'm pretty sure a lot of them aren't.

This is the store:: [link]
There's a good chance you'll recognize a few images from various dA artists, I know I do.
This, my friends, is illegal. This, my friends, is the plain as day definition of art theft in it's purest form.
Images on DeviantART are not be definition 'free domain' images… they are copyrighted (technically).
By law you (technically) cannot sell copyrighted material for profit without consent/permissions from the original owner (in this case the artists whose work you are using).
DeviantART.com is not Flicker or Picsa and not all images uploaded to dA are stock images; free to use, resell, alter, and reproduce. Apparently that truth escapes this (or these) individual(s).
What they are doing is illegal.
To be honest I have no idea where to even begin to report all of this theft as I am not an avid Ebay user myself, however I was asked to post something about this and so… I did.
Seems they're more akin to photography prints than anything else. I didn't see many 'drawing' pieces. There's a few here and there but there's a ton of dA photography… =/

`alexiuss (whose work was/is being sold-used) wrote to the person basically stating that what he was doing was illegal and that none (at least 99%) of the images (including hers) were 'free use/domain' images and this was his response to their message: ---  "Hi, I am the owner of this shop and all these images are bought or made by me and I take full responsibility for all of them. Your image is on PUBLIC DOMAIN, you should know that and do something about it.

So, apparently all images posted on this site, although copyrighted in plain sight, are free domain and therefore can be taken, reproduced, altered, and sold without any consequence. I did not know this. I did know that thieves will make up any excuse to be in the right but I didn't know copyright actually meant nothing. It's only a law and all, only punishable by fines and jail-time in extreme cases *coughcough*. Then again laws and rules don't apply when you're sticking you head up your own arse. You can't see/read them.
Anyway, feel free to go through his Ebay store and mark/flag/report all the images you can. This guy is making a profit (as in actual money) from other people's work and I am willing to bet none of the artists see a penny of the profits being made from these illegal prints.

Anyway... as I said, I'm unsure of how to report all this but I'm going to try and report the images I can (the ones I recognize at least which is more than a few) and I recommend you do the same.
This person is blissfully unaware/ignorant (or arrogant) of what copyright laws are and how they apply to intellectual property; which includes artwork posted on a website. If it's marked, it's copyrighted and even if it isn't you are not allowed to sell or make profit without consent of the original artist/creator. It is law, not just a guideline.
Report if you can. Don't bother messaging the guy as he seems to be a smarmy git and will tell you basically to 'fuck off' and that your work doesn't belong to you once it hits the web (technically this is half true but copyright is still copyright).

That is that.

_{PS: Since it was just informed to me (even though I had a hunch) this guy is selling out of the UK (England I believe) and is apparently hiding under the new 'Orphaned works' law that was passed. Unfortunately for him that law won't do much to avoid a lawsuit when the actual copyright holders who are upset by their work being sold without their consent come to him/after him. Copyrights still stand regardless of this new law and if a copyright holder approaches you, able to claim ownership of an image and they ask you to remove their work from you selling list you are obligated to oblige. The work being used would no longer be abandoned/orphaned work.
More so if it's watermarked or officially copyrighted (as many of these pieces are). Watermark means claimed, claimed works are not orphaned works. So, while a few images may be passed over due to slippery copyright handles a lot of the dA pieces are still protected under copyright law and therefore if claimed they cannot legally be sold or produces for commercial quality without consent of the original creator.
This guy needs to learn the truth of these laws before trying to use them as a crutch. Copyrights law overshadows this new law by a long shot. Don't let this guy fool you, what he is doing is by law and rights, wrong.}

Hello everyone,


We all know what it's like to need a helping hand every once and a while and right now *Kayru-Kitsune needs one. She has opened some commissions to raise funds for medical bills (which can pile up VERY fast and get expensive).
She does beautiful and creative work with multiple mediums and her prices are more than fair. Digital, Traditional, sculpting, she does it all with brilliance and a knack for detail.

She is in real need of this financial help guys. This isn't a 'I need money for something material' kind of deal, her family is in need of help to pay actual medical bills. Those are expensive and every bit of help does help.  So please, stop by her page and if you can do consider buying a commission?
If not, please consider spreading the word?
She has done so much to help others (myself included) and she has such a big heart filled with such kindness, she needs our help guys. Please! I implore you, go have a look and do what you can do help her out?

Commissions are Open!Hey everyone. I need to open commissions to help pay for my husband's medical bills. (I won't bore you with the details unless you ask, but yes, I have my husband's medical bills to pay for. This isn't a 'my pet bird has medical bills' or 'I want some more toys'. We've been put in a long loop of junk with the military because he injured his back and they won't pay for it... so now the bills are starting to come in.)
So here we go!
The biggest thing I want to relay is that I want to make this worthwhile for you. So I'll keep up conversation with you, send you sketches/updates, make sure that you like it. You WILL get a final product you're happy with. If you're not satisfied, I keep working on it! This is a learning process for me but I want you to like what I end up giving you.
I plan to do commissions through PayPal, but if you have an alternate (i.e. DA points) we can talk about it. I may or may not do it, but let's discuss.
You're welcome to check through my gallery. I know there -- This is her journal with prices as well as examples of her work


Thank you for looking,
-Kato

I have been getting a lot of people asking about 'commissions' after uploading the last few: prices, status, etc. So, I am just going to post the answers to their questions here for future reference. I'll also be posting the information on my personal site (not my weebly one, which will be removed soon) when it's up and ready.
This journal has been sectioned for easier referral to what you want to know in particular. It looks long and cumbersome but in reality each section is not actually that long, haha! You don't have to read it if you don't want to, only if you're interested to know anything about my commissions (in the future that is). If not, feel free to close and move on as reading it may be boring if you're not actually interested


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRICES: First of all there has been the issue of prices and what they are? This last batch of commissions that I am uploading now is from quite a while ago, back when the prices were set out of desperation (basically meaning I undercharged somewhat because I needed money).
My new prices will be higher than the ones you see posted on my profile but they will be fair. Why the price hike? Simple, because I am looking to take business from serious commissioners. Don't take that as an insult because it's not meant to berate or knock anyone down, okay?
In the past a lot of times I opened commissions only when I was in dire need of money (money I couldn't earn fast enough from my job) and so I wound up offering huge images that would take me days for about $20. While this is fair to the commissioner it, in a way, was not fair to me as I was doing a ton of work for very little pay.
However, this time around if I ever open them again I won't be opening them in dire situations and I will only offer a few at a time. The prices will be uploaded at that time as will the commissioning TOS (terms of service) which I do hope people would read as well.

CURRENT STATUS: My commissions are closed, and they will be for quite some time. Even after these are all done. When I took these on I did not take on any others after (spare for a few for friends or outside clients) for a reason, because I knew these were going to take a while.
After I get done with my current list I'm going to take some time off from doing them and do personal work or get back to the art trades and points commissions I owe and finish them.
If and when I open them again I will let people know. Please pay attention to my front page you're interested in my statuses on any given art inquiry. If things are closed, they are closed and unless you are a good friend chances are there will be no exceptions.

POINTS to $.$$: A few people have been asking about this method of paying in dApoints to be transferred into usable currency and I'll be honest, I'm apprehensive to agree or disagree with these terms. The only time I really took points for payment was on adoptables but I used those points to buy people subscriptions or give them donations. I'm unclear of the methods of transfer, but I'll look it up. I know dA tends to take about %20 of your profit (last I hear anyway) so... not sure on how I feel about that. At this time I won't say no nor will I say yes to that possibility. I'd have to think about it and since my commissions are not open right now I won't give much thought to it until they are open again.
So it's a thought but... I'm not sure right now.

TIME FRAME/TURN OUT RATE: This seems to be a huge subject for debate in some circles, my turn around time for commissions. This last batch did take me a long time but there's reasons for that. I won't put up every one of them but I will say I took on way too much this time, I paid for it, and I learned my lesson.
In the future my turn around time will depend mostly one the commission's level of detail. Smaller pieces will have about a 3-6 day time frame whereas larger images would be granted about a 3-5 week time frame to allow lenience for goings-on and life happenings.
I will allow a commissioner to set a time frame but it must be reasonable. None of this 'I need this realism painting in 24hrs'  or 'I want this done in an hour' kind of thing. It must be a time frame that is logical and feasible for the work being done. If you need something for an event (like a wedding, party, etc) then tell me that ahead of time and tell me the date of the event. If your event is in less than 3 days from the commissioning date I will refuse your purchase.

COMMUNICATIONS/CONTACT: This was another big issue from my last couple batches of commissions; lack of contact between commissioner and the commissioned.
I can tell you now that nothing is more irritating to someone who is working than to have to wait to progress or even finish a job. Especially when it's because the person they're contacting isn't answering. Of course, this goes both ways doesn't it? Nothing is more worrying than when you ask about progress and your question goes unanswered.
When you commission someone you are creating an invisible bond between the two of you and as such there is a need for some kind of communication between both parties so that there's a level of mutual trust and understanding. You're trusting them with your money and your idea and they are trusting you that you'll pay them and be able to do what they ask to their liking. Contact is not a one way street and it can't just be one person contacting the other without reply.
On a personal level I prefer customers who don't mind being honest but they have to be able to take honesty in return. If they feel they are getting scammed or if they're nervous about being forgotten I want them to tell me their worries as I am the one who can ease that worry. But, if I feel I'm getting scammed, used, or even abused I'd appreciate if my commissioners would do the same for me. I always encourage contact between my customers and I, no matter what anyone says.
I may not always be able to give your progress shots or tell you 'it's almost done' but I'll at least try and reply.
** NOTE: Email is reliable but it can still be a bit touchy at times and it's not without it's glitches and hiccups. If you feel your email did not go through then send it in doubles to ensure it's delivery. So, if I don't answer I'm not ignoring you. When unsure, send again.

ETIQUETTE: There's employee etiquette but there is also employer's etiquette. While I tolerate a certain level of harshness I do expect a level of respect from my commissioners. This means don't set standards on what you expect from me higher than those you can actually expect from yourself. Remember I am a human being, I have a life and I have other obligations to attend to on a daily basis which can and will detour me from doing artwork. I am forgetful at times and I have the capacity to be just as lazy as anyone else. Please, remember that you are employing a person, not a machine. You're welcome to nudge but not to push, and certainly not to shove.
In return I will do my best to be honest with you regardless of how 'uneventful' the news may be and I will also be patient with you, kind, and respectful of your wishes.
I'd appreciate it if any qualms or dissatisfaction with my services be disclosed to me so I can know what to change or work on. This means don't just go running off to 'Artist's Beware' posting an article without telling me first. It won't do any good to help me fix my errors if I am not made aware of them and I'd sooner fix upsets than continue them blindly unawares.
_{**Artists Beware: Please, remember that posting an article here can be detrimental to a freelance artist's career so be sure that there is a need to do it before you do it. I've nearly made a few articles about some people I commissioned in the past only to rethink my decision and decide it was just my own paranoia and not really a valid reason. Contact the person FIRST and try to fix the problem between the two of you before you go running off to post an article. Only do it if you feel you are absolutely getting scammed or lied to and the person isn't returning any inquiries of contact.}

PAYMENT: Although I have allowed it I am often very apprehensive about allowing a commissioner to post-pay (after completion) for a commission nowadays. However, I do know a lot of people are just as unnerved about pre-pay commissions, thinking they'll get scammed out of their money.
For commissions under $50 I'll only accept pre-pay, anything over I will accept and push for Half-pay (half before, half after completion) but I won't accept anymore post-pay commissions. The risk for me getting scammed is too great and it's happened one too many times where I did a ton of work and the commissioner just left the face of the planet after receiving the artwork.
If you yourself are unsure about what to do, go with your gut. I will be willing to accept either method (pre or half) that you feel works for you and I will do my best to settle to your terms on how it's done. However, you have to be able to actually trust me to uphold my end of the deal. It's hard to feel secure in your business when you have a customer who is constantly telling you how untrustworthy people are and how much they have been scammed in the past. It really makes it hard to post a good example feeling that regardless of how trustworthy you actually are, they're still watching you like a hawk under the microscope.
Trust is a mutual thing when it comes to business of any kind, give it and you shall receive it.
Also, I will only accept Paypal as a viable platform for payment.
_{The US Postal service, although commendable, seems to be somewhat lapse and I've had it happen where someone sent me money or I sent something and it was never received. If anything IS sent it will be through tracked mail only to ensure delivery.}

REFUNDS: This seems to be a touchy subject so I'll try to lay it out as logically as possible.
Depending on the purchase price there will be a certain time-frame window for refunds to be made but after a sketch is shown or after your work is completed there will not be a window for a full-payment refund. I will be willing to negotiate should something arise and you really need most or all your money back but please be reasonable and understand I will still need to be paid for services rendered. This means you cannot ask for a full payment back if I have done work (this includes just a sketch). Work is still work and as such when you agreed to buy you agreed to pay for services done. Just as you would expect to get what you paid for a commissioned artist should be able to expect to be paid for what they did. Business is still business even if it's freelance work.
There's also the concept of needing your money back due to unforeseen expenses or emergencies. This is acceptable and will be accommodated as best as possible but please bear in mind if work has been started or even done do not expect a full refund of your purchase's price. Be negotiable and willing to accept that some of the payment will be withdrawn for services rendered. Don't be cranky because someone is asking to be paid for work they have done. If anything as yourself: if you're not willing to take two on the chin in the same situation then don't do that to someone else. Don't expect someone else to do what you wouldn't in the same situation.
Personally I'm almost always willing to work with people for refunds so long as they are reasonable about it and I don't feel I'm being scammed or conned. Don't be afraid to ask about one if you need it but please remember to be reasonable and courteous.


__________________________________________________
I think that about covers it. I know this is a long journal but as I said this will be for future reference if need be and since more than just a few people have been asking I figured it was time to post something of a FAQ on the subject.
There may be more added later or altered at a later date as time goes on but these were the main ones people were asking about.
Sorry for the double journal post in 24hrs.

Inbox spam is complete.

Sorry about that.
I decided to take the day off from working on commissions after finishing that huge image for *ZombieHun (which was fun but omfg a lot of work).
I'll resume work on those tomorrow or Monday (I have Monday off from work so, score!) since I do need a break to let my brain and hands rest a bit.
Been cranking out these commissions one after another it seems and I really don't want to overwork myself and start to get sloppy.

I'll probably finish the few commissions I have for people on FA (granted 2 of the 3 get back to me soon so I can finish theirs) but I also have =shorty-antics-27's *Catbirdwoman's, and *kyubifan's on the 'next to come' list. Still, I DO need a break... My hand is KILLING me at the moment (thank heavens for asprin .__.) so relaxing it is in order.

I want to take a little moment here to thank you guys for the feedback on what I've posted. Both positive and even the 'negative' (if you could even call it that) feedback has helped to keep me going on these, it's really nice to know people still enjoy what I create.
I won't lie... For a while there I'd started to hate doing art simply because I just felt like everything I did looked the same, boring, complacent, mundane... I also felt that no matter what people said it would always been boring and stationary. But then I started working on these commissions (after a kindly boot in the ass from a few people who shall remain unnamed) and I found just how much fun I had initially anticipated for these when I took them on. I'd put them off for so long because I felt I'd fail or ruin them but now it's like doing them has actually FUELED my creativity a bit, stretched my 'talent', and helped rekindle that little light within me that makes art fun for me. Yes, I do art for myself but I love doing art for others be it a commission or even a gift of some kind. I enjoy making people smile and making them feel special with a little gift from the heart.
Anyway, I digress... I meant to say thank you and I was about to go into some long winded 'omfgijustwonsomedamnaward' speech... what the hell brain?
Ah-hem!
Thank you guys~!

I'm taking the day off from dA. I know there's comments I have to read and such but I NEED to take a day off... I already said that but perhaps my saying it multiple times will convince myself I NEED it and I'll actually SIT. ON. MY. ASS. and NOT. DO. ANYTHING.
Even when I'm sitting I feel like I have to DO SOMETHING O____O;;; UGH.
Ok...I'm going to shut up now and go occupy my brain meats with some kind of movie or possibly a game. I don't know.

Cheers,
-Kato

Do you remember back when art thieves were actually 'sorry' for stealing?

This isn't going to be some kind of rant or anything but I watch a lot of people and I've been seeing lately (at least over the last year or two) that many people have been dealing with art thieves and it seems more or less like a lot of the art thieves either won't admit to stealing or even apologize nowadays.
I can still remember confronting a few people who used to trace and copy my work and they were sincerely apologetic about it, complied with taking down the stolen work without much of a fight, and then I even became pretty good friends with a few of them (and still am today).
It's a bit weird how things have changed in that area. Now it seems almost every(other) art thief either puts up a fight or when caught they try to 'troll' or act tough, even when obvious evidence of their thievery is presented.

Now, I'm not talking about people who reference poses or something like that, you can't copyright a pose (duh) and most of the time people don't care/mind if there's a bit of 'inspiration' from their work in someone else's work (at times it's flattering to see your work inspires someone else).
However, I'm talking the people who trace other artist's work and then try to pawn it off as their own accomplishments, you know?
I personally haven't dealt with as much theft of that kind in a while (thankfully) but I'm looking over a case right now where the thief (and their pals) is trying to high heaven to deny stealing/tracing someone's work even though overlays have been presented and the lines match up perfectly.
They even went so far as to alter the images after they were found out, if only to re-size things and distort the anatomy horribly so it's warped and kind of looks...terrible now

Just a little thought bubble I've been having lately. It's rather shocking on how much people will fight against being right when they are in fact very much wrong, haha! It's one thing to reference (with credit if need be) but it's another to just flat out trace another person's art line for line and then pretend you didn't. It's like 'just admit it, apologize, and move on' and it'll be much easier. Buuuuut they often don't and it all just turns into a huge fiasco, people fight, drama ensues, and suddenly something that should be easy to take care of becomes a huge deal.
You'd think stating the obvious and giving visual evidence would be enough to tell someone 'the jig is up' and have them admit defeat and do the right thing by apologizing.

** I should also mention something about the reactions people have to theft but that's a whole other deal entirely. Seems many people blow up and send an armada of watchers at the thief who all insult, threaten, and harass the person. Now, I shouldn't say much about this because I know I have been guilty of it in the past (honestly, who hasn't done it) but I learned my lesson and found it's easier to just report it yourself or try to keep things private.
Even then, with this recent trend of 'badass thieves' it's hard to convince them of civility over hostility it seems and suddenly you're being an asshole for accusing them of stealing when they 'clearly didn't' :I Some even go so far as to say 'you stole from ME!', Haha! (I love that one)
Indeed reactions to things make for a certain outcome or end but it seems no matter what you do these days, how easygoing you handle it the thieves are getting more and more ballsy .__.

Anyway, any thoughts on this subject guys? Have you noticed this too?

UPDATE: Sorry it got cut off lol my internet died :I but I have to run out to the store anyway. I'll try it again when I get back or later tonight.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and watched me shade fur for like...ever
Cheers,
Kato

Seems like I spammed you lot with some old art and commissions, eh?
Sorry about that huge dump of submissions all of a sudden... just kind of felt like posting something here and I had a bunch of stuff from Tumblr that was worth posting in larger format. Unfortunately Tumblr sometimes ruins quality of pieces if they're too high in resolution format.

Ah well. My gallery was looking bleak and grim anyway and this is an art site after all, right?
I'm trying to regulate myself to doing at least 1-2 commissions a day when possible. The larger ones (of which there are only 3 remaining) are for FA customers (although one might be on dA). I've sent two of them WIP shots and one got back to me so I can finish his but the other hasn't yet so... his will be on hold while I finish other ones.
So yeah...

Prepare for more spam... of old art and then 1 or 2 more commissions tomorrow or Wednesday if I can manage it. Can't work on art today as I have a bunch of stuff to do (errands, cleaning, and yard work) but I got two images done today and several done in the last few days so I'd say I can take a day off and do other work, eh?
dA is more fun when you don't make it 'srs bsns' which was what it turned into for a while there... kind of sad really.
Anyway, sorry if I don't reply to things for a bit, going to be rather busy doing stuff (including art and whatnot) but I'll try to get on and read comments and stuff.
Notes got pretty backed up (jfc 99 of them?!?! What, why, guh?! O_O...) so I'll skim through those and answer the ones I have answers form, haha.

That's about all I had to say right now, just a little apology for the overload in random crap, hurhur and an 'I'm busy bbl' sign on the door for a while.

Cheers,
-Kato

To all my commissioners: Please, contact me through email ASAP.

This goes for all commissioners I have or had. If you are unsure of my email (which has no changed) note me and I will send it to you.
Please, again, email me as soon as possible, it is urgent.

Thank you,
-Kato

_{PS: I guess I should say that this isn't an emergency or anything and nothing is wrong. I know it sounds like it but in reality I am just trying to get EVERYONE who has commissioned me to contact me or reply to me. When I had done this before only a spare few people actually did and it was like "... =/"
So nothing is wrong but I would really really appreciate it if all my commissioners would make some attempt to rekindle communications (regularly even) so it's easier to talk and share ideas. Nothing is wrong, just I would REALLY like for everyone whose commissioned me to contact me. Nothing bad, good in fact actually!
Again, thank you~}

There seems to be a trend developing where people are going around using other people's sketches (other artists) as bases for commissions. I saw at least 3 journals about this today O_o
I mean honestly... it's one thing to reference a pose but even then, ask first just in case it's not what a certain artist wants, you know? But it's another thing entirely to copy out the whole sketch, and as a commission no less.

There a re so many great stock resources out there for reference material, many that I use(ed) before for my works, where photos are granted to be used for reference material and practice. Heck, dA is a huge source for these and so long as you follow what rules are placed you can use as much stock as you want.

The first two journals were talking about someone who was tracing a couple well known artist's sketches for commission work (as in not even changing a thing or even just referencing a pose; they copied *or traced* the whole sketch as it was) and then deactivated their accounts when they were caught.
I assume that people aren't getting their money back on this which is a shame they could at least have stuck around for refunds or even given somewhere to contact them otherwise to get refunds =/
_{Despite what people have said about me I would never do something like this. Contrary popular belief I did not and do not trace my commissions, I reference, which is not illegal, wrong, or cheating, and that's referencing stock photos or free-use images when need be (or images someone asked the publisher for me to use as a heavy reference). Referencing is not a crime nor is it illegal so long as credit is given and presented.}
But this...?
Taking things from artist's sketch dumps and stuff and using them as bases for commission drawings? That's just low =/
I had that happen before a couple years ago but it was a point commission and the person admitted to it and refunded my meager 10pts, but still... why would you do that anyway? Sketches are still someone's art y'know?
They're not openly fair game to use because they're sketches, not unless you ask or they say they are free to use/reference.

I'd heard rumors and saw a few mentions about people who were stealing characters from people and asking people to draw the and I didn't believe it myself until it happened to me; someone commissioned me to draw 'their' character and it turns out the character wasn't even theirs. it belonged to someone on FA... So, needless to say I ditched the file and blacklisted them as a client. Luckily they didn't pay in advance but still...It's like what? Really?

I guess the fact there's people tracing/stealing sketches from people and doing this with commissions is what makes it all the worse. If it was personal work it's like 'hey, you stole/copied that' *reports and it's removed...eventually*_{This IS DeviantART after all, the only place slower to get to your number is the DMV} but when you see that they basically traced another artist's sketch for a commission it's like 'Wow... no.' *reports etc* and you sit back and wonder how can someone think that's alright?
Sketches aren't stock photos, use stock photos! They're everywhere! O___O And they teach anatomy and such too!
And then when you see they deactivate their account after being discovered... it's like .___.
Look, I know I shouldn't talk seeing as my commission take a while and I'm not at the top of my A-game here as far as rep goes but this whole thing made me sit back and go 'wow...'
_{I had someone ask me to trace one of *Grypwolf's pictures for a commission because 'the character looks like mine and I like the pose'
... What? No. I asked them if they were kidding and they called me a 'stupid bitch' and blocked me. (Oooookay...)
You pay me for MY work not someone else's =_=;; If you want *Grypwolf's style or work go commissioner her not me, right?
What are people thinking when people come up with this stuff? So it DOES happen... sadly.}

Just thought I'd spread the word on this kind of thing simply because it has been something of a trend it seems (seeing as 3 journals on the same subject matter in one day...) and I know a lot of people who are taking commissions these days. It's a cryin' shame things like this are turning into acts of walking on eggshells.
People are stealing characters/creations, people are stealing other people's work to make a profit (real or fake), and then there are people who are asking/making people do a ton of work and then running off with out paying for it at all.
Commissions used to be a fun business where people could put their faith in one another's abilities to be honest but now with some many dishonest people out there it seems to have clouded everyone's vision and we no longer trust anyone. Everyone is suspect and everyone is a con-artist or a thief at heart.
This is kind of why I won't do them anymore... simply because it isn't fun for many people anymore and my taste for that business has gone sour as of late.
Too much foul play and too much drama that goes with the territory. It's a shame.

So, to those of you who do commissions or buy them be aware that people are doing this and keep your eyes open. It has been going on for a while not but this seems to be a time where there's a spur in this kind of activity going on...
Such a shame
No bitching, no whining, and no ranting here... just legit calm opinion, ok? Relax please with your comments on the matter let's not make this into a flame war over something else.


_{Again, I'm well aware someone will sit there and say (or think) 'well they said you traced your commissions too!' and think 'hypocrite!' but that's not true. I referenced when need be (sometimes heavily with reference photos) but the commissioner(s) did not say a thing nor did they feel cheated that I referenced photos of a real animal to help make their image look proper. Referencing and tracing are two different things.
Younger budding artists are known to trace to learn things in private learning sessions but it's better to closely reference as you will develop the skills you need to draw things better while adding your own 'style' to it instead of it being static as a photo would be (which often happens with traced images).
I's sooner condone referencing and learning over tracing (in ANY instance really) any day.
I won't argue on the subject but with all the stuff floating around in the air about me and other people these days you know someone will take this and flip it so we look guilty or something. Just don't.
With that said, be careful guys...}


Anyway, on a side note today..._{is my birthday -_-
Yay.}

** Alright... well, as with almost all these shock and awe stories about copyright infringement it appears this latest one is a false alarm as well...
[link] <<<--- this basically explains it.

I know I should feel stupid for spreading the word about something that wasn't real but to be honest I am more relieved that it isn't what we initially thought it was.
It did sound a bit weird to me that any government (not even ours) would allow a bill like this to pass... it just didn't make much sense even with the articles and 'proof' shown so... again I am more relieved that it was just an over-amped rumour.
Regardless of this whole Instagram thing not being all it was hyped up to appear to be, it's still a good idea to watermark your work anyway.

My apologies for the journal. I was asked to spread the word so I did, but I didn't know much about it other than what I'd read from other people. It seemed legit but after thinking about it it just didn't add up in a lot of ways. I had mys suspensions because of the actual legality of it all, haha! I was like... "There's no way that is actually legal... this has to be some kind of joke" after a while because after reviewing what was all being said by people and what I'd said based on what people had said... it just sounded so stupid.

In the end it's just another 'freak out' that spread across dA Not the first and won't be the last.
Ah well~
Just thought to give an update on all that shiz. You can all relax for the most part, I was wrong, I am sorry (Well, in my defense I was relaying wrong information so... it's not technically my fault but still... I relayed it so I am no less wrong than those that said it before me.)

-Kato



<sub>I'm sure this kind of thing has been floating around all day but I'll add to the pile of journals informing people about it simply because I'd rather see people knowing about it than having them not and it be too late :C

Anyway, I did some copy/paste here from *DJ88's journal here [link] since I'd rather not write up a whole journal on my own lol (long day at work, lazy, tired, ect)
(Areas I copy pasted are marked with **)

**Read this
"UK.Gov passes Instagram Act"
[link]

Apparently what this entitles is that Instagram (in the UK) is allowed to use unwatermarked/unclaimed artwork/images to sell and use.
This means that everyone should in essence start watermarking their work if they do not want it being used/sold/taken.
I know people don't like watermarks as many view that they obscure and obstruct artwork's quality but it's probably a huge help in detouring theft.
If you're unsure of how to use watermarks here's a tutorial that explains it fairly well -- [link]

** Watermark, multiple times if you have to. Watermark with your name or artist name, and watermark with your main websites (Example, I put "NinjaKato.Deviantart.com" on the bottom of my recent images.) Or I put the noticeable and often times hard to remove "NinjaKato" or "©NinjaKato" over the faces/characters of my drawings I upload.

Or in other cases I have the larger watermarks which is, yes, annoying to a point but when you'd have your art taken as much as I have in the last several years you tend to savvy up to that kind of thing.
You don't have to like slather a ton of watermarks on your image or make them bright and obnoxious but if you put multiples it's harder for people to remove them easily without ruining the overall image.
So in essence it's either 'have a watermark with is a bit obnoxious' or 'have a really crappy quality picture that you can see detail in anyway'
I think in that toss up watermarking wins, haha!

Technically your work is already copyrighted but if it's not marked by law it's considered 'orphaned work' meaning it's up for grabs due to now obvious ownership. [Kind of like finding a stray cat or dog on the street without a collar... no owner then you can technically take it home with you.]
It's wrong but thus is the world we live in.
** Do not let your art become "orphaned works".

Watermark your work. You can do it in any program.
In fact before I got Photoshop back on this laptop I'd write out my dA URL in MSWord or MSPaint and copy paste it on my drawings in SAI. It was cheesy and looked weird at times but it worked just as well.
**Any other program? Google a tutorial. I am not an expert on every program. If the program does not offer text, you can add the signature through copying/pasting, or drawing it by hand with the Tablet/mouse, or even Scan it in.

Protect your work; watermark it.
it's not a guaranteed 'cure all' but it may help it to be passed over by people looking for an easy profit. Technically you're not allowed to sell or take profit from works with ©'s on them but that's not a promised saving grace. A © symbol alone doesn't mean the image is yours, your name has to be on it somewhere and it also helps to post a link to the site it was originally posted on (ie: your dA page) so it can be tracked to it's original source.

The only other option is to stop posting your work online but I'm sure a lot of you don't want to stop sharing your work so if anything watermark it

Ok...well apparently I did feel like writing my own journal about it. Thought for sure a vast majority of this would be copy/paste.
Oh well...

Cheers,

-Kato

PS: There is a concept that this is just for works posted on Instagram however, people DO post stuff from dA on Instagram (there's been cases of theft going on there many times now) so yes in essence this kind of thing does have an affect on dA's members. If your work is not watermarked and someone takes it and uploads it to Instagram, they can by rights use it.
This isn't just a UK thing either. The bill was passed in the UK but since the internet is universal and global even if you're from the US it affects your work too. Many people in the US post their pictures and stuff on Instagram as well.

Feel free to re-post this (with username changes of course lol) if you wish to spread the word.</sub>

Nevermind! I was able to get it back thanks to some helpful advice by a few users here I was able to get my email folder back from the grips of deletion doom! For a moment there I felt like I was going to die! I was literally like 'Oh f*ck NOOOOOOOO!'
PHEW! Thank goodness the folder sat in the 'deleted' area still O___________O Ever since Hotmail became 'Outlook' finding anything is difficult as it's different, haha!
OMG, wow. Thank goodness! Thought I'd made a serious boo-boo then so I was hoping people would helped get that information back. It wasn't all remaining commissions as much as it was 'updated' ones.
Still, as always regardless you're always welcome to email me for progress or anything. I don't mind

I still wouldn't mind updated info for *kyubifan ~Caevyr ~Cynn-L *Catbirdwoman and ~InfiniteLoup as I am pretty sure your commissions had been recently updated with new references or even settings/expressions/etc.
Updated links to characters and such would be awesome as well since I'd prefer not to guess on your characters
JUST to be sure I have things right. I'm pretty sure I have updated images/character sheets up these commissions (the ones above) are multiple character ones and were updated with new characters within the last month or so.
At least at this point I'm pretty safe with the sketches and such so I can finish them anyway but just to be safe. I'd also wouldn't mind if my commissioners (ALL of them) would contact me at any point just so I know you're alive and well. A few of you have been rather distant as of late, which is understandable seeing as we all have lives and such, but it would be wonderful to hear from you guys again!
As always commissioners are welcome to email me and ask questions or ask for updates and such. I don't mind so long as it's not every hour on the hours
If you forgot or don't have my business email ask me and I'll send it in a note to you
Anyway, thanks guys :3 Sorry for the inbox spam haha, I was just really worried/concerned

Still, thank you to those of you who did email me with updated information as well as a little message ^^ I'm working at the moment but I will reply to emails tonight.
Cheers,
-Kato



OLD JOURNAL (so people aren't all confused as to what happened lol)
________________________
<sub>My 'commission information' folder on Hotmail was deleted instead of another one.
I have contacted with Hotmail to see if I can get it back and am awaiting a reply from them.
I say freak accident but it was more likely a glitch on their part. I clicked to delete a 'coupons and sales' folder and it was just below the 'commissions information' folder.

At this point since I am so close to having commissions all done and completed (as in them all actually being done and sent out to people) the remaining commissions are ones that had recently been changed (meaning I had to alter or even redo the whole commission).
However, with my folder being gone I no longer have the information for a few commissions (ones that had been changed within the last week).
So, I am asking that those with remaining commissions (which haven't been sent out) EMAIL me with the updated information on your commission again and this time I'll put all that information into a word document for safe keeping. I'd of thought Hotmail/Outlook would have worked well enough for that but glitches happen I guess.
Those of you who have gotten their commissions thank you for your business as well as your patience
Since a most of the commissions left to do are from people on dA I'm posting thing here so those people can email me with their information.
Even if your commission wasn't to be updated you are welcome to email me to get in contact, I don't mind at all! I plan to work tomorrow on more commissions so I'll be online as often as I can be to get those emails.
Commissions are closed for a while even after these are done. After I get all the smaller commissions done I'd just like to take some time off from them and lay low. Took on too many at once and it's worn me out so chances are I'll avoid them for a while after these are all done, haha!
I'll also have a set limit from now on if I ever open any more in the future. No more than 4-5 at a time and smaller ones. The larger ones are too much of a hassle so no more of those, right? I think that's a good idea for the most part. I have enough work on my plate outside the internet and commissions that I really shouldn't take on more so... commissions will be closed for quite some time now.</sub>

Thank you guys
-Kato

PS: I hope you guys are doing well, and I hope all of you have a wonderful day/night wherever you are

Hello watchers and friends,


After extending the plea for previous commissioners to come forth, more so those that found themselves disappointed with my services or myself in the past, one person has come forth and shed some light on the situation. No, they were/are not the one who seems to be the causing 'problems' but they did come forth and inform me of a few things for which I am grateful. For a respect of their privacy I will not name them and I shouldn't have to. The business issue was resolved between us and at this point there's no ill feelings as far as I can tell.
No further information has come forth which is in and of itself slightly disappointing but also reliving in some way. It shows this was either a scam situation or perhaps who ever is doing this realizes(d) what they're doing is uncalled for and if more unjust due to how simple the matter could have been resolved had they come to me first. I did (back in the day) have a poor understanding of commissions as they were more or less like art trades, and my communications may have been poor. However, there was a reason I didn't take on many back then, I didn't know how to handle them.
My most recent batch is yes, taking some time to complete, however this is due to many reasons and not all of it laziness. I do have a life and other requirements that take up time and prevent me from drawing. Still, I am trying to work through them as quickly as possible, even more so having this huge kick in the fanny of knowing someone somewhere out there is causing problems with unfinished commissions.

The good news is since I have had some time to cool down I've also come to realize that although this place has a sour taste to it and I am not too fond of the management it's really a good place for motivation and inspiration. I have missed seeing the artwork from those I watch and although yes, I would pop on for a few minutes every other day to check up on messages, I didn't linger long enough to do much of anything else in fear I'd either get burned or get angry for whatever reason. I didn't want to give the trolls any reason to come after me and I just wanted to avoid trouble.
Thing is, at this point there's very little more anyone can do. My reputation in parts of the internet is permanently marred, people already assume they know me without even talking to me, and I'm already known as a 'bad influence' so how much more can they do to me aside from beat me up or mug me in the streets?
My main fear was a stupid Encyclopedia Dramatica article. For whatever reason the threat of one of those things is enough to make anyone keep on a straight and narrow line without so much as a bad move but it's impossible to be perfect. Yes, I made mistakes and yes I HAVE paid for them. What more can I do?
The only thing I can do is try to move on and mend what I can in the future.

This isn't going to turn into a long ranty journal because I don't want to rant, I just want to 'be'. That's all. It will probably be a long journal though as I have much to say here.
So, I am going to slowly try to slowly worm my way back onto here in the coming weeks. I still do want to see the artwork and I still want to talk to my friends who are on here exclusively.
I do have to say this, and forgive me if it does sound 'ventish'-- I had a good reason to leave for a while. I had initially planned on it being a few months but when I talked to my friends and to people who knew me better than anyone online I came to realize that yes... I was being childish. Not because I ran away but because I let it impact me to that point.
After all, this is the internet and so many times people say 'don't take it so seriously'. I guess what spoiled it was having people come after me for things, being advocates and messengers for someone else who should have come to me in the first place. That was what made me mad. Not the taunting, not the teasing, not even the 'furry' remarks. Those I could care less about. I know who I am and regardless of what people say who I am isn't going to change. I've no need to 'prove' anything anyone. If they want to know me better they can come to me and that's just how it is. I'v no reason to care about people who choose to know someone based on the opinions of others.

So, in the end yes, this whole situation did push me away but it also brought me back with a new knowledge as well as a thicker hide.
I know people are going to spit in my face and call me a hypocrite, liar, drama-queen, stupid, and all other assorted names but honestly I don't care.
Leaving was my choice as is coming back in whatever fashion I choose. I am an adult and I can make my own decisions. Say what you wish but it's not going to change my mind. You can try to chase me away and mark me with a proverbial red letter but at this point in my life a website is just a website and strangers are just strangers. I can easily ignore the man making kissy faces at me while waiting for the bus to work so I can just as easily ignore the people who want to try and make me feel inadequate. Especially when their actions and accusations are based upon the mistakes in the past or those of others and not myself. I am not Blueshinewolf, Kayfedewa, or any other person on here. Their actions and mistakes are not mine so please, don't put that blame on my shoulders.
If you have a problem with me you come to me about it. Don't run off to tell others and have them come attack me. Act a bit more mature and face me; the person offending you. I'm the only one who can truly help resolve the issue between us and if you treat me with respect then you will receive it. I can promise you that.
Regardless of what I have done in the past a lot has changed in the last couple weeks as a result of this situation but one this will never change; my desire to be a good person.

I know this is lengthy and I commend you for sticking with it this long as I am pretty well pouring my heart into this journals because these things need(ed) to be said.
This is the internet and although I myself like to think people should be genuine regardless for where they are, the world doesn't see it that way. The internet is a place where anyone can be anybody and get away with almost anything. It's time I faced up to that and reminded myself that I am on here for the fun of it, not the politics.
I didn't join an art site back in 2004 to become an idol and to be honest if you'd of told me that was what was going to happen I'd of laughed in your face.
But here I am somehow so well known (and liked) for whatever reason but the root cause of it is my artwork. That's why I joined and why I am still here. The art.
Yes, I have friends here but after being absent from here for a while those people still remained in contact with me on sources outside dA.
I found the main thing I missed was the artwork and the inspiration it gave. I found it rather depressing that I had no affiliation with a place that had once been such a huge help in my improvement.
It was here that people plagued me and begged me to use more reference material and to learn anatomy and it really DID help. It was here that people informed me of stock photos that could be used as reference to help better my art skills, and it was here that people helped encourage and even push me to do more.
But it's also here that showed me just how cruel and selfish the people of this world can be. It's a cold hard fact but it's just how it is.
There's no rose coloured lenses anymore and at this point who I am and the person you'll deal with from here on out will be someone who is who they are regardless.

However, I won't be too serious unless need be. This site is meant to be fun and regardless of how much of a pain in the backside it can be it can't be too bad as I am still willing to give it another shot. It's not pathetic but more or less just realizing it's no big deal. bad things happen, we do stupid stuff, and we learn from our mistakes and try again. I don't know if you guys know this but I'm not a person to just 'give up' easily; roll over belly up in my own urine.
Yeah, I get scared, and yes I get mad and say stupid things but in the end it's the fact I realize I made mistakes that make it feel a bit less like failure and more like human nature.
I sat back last night and actually laughed about this situation. I flipped back to the words being said the 'fights' that were played out and I laughed, more at myself than anyone. Here I was someone who always claimed to be so tough and thick skinned, I was scared and terrified of people who didn't even know me.
The person who came forth to actually talk to me really helped plant a seed of trust again; showing there still are good and honest people out there among the people who want to ruin you.
My watchers, bless you all, have been supportive regardless of the things that have been said about me. You stood up for me even when I didn't deserve it, even when I had retreated you fought for me. For that I am eternally grateful. I know this is just going to seem like another one of those long journals where I babble endlessly but I really hope someone somewhere actually reads this.

My last journal and the responses it got really surprised me but then again it didn't entirely. I knew well that there were going to be people who'd sit there and speculate or make waves but in the end it just proved what's what.
Yeah, my watchers may be 14-17 year old kids but a lot of them are smart, mature, and really nice people who are a part of the world that doesn't let stupid things ruin everything. For that I'm glad because I'm pretty sure at some point in the future I will mess up again and make mistakes, I can't help it I was made imperfect. I kind of like being imperfect because I love learning and what better way to learn than through mistakes? Yeah, the mistakes hurt but wounds heal, hearts heal.
The knowledge you gain from your mistakes remains forever long after the stitches come out and the pain subsides.

I know I said I wouldn't come back for a long time and this is still partially true. I'm unsure of how much I want to put out there but I'm also sure I'm not going to be pushed around by strangers. I didn't get as far as I have in life by letting bad things win and defeat me. I didn't quit my job at KWK Electric because of bad things happening, I did it because I wanted to move on to something better and I did. Something much better. I got more than a job I got a career now.
I didn't get where I am by staying down when I fell... I stood back up and kept walking because that's who I am. It's who I was trained to be and it's who I'll continue to be.
So fine, mark me with bad words, call me names... try to make my life a living Hell, but you know what? You won't break me and I won't be so easily defeated.
After all... it's just the internet, right?

In closing I just want to apologize for my actions as of late. I did things and said things that were stupid and I did deserve what I got in a lot of ways. That fact won't change, it still was my fault. Maybe not the accusations of commissions (from years ago) not being done because that is still incredibly hard to believe without evidence, but the fact that I put myself out there and allowed it to continue for so long. I did it out of fear and anger, that was my mistake.
I am sorry I didn't behave with more decorum, I should have known better.
I also want to thank each and every one of you as best I can. I know it's not much but all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Art wise I probably will remain off the map as far as uploading on this site goes. I've still been drawing but it's mostly commissions. Some personal work has been done but that's posted on Tumblr. I will repeat what I said before by saying all commission information and such will be done through email and NOT out in the open. I'd prefer to keep my business with my customers between us and not the whole world unless need be. A few of you have let me know you would allow your work to be posted on dA but as of right now I'm unsure if I want to do that. We shall see. For now pieces will be posted through email only.

I will be here commenting and favouriting things now though. I still enjoy the artwork and I like that area of this community. It'd be stupid to deprive myself of that because of other things I don't like. Perhaps as time goes on things will change and as the moths are lured to another flame I'll be able to be left in peace to do what I do; my art. That's all. Just do my art, hang with my friends, and enjoy good/great artwork by others. This place should be somewhere I want to enjoy when I come home from work, haha! So that's what I'll make it. Simple as that.
I'm not angry and I hold no ill feelings toward anyone (not even the trolls) because what happened happened. What's done is done and there's no sense in letting it keep me bitter about things. Life's too short to linger on silly matters like taunting, teasing, and lying.
I was upset and I was scared but now I've made my peace with it. I will still await any information or contact from people who are looking to mend past problems/issues but I won't hold my breath on it as I know it's possible that may never happen. However, know the extension is out there and I will be here. I will try to mend or remedy the situation as best I am able at the time.

I shouldn't even mention the people who may have a mind to come after me and call me names or start and uproar over my 'coming back to post a journal'.
However, what I will say is 'just don't'. It's not worth it because it won't make me feel bad about it and it won't make me blush. It's my account and as such I am welcome to come back whenever I please as I please. Like it or not it's just how it is. Don't rock the boat and make waves, please?
If you don't support my decision and you don't like me then leave. No one is making you read these or making you watch me. If you don't like it then leave, I won't think ill of you for it either as long as you do it silently as there's really no need to announce you're unwatching me... all it does is cause problems or make you appear like you want attention or accolades for your decision. So if you plan to unwatch me just do it and be done with it, I don't need to know and I don't want to know.
Not trying to be mean but I'd like to avoid drama here and saying 'I'm unwatching you because you--------' will only cause it because even when I won't care about it someone else will and it'll start something.
So don't say it just do it.

Alright, that said I'm going to go rummage through my messages and enjoy some artwork and gradually start to pick up the pieces of what was broken here to rebuild it, or at least mend it so it's usable again.
Cheers,
-Kato

PS: From here on out I will have no problem using that 'block list' and I will put any one there who feels like starting an unnecessary fight. If you come at me with accusations you'd better have the visual evidence to back it up and I will be able to tell if you're faking evidence. Photoshop may be handy to make lies appear as truths but I know how to use Photoshop too and I can tell when someone's faking evidence.
Should you come at me with a desire to troll or start a fight I will block you. I'd sooner have a block list a mile long than be engulfed in fights with random people who want to make me feel bad about something I shouldn't. Just sayin'.

It's been a week or so (I don't know) and it seems things have settled down a bit which is good to say the least.
I'm just popping on to let you guys know a few things because there's some speculation as well as assumptions about some stuff that either isn't true or should be corrected.

After some time as well as some discussions with friends from here and offline I'm decided to just take a really long extended leave from Deviantart. At first I was going to leave for good but I made that decision when I was in a bad mood so it was hasty. I do enjoy this place to whatever degree is still enjoyable (the art, my friends, good things) but as I said many times before it's starting to become more of a hassle than a happy experience so it's time to step away for a while.

I AM still doing commissions and in fact I'm looking to keep everything PRIVATE between me and my commissioner through emails. Since I'm not going to be active on dA anymore (not for quite some time) commissions will be discussed and received through email. This also includes commissions I ordered from here.
I will be opening some more commissions slots in the middle of May regardless of whether or not I have the smaller commissions from this previous batch done because I WILL need to start saving up some spare money for later in the year (personal reasons). I'll announce the opening of those on my Tumblr and my website.
It is possible that these will open later if I don't get enough work on previous commissions done but I'm going to try and get through these all in a timely manner.
We shall see.

I've got around 80 notes guys and about 90% of them are asking for information about where I am or why I'm not here anymore (kind of redundant given that I'm here now but). If you need an explanation read the journals before this one and you'll see why. I'd rather not have to explain it all over.
I won't be answering anything on here (this includes comments AND notes) so if you do have anything important to say hop on over and ask through Tumblr or my FA page. I'm not terribly active on FA (Furaffinity) but I pop on there occasionally to check messages and such (somewhat as I do here but on here I got so many it's a bit overwhelming). I'm not that well known on FA so, haha, not nearly as comment traffic and I can see/read them easier. Here things tend(ed) to get buried at times so it was hard to weed out specific comments.
If you don't know my Tumblr or my FA page look around. I'm not in hiding guys and you should be able to find me fairly easily.
Tumblr, YoutTube, FA, Nabyn, and dA are the only places I am online (Facebook too but I don't add just anyone so...)

Lastly, as far as these 'rumours' go I'm pretty much over it so that is no longer the reason I'm not on dA anymore. It was more or less the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. At this point I just need a nice easygoing break from this place and instead of being active I may just come back and lurk around rather than post things. The attention I got brought in way too much negativity (more so by association than reason) and I didn't like what was going on due to it.
So, I'm taking a breather and letting the spotlight die down a bit and letting the crowd simmer down so to speak. I've no desire for fame or fortune from this place. Never have, never will. I just want to do my art, have fun with it, and be treated just like anyone else here. Instead I got singled out and pigeon holed; type-casted in a role I had no business playing. That's not my cup of tea so it's time to step out and get away. That's all.
I don't think ill of any of you and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I do have to say that dA's admins could have handled the situation a LOT better but what can you do?
This is getting too long... erm...

In the end, I'm not dead. I'm not gone from the internet and I'm not completely gone from dA. I'm just...not here anymore. Not like I used to be.
A few suggested a new account, start over unknown, but the fact is I did that last time (this is my 2nd account) and well... I didn't stay 'unknown' for very long for whatever reason and somehow I wound up with a ton of watchers and attention again. It's...strange to be but still, I won't linger on all that.
In the end I'm on a long long long break. I don't know for how long and I won't even say a speculator time frame. It's as long as I see fit.
No one is going to make me feel guilty for it and drag me back and no one is going to make me feel guilty or like a coward for 'running away'. I'm walking, not running.
I'm willingly stepping back and doing something else, ok? No one actually 'chased' me off guys, the trolls didn't 'win'. In fact they kind of lost...
Anyway... moving on.

Thanks for the support guys. I did/have read all the comments you guys left and although it did make me tear up a little to see such humbling remarks and praise I have to do this. If you need to get a hold of me, send me information/my commissions, shoot me an email OR come to my Tumblr.
To those of you who can't/don't get(have) a Tumblr you can try to note me on here but I can't promise I'll answer right away.

EDIT: I almost forgot to mention the 'D.o.W' contest. It's done being judged and I'm working on a page for my website to have the winners placed as well as what they won. Sorry it took a while but I had to get all the judges to do their thing and so on and so forth. It's not forgotten.


Thanks again guys I'll see around,
-Kato

PS: I still am looking for any information on, about, or from the person who started the rumours on FA. So far no one has come forth with any information so I'm simply going to ignore it. If the person responsible for all the commotion isn't brave enough to come directly to me and help/ask to solve or resolve the issue they have with me then I have no further need to think on it. At this point if my reputation with a few is marred, so be it. Those that will believe the hearsay of another rather than the words of the one they want to know about kind of deserve what they get for their ignorance. Sounds cruel but... Anyway, the extended hand is still open if you have information you'd like to share. No obligation.


_{** Ok wow... how did I know this would happen?
Ohhhhkay... slow down people, please put on the breaks.
I came back because I was being told by others that people were concerned about things. I also got a big handful of notes asking about these things. I'm not going to go through them all and answer them as it would pretty much defeat the purpose of leaving for a while. So, I post a journal so they can get their answer here.
I didn't come back to say 'hey gais, I'm back!'
A journal update is hardly me 'coming back'.
That's NOT the intention here. This IS my account and I can still come on it and post an update like this.
Calm down a bit, ok?
So we are clear: I came back to let the people who were concerned about things know what's going on with notes, contests, and some other assorted stuff. Important stuff.
Not everyone who watches me here watches my Tumblr so posting information on these things on there would be stupid as the people who would want to know wouldn't.
Calm down, please. Stop throwing all these accusations around. It's kind of one of the reasons I don't want to be here simply because you say one thing and people take it way out of context.
Relax. It's an update for the people who WANT to know it... not an announcement I'm back. I am NOT active here anymore but that doesn't mean I'm just going to leave people who want to know about certain things in the dark, ok?
People have these concerns and this journal was to let them know what's what.
Honestly, calm down. Not trying to yell but stop it already, please. A simple update isn't a betrayal of anything, am not back and I'm not coming 'back' for a long time.
I can still update if I see if and when I think there's a need to.
Dislike it all you want but it's my choice and I'd appreciate it greatly if people didn't ridicule or guilt me for doing it =/
So please, calm down a bit.}

Since Saturday a lot has come up and new information has been brought forth that I think needs sharing. I posted this on my FA page as well but I am posting it here because I know some people who watch me over on that site watch me here as well. They're not active on that site (neither am I really).
No, I am not 'back' I just have to ask this to all of you since I asked on FA. It concerns both accusations against me as well as my commissioners.

-----------------------------------
REPOST from FA: This was my initial thought that it was someone upset with me but not actually coming to me about it.
<sub>Apparently someone on here (FA) who commissioned me has an issue with my timing and services. They're telling other people but have yet to contact me about it.
THIS I don't like.
If you have a problem with me you come to ME. I will refund you your money but I can't if you don't say you want it back. It's logic. If I don't know you want a refund I can't exactly refund you, so please... whoever you are, if you are dissatisfied with my timing and want your money back please, contact my email!
If you don't know it note me here on FA then.
Stop telling other people I'm a bad person or a con-artist just because you're dissatisfied with my services. So far NO ONE I repeat, NO ONE else that is commissioning me has said they're sick of waiting and are willing to wait for their commissions because they KNOW they're not the only ones on the list of things to do.
I remembered getting an email a little while back saying there was someone FA who was spreading rumours about me and my commissions, telling people I'm a con-artist and a thief. I thought nothing of it because people will say anything, but after reviewing some of the information people are saying on my dA page it was brought back to my attention.

** "1/04/13: "Also, I thought that you should know that a week and a half ago, someone noted me on FA calling you a thief and saying that I was being scammed. They had no proof besides that accusation and I think they were misinformed or mistaking you for someone else, but as this effects you directly, I wanted to let you know. Just in case they try to make trouble for you or this is some kind of rumor going around. Or, worse of all, there is someone on DA (they used your deviantart name, not your FA name to inform me of this) using your name to scam people out of money. Just thought you should keep an eye out or maybe see if this person has tried to contact any of the other people that have found you through furaffinity."** -- The email sent to me from another commissioner back in January.

NONE of my dA commissioners have had any issues (not that I'm aware of) so it HAS to be someone from here.
I don't have a lot of people from here commissioning me (only a few) so it has to be one of you.
Whoever you are, contact me. Stop spreading rumours and even lies about things you can only speculate on. That's rude and uncalled for. If you have a problem with me, you come to ME about it.
This rumour that I have a ton of dissatisfied customers all over the place is complete bullshit.
Sorry, but it is.
Every one who has commissioned me has been in contact with me through email, spare for a couple people who are late in their replies but they act least contact me.
ONE person hasn't. I will not name you but if it is you that's spreading all this nonsense, knock it off, seriously!
If you have a problem with me and my services you come to ME and contact me. I WILL refund your money accordingly! But you NEED to come to me and let me know you want a refund otherwise I don't know who you are.
I've refunded 2 people already and they have no ill claims against me that I know of.
(Todd I'll be sending you the sketch asap; let me know if you prefer email or FA notes to get it)  
I don't know who you are but I am sick of this ring-around-the-rosy of people claiming I have all these dissatisfied customers because THEY'RE NOT TELLING ME about their dissatisfaction!
So I ask again, contact me! This goes for ALL my commissioners from FA.
Tell me if you are sick of waiting and let me know if you'd like to arrange a refund or not.
Honestly... This is just plain ridiculous. Find out it's someone on FA that's pulling a fit for waiting and not getting a refund but I haven't heard a PEEP from anyone from here aside from 3 people (who have been contacting me regularly anyway).
It's like being in high school all over again; rumours and whispers behind someone's back but never confront them.
=/
This is just plain silly, contact me, please? Thank you. I'd like to get this all sorted.</sub>
-----------------------------------



** This isn't a rant or something, nor a sign I'm back.
I just want to get to the bottom of this. If there's someone going around using my name _{(not that one ~Ninja-Kato person, he's clean as far as I know)} scamming people or something... that'll be a kick in the teeth. I doubt that's the case but still, you never know in this day and age.
This all doesn't make sense to have people saying I have a ton of dissatisfied customers and here NONE of them have come to me saying anything at all. No one from dA nor FA have come to me to tell me they're upset with me and that they think I'm scamming them. The two people who asked for refunds got their money and the rest haven't said anything at all about wanting refunds.
It just doesn't make sense.
Sorry, I know I said I was leaving (and I am actually gone) but if something is going on; if someone IS spreading lies (which they are) I want to get to the bottom of it. I do NOT have a million and one commissions going (20 at most) and only a few of those were above $50. Right now only 3 remain that are at $100 and those people they're for are still in contact with me.
The rest of these commissions are $15-$40 at most and even those people are fine with waiting. So WHO is this person who is saying all this stuff?
That I'm a scammer and a con artist/thief? It can't be any one who is currently commissioning me nor could it be anyone who asked for a refund. Only 2 people asked for them and they got their money back.

So it has to be either a scammer or someone who is literally spreading lies. You can contact any one of the people on that current commissions list and ask them if they have any issues with their commissions and such. Any one of them can be contacted and asked on dA. So it's not them.
It has to be someone on FA or something. I don't know who but I want to get to the end of this, soon.
So far it's only been someone contacting people on FA using my dA username as a referral (not my FA name), but I don't know if they're doing the same on dA or not.

If you know anything at all, contact me on FA or Tumblr. If someone confronted you on FA saying I was a scammer and such TELL ME WHO it was, please?
The person who contacted me back in Jan didn't tell me (it's their right, they didn't have to as they didn't see it as a credible problem).
However after reading some of the information people are sending me as well as saying is being claimed on here by the 'trolls' (who aren't really trolls) it's starting to look very very suspicious. Especially when you run through all the variables and evidence at hand. Something isn't adding up.
At first you think they're making stuff up but then it's like 'wait...' I don't think they're lying at all! Something is going on here and it's either a scammer using my name/art or it's someone who is a commissioner who's making a big deal but not coming to me about it.
If you know ANYTHING, contact me please! Thank you!

** To the people monitoring my account for activity I ask you to please back off and listen to what I am saying/asking. I know it seems like some kind of excuse or that I'm pulling a 'Blueshinewolf' by doing this but I am genuinely concerned about this situation.
The facts don't add up. There's no visual evidence to back up this claim that people are saying I'm stealing money and such, just accusations.
Someone is going around on FA telling people I'm a scammer/thief yet they don't come to me about it? My commissioners haven't said anything to me about being unsatisfied/unhappy/upset.
It doesn't add up.
You can go to that list that's on my journal page and see the people who are currently on my list of commissions from dA and you can talk to any of them if you so wish. Ask them if they're dissatisfied or haven't gotten their money back all you want.
Same with those on FA if you can find the few people who commissioned me on there.
I know you're not making stuff up, you had to have had a reason to come at me and it wasn't just the journals. Your main reason you spout is I'm a money thief.
I ask that any one of you contact me if you can tell me who is your source. I'd like to know who it is that gave you your information/evidence.
I ask this on neutral terms, not as an invite for argument. I really want to know who it was.
Yes, I am aware that I risk bring on the doom of an ED article because I came back on and wrote ANOTHER huge journal but honestly I'd sooner fix this than just run off and have it lingering forever. If this is all part of a huge misunderstanding or sadly worse, a scammer situation, I want it resolved and done.
There's not much to argue with here and I don't want to argue at all. I want answers and I want to fix this particular situation.
I know people are calling you 'just trolls' but all of you have the same basic reason for being here which tells me something is going on here that I'm unaware of but should be. It can't just be the rant journals alone that led you here.
I ask you to enlighten me. I mean this honestly, not as a joke nor a snappy comeback. I am asking for YOUR help in solving this issue since you all seem to know something my commissioners and I don't.


-Kato

PS: This is NOT an excuse guys... I am really fed up with this situation and with new developments like these it's hard to sit back and just 'let it slide'. These 'trolls' as you call them have given me substantial reasons to be concerned about what's going on. So, I thank them for that. Saying it was people on FA specifically that are having issues is what triggered the memory of that email I was sent.
I only have a few commissions from people on FA... not a ton/million.
Most of my current commissions online are from people on dA. How odd. If you do contact me about this use my email or Tumblr only. DON'T use dA notes.

_{ALSO: If anyone contacts you with names like: NinkaKato, Ninja_kato, NINJAKATO, Sterling_Kato, or KatoNinja, or any other names or accounts other than this one or my FA one let me know. They are NOT me.
This was my only active account on dA. I also don't have accounts on Weasly, Instagram, Picsa, or anywhere else other than FA, dA, Nabyn, YouTube, and my own website.}

Dear friends,

I came back here this morning to bid a silent farewell to this place, a place I'd been a part of for a long time, and then I see the comments so many of you have left on my page and on the journal that was written by the wonderful Vris.  It made me realize a lot of things… some good and some bad.
The main thing it made me see was just how much I had changed as a person and how much I should try to change further.
There's probably a million and one things I could sit here and say to any one of you but at this point I think actions could speak louder than words every could. I won't sit here and promise that I'll change everything or that I'll become a better person because that won't mean anything if it's just words. Many of you have stood by me and helped encourage me through hard times and praise me through good times. For that I am eternally grateful and I can only hope that I can somehow be just as amazing as you are one day.

To some of you I have become something of a hassle or a snob. I admit, my attitude isn't the best but it is a part of me. I am open minded but I'm also open mouthed on many things but I can understand now that perhaps it's time to lay the time of opinions to rest and just keep them to those who know me best for they'll know better when I'm in a mood that I don't mean anything by it.
The few of you who think I need an attitude adjustment yes, you may be right in some areas but in retrospect there's just some areas of my personality that I won't change because in real life they do actually benefit me. Maybe not online but there are times when one can feel so comfortable in a place where they feel as if they can share certain things.
dA has been basically my main hub online for quite some time now and I have come to see it as a place where I can be myself rather than having to put on this façade of a tough guy or something just to keep people at bay. I guess that means I get too comfortable and say too much at times, I can be overly opinionated and even a bit pushy but I never intend to belittle or make anyone feel like their opinions mean any less than my own. I sincerely apologize to anyone who I may have done this to, I didn't realize at the time and I am truly sorry.

I am very very very sorry for being slow about commissions. Yes, I know people are waiting and believe, there isn't a single day that does by that I don't work on them or even plan/plot them out at least.
These commissions mean the world to me not only because they help me pay bills and such, but because they give me confidence that people like my work enough to want a personal piece. I think for anyone that is a huge honour, and as such I want those commissions to be the best I can do so I take a long time on them. I could easily crank them out as I do with personal art but personal art is usually just random ideas I have that have meaning to only me at the time, not others.  Their impact on others is happenstance. Commissions are special and I want them to be my best works if possible.  This is why they take so long. Still, I do need to work on managing my time more but I do want people to take into account that I do have a life, a job, and other responsibilities to take care of every single day. I cannot always draw, even when I want to or need to. The day doesn't allow more than 24 hours for getting anything done. However I WILL try my hardest to be more diligent and timelier with those commissions.

To the accusations of tracing and such: I reference, sometimes heavily but that is only for personal works, and I always say when I have referenced simply because I don't want people thinking I don't do it like everyone else because I do. I reference a lot and it's helped me to get much better at things.
Anyone is entitled to believe what they want but I know the truth and that's pretty much all that matters, right? It doesn't bother me anymore because rumours will spread no matter what you say to denounce them.

In the past I've said 'I'm leaving' and wound up coming back only a short time later. This perhaps brought on this impression that I'm doing it for attention to many, more than just the trolls I am sure.
The attention it brought was from friends and people who wanted to give their attention mostly but it also brought the attention of people who would continue to watch me and monitor my activity and what I did on account of what others have done before me.  While I can't say this is fair I can't say I blame them at all. If the shoe fits… sometime you have to realize you'll wear it regardless of whether or not you like it.
Them having that impression of me is MY fault regardless of whether or not I say it is. I did this and I presented myself as someone who was pushy, arrogant, snappy, and at times rude. I understand that now and although it's only taken a short time to uncover this information please believe me when I say I am sorry. As I said there are times when a place can be comfortable and people can seem so welcoming that you open your mouth and say things you think are innocent and just 'opinions' but you forget that not everyone will agree with you. Some will even stand against you in civility or even hostility.
I agree with many of you that I have acted childish in my replies but again who hasn't?  When we get upset we say things even do things that aren't always the best way of handling things.
Some have brought up my ages a factor for my behavior but that's a tad unfair to say the least. Age doesn't dictate anyone's level of tolerance or wisdom and in this day and age we should realize this and leave age out of it. You can be 100 years old and still be as ignorant as a child in many ways of life. It depends on who you are.  Still, I will try to be a bit more mature about things.

From now on I think I will keep anything that could be 'rant' related to either myself or even my Tumblr or Blogger. I realize now that even though many will say they don't mind them dA is not a place for rants or vents like what I did. I thought it was ok to place open feelings on a place that was supposed to be about such things but I was wrong. Please don't take this as me saying dA is a bad place because that's not what I mean. I am saying dA is a place where certain things should just be kept silent and out of the public eye. This was MY mistake and I will learn from it finally.
After reading comments here it seems that is the main problem people had; that and my attitude.
Whichever one is worse doesn't matter and whichever one people think needs adjusting doesn't matter either. Both can be fixed by keeping silent at most times and just being who I am but with restraint.

I can't promise perfection and I won't because it's literally impossible to be a perfect human being.
I will have bad days but I will keep them to myself as best I can (spare for some vent art here and there maybe) but please, don't think me be a bad person?
Yes, what people say does matter to me because you are my audience and many of you are my friends. What you say about me leaves an impression on myself and others you speak to. Lately I can only imagine that impression has been terrible and not just because of the trolling on my page(s).
I won't blame them, I left myself vulnerable and open to them and therefore it is my fault they came and it's my fault they lingered here even after I left.
By doing what I did, by saying the things I said, and by acting the way I did I put a sign on my forehead that was familiar to them; something they'd seen many times before. I can't blame them for reacting as they did; I opened the door for them to come in as they did.

I know many of you want me to come back for good but I personally think, if anything, I need a break from here to cool my head and actually do other things aside from worry about trolls and keeping a reputation (shattered or not). This place should be a place you sign on to enjoy but for me it became a place where I was afraid to venture every day despite wanting to see the art and my friends.
This isn't right and this is why I had to walk away. It truly did become too much to handle for me and I knew that if I didn't walk away I would do something stupid (dumber that what I have done previously).
I'm only back here now to try and rectify what has gone down and try to put a different light on things. To help give something brighter in a darkened place right now. I do fear for my reputation because I do have clients who know me through online sites but I also know people who don't know me as well as others who would see something like this happening and it would detour them from continuing business with me.
Yes, I fear this. But…Can you blame me?
The way things happened; the way they went down could have all been avoided and stopped had I not let my emotions dictate what I said. It's something of a curse really, repercussions of how I was raised I guess. Either way, I can change and I know I will, but I will need time to transfer my hopes and ambitions to fruition. It won't happen overnight and maybe not even in a day. I am who I am and although I can put on a mask like everyone else it will take time. I sometimes forget that this is the internet, not reality in a lot of ways, and I see things as if it's not genuine it's wrong. Perhaps a bigoted sense of thinking but I honestly can't help it. I can see the error in it and pretend like I'm different but in the end 'monkey see, monkey do'.  My dad and mum are like this very much and despite being an adult I was raised by them and their personality traits did rub off on me. It may be too late for them to change but not me.

When everything happened, when things went down as they did I literally felt powerless to save myself. I felt like the world had come crashing down and there was no way I could stop it. If I had been standing I would have fallen to my knees. It hit me like a ton of bricks and at first I was upset thinking "How did this happen?! What did I do to deserve this?" but now I realize that it happened because I let it happen. I let things get to be too much and I allowed myself to give in and defy my own advices that I'm so adamant in telling to others people. I didn't ignore the trolls and I didn't 'cool off before I wrote'.
Hypocritical is a good word for it but there's another word that's just as powerful: shameful.
I let myself become that which I avidly tried to speak out against, I lied to myself and to others in simply defying every ounce of advice I ever said to people in the same situation.
This is how it happened; this is why it all happened. It was my fault. I know that now and I feel it only right to remove myself from here for a while and really reflect on what is important rather than what is immediate.
Many of my watchers are younger than I am and although I don't feel like much of a role model I should still try to be a better example to them, if only to show how to behave online.

To those who will say "You don't need to change at all!": Yes, in a lot of ways I do. Not necessarily change who I am, but rather how I behave in certain situations. I let emotions control a lot of what I say and do which to some may seem only right but to others it seems foolish. The best way to do this is to keep emotions for emotional times and keep those times between people who know you better, who can tell when you are just being emotional and stirred up. More specifically the people who can actually see you and be there to cheer you up with more than just words on a screen.
I truly appreciate all of you who are there standing beside me through all this and it means more than you know to see how many people will STILL, despite being yelled at, stand by their own convictions about me. Bravo! I commend you all for being so genuine; it is truly a unique trait these days.
I know this seems like sarcasm but it's not. I am truly impressed and grateful to know people like you exist. Your ways are brash but with every rosebush comes thorns, right? You have to get stabbed by them to get to the beauty. Thank you to you for helping give me a push to reflect upon myself.

So, I will leave this 2,000+ word journal with saying I am not coming back any time soon, at least not in active ways such as uploading art or posting journals. I really need some time away from being here as it's getting to be too much in too little time. I can't handle that kind of pressure. Swarmed with comments and people wanting to talk to you, you wish you had time for everyone but you just don't. Then something like this happens and it spins your world upside down.
I need time and I don't know how much. I may come back and upload some art from storage (mostly tutorials) but I won't come on and start uploading a gallery again.
If and when I come back chances are I'll bring it anew. I won't keep things of the past around but rather keep them in the past and start over. I think this would be for the best if anything. What's done is done and there's no sense in looking back when you've already learned as much as you can from it, right?
Despite this being something of a horrible experience it has been uplifting in a lot of ways. It has helped me see things I hadn't before and helped me realize a lot.
You guys have been great, all of you (even the trolls, and I mean that in the nicest way possible).

I'll be seeing ya,
-Kato

_{** PS: For those who are going to scream 'don't go' -- 'your art!?' at me know that I am only leaving dA not the internet.
I will still be on my Tumblr, Blogger, as well as Facebook; perhaps Furaffinity but I make no promises on that site either.  
Art will mostly be commissions more than personal art but every once and a while I may post a personal doodle or something on Tumbler or my Blog.
I'm pretty sure you could find me easily on Tumblr or Blogger. I only add actual friends on my Facebook though, not just anyone.
I know some people are thinking I'm disappearing forever but it's just dA.
Other sites aren't my main hub as dA was so this place was a bigger deal than others.}
Now I need a break from it but I'm not gone forever online. You can find me if you look

Hey, everyone.

Before you ask any questions, here's a couple of facts:

1) This isn't Sterls. My name is Vris, and I'm =laevris here on deviantART.
2) I'm here on my own accord. I'm not here because I was asked to be here; I'm fully taking responsibility for my own words and anything I say. I'm just her friend. She didn't ask me to write this.
3) I'm here to ask some questions.

Firstly, why am I here? Well, my name is Vris, and I'm a long time friend of Sterl's. I've known her for almost three years now, and suffice to say, we're more or less best friends. I'm not a sockpuppet; I'm a simple girl from Australia looking out for a friend.

I woke up this morning to the news that my close friend had left deviantART. Taking a closer investigation, I came to find comments en mass plaguing her page and riddling her inbox.

And I came across a journal! A revised version of a journal, I might add. If there was an original, I never actually saw it, so I'll make it clear that I only saw the last one she posted.

So. Let's get down to it, then:

Sterls is gone.

I've spoken to her personally over the past eighteen hours; she's gone and even I don't know if she's ever coming back.

I repeat: I don't know if she's ever coming back. Ever. At all. In the future. To post art.

Why is she gone?

Well, that's what I'd like to know.

I'll jot down some things I picked up from you guys about why she's gone/what's she's being hunted after for;

- Slow commissions (or slow working on art in general)

- Ranty posts (apparently, Sterls is out of line from time to time)

- General demeanour (some of you think she could use with an attitude adjustment)

- Tracing/heavy referencing (do I really need to make a caption for this?)

- Heavily opinionated (see 'general demeanour')

That's about it. If you can think of any more, write them down in the comments. I'm interested.

The main reason why Sterls is gone, obviously, is because she's sick of deviantART. And I can't say that I blame her; I mostly migrated to tumblr myself and it's a lot nicer over there than it is here. This place is slowly becoming a cesspool. I can't blame her for leaving when a lot of other people are leaving as well. There's just no atmosphere here.

My thoughts aside, a review of her journals leading up to her departure reveals that she's feeling swamped down by people (whether they be commissioners, people looking for art or 'trolls'; I use the term troll loosely here because I don't personally believe that everyone with a view disagreeing to my own is a troll or out for laughs or whatever).

A nice scroll through her current profile page shows a lot of comments from people of differing views! Many asking why she's gone, some glad that she's gone, and some of them just making points to people.

I'm not here to dispel any claims. To be honest, some people's points are valid. And some, in turn, are not!

The most I can say about any of your complaints is that:

a) She IS working on commissions (I've seen many of them myself. Mostly WIPs, but they've been seen).
b) No one really has any qualms about her workspeed? The commissioners, I mean.

Both she and I have spoken to all of the people who have commissioned her (and surprise! I'm one of those people, I've commissioned art from her too recently) and the most they have to say is that she's taken a while, but they're fully confident about getting their art eventually.

I do know that there's been a lot of people who have complained or even just grown tired of waiting and asked for refunds, but that happens to a lot of people and I don't really see that as a really big problem.

So then, what exactly would you all have her do?

I'm not being sarcastic; I'm actually asking what you'd want  to do.

A change in attitude? Change of work speed? What is it, exactly?

Assuming Sterls came back, if ever, what would make you be happy with her?

I'm not saying tell me things she needs to change; she is a person and she is completely free to be whoever she wants to be. How she translates online is not her permanent demeanour in the world.

And before I go on, I'll just say this:

Sterls is human. We are all human. We are all capable of poor judgement, and poor choices. She is not perfect, nor will she ever be. She is capable of rudeness and rage and anger and being a jerk. And so are we all. She may do these things but we are all guilty of this.

But she is capable of being loving and caring and sweet. She does a lot of things for people; for her friends and for her family. And these things may not make her redeemable in everyone's eyes, but it does prove that she is not an awful person and doesn't really deserve to be shamed on the Internet for being slow on drawings of colourful dogs.

She's done wrong? Alright, then. What can she do to fix it?

I'm not a whiteknight. I am open to views and opinions. I can talk. I just don't want all of this to be happening.

I love Sterls. A lot of you do! She's a very good artist and while she has her flaws, she is a really, really nice person.

And I would love her to be back here, because her art is amazing and worth sharing.

I just want to know what's up, and why.

You're all totally free to note me over on =laevris if you want to talk further.

Just please don't be rude to me. I'm not her, I'm her friend. You got beef with her? Take it up with her. I'm just here to talk.

- Vris

"It's not real" -- It sure as heck feels real. So real it IS my reality on a daily basis.

"It's just an excuse to get out of doing things that other people have to" -- I'd love to do thing other people are doing, and I'd relish in being happy when I do so.

"You're just a little sad, you'll get over it" -- Depression isn't just 'feeling sad sometimes'... it's feeling sad ALL the time for what seems like no reason at all.

"Just grow up! Everyone is depressed, you just have to deal with it like everyone else!" -- Stop using everyone else to justify your insensitivity to other people's conditions (also, most of the people suffering from depression are adults, you don't get much more 'grown up' than adult).

"You're not suffering from anything, you're just lazy, ungrateful, and being silly" -- Ok, because obviously I LOVE feeling miserable, worthless, and stupid all the time...who wouldn't...?

"Stop using that as an excuse to not do anything." -- If I could manage to do something about this, I would.

"All young people go through that phase, it'll pass" -- and when it doesn't?

"You have everything catered to you, what do you have to be depressed about?!" -- I can't imagine.

"Stop trying to get pity by acting all hum-glum all the time! If you 'act' happy you'll BE happy! -- Because every role an actress plays is who she is, right?


                                                                                          -------------------
95% of the people you ask about depression will classify it as a mental condition which can be cured, treated, or even avoided given the right circumstances.

                                                                         The other 5% will tell you what it is from experience.


Depression isn't an excuse to give up. It's a cause and reason for someone to stay in the shadows, watch the world pass, hoping people around you won't notice the tears in your eyes or the marks on your arms. It's a ripple effect from something that happened to someone, something that caused them pain and suffering.
Something they fear they cannot share with the world, even the part of the world which cares for them.

Depression isn't just a sad feeling, it's a broken feeling. Nothing you do goes right, everything you touch fades, and you are the worse human being on the planet feeling.

It's not a fad.
It's not a trend.
It's not a crutch.
It's not an excuse.
Depression is real, please stop pretending it's not.


To those who will turn a blind eye because it doesn't effect them or because to them someone depressed is just someone who is weak-- who doesn't want to see the good in life or put a smile on their face regardless of their circumstances... If it were you, would you think different?
Would you turn a blind eye then?
Could you walk away from someone crying from suffering and internal pain, even when there is no blood showing the wounds?


Not all wounds carry visible scars... and even then do, not all of them are skin deep.




I want you to (today or tomorrow) step up to someone you love/care about-- someone you think may be suffering from depression-- and I want you to reach out to them. To hug them, to tell them you understand even when you don't. Be that one voice amid the naysayers that shows them there's still good in this world.
Show them you know their depression isn't just a ruse, an excuse, or a farce to attention.
Remind them of how wonderful they are, how much they mean to you and to the world. Hold them tight to you and tell them you love them no matter what.
Look past the scars, the tears, and the broken pieces and try to help them rebuild themselves by being the glue that puts them back together.
Thank you~

-Kato