This is something that's been nibbling at my noggin for awhile, and the final tolerance-feather was finally plucked today when a rude comment was addressed to a close friend of mine.

For a rather long time now, there have been massive complaints against doll and base-makers. Accusations, saying that base/doll creators can't actually draw anything on their own, and that they're simply unoriginal, creativity-lacking tracers.

You know what, though? If these makers/dollers weren't as popular as they were, you wouldn't give them a second glance. You wouldn't give a flying pickle, and you know it. You'd go about your business and wouldn't even half-bat an eyelash.  I have several good friends who are WONDERFUL artists, both in AND out of dolling/base-making. Working with bases also helps curve one's proportion accuracy, as well. Personally, I rarely use them, but I can safely say that I've learned a thing or two from when I have used them.

It just really eats me up to see people causing so much drama over what someone else chooses to do, though. Is it hurting you?  Is it negatively inflicting YOUR art in any way, or stopping you from doing what you enjoy? No. It isn't. So likewise, you should stop trying to force others to quit what they enjoy doing.

Everyone is entitled to do what they want with their art. So long as they are giving basic credit and not taking props for something they didn't do, that should really be all that matters. If what they're doing isn't in your tastes, then common sense would usually beckon you to not look at it.

For example. Me? I am /not/ a fan of furry art, for the most part. And that's putting very mildly. It's just not my thing. Does that mean I'm going to go around throwing obscene insults at everyone that DOES enjoy it, though? Does that mean that I'm going to automatically dislike that person, and base my entire opinion upon the fact that they enjoy furry art? No. If you aren't some creeper trying to force me into doing something or drawing something that I don't want to, or trying to shove your obsession down my throat, then I couldn't care less about what your artistic hobbies are. That's your thing, and I employ you to enjoy it to your heart's content. That won't be what determines whether I enjoy your company or not.

To each their own. Don't like? Don't look. It's such an incredibly easy tactic. So it amazes me how often such simple logic is absent.

This is a website for art and people of all kinds. Just because one person doesn't determine something as art, doesn't mean that it ISN'T art. There are as many ways to define art as there are people in this world. Possibly even more, really. It's something that's supposed to exist for the sake of expression. Whether it's a piece that you spent months on, some random little dribble-drabble that you coughed up during Math class, a silly, half-baked parody poem, a passionate song, a base, a doll, a dance, anything. Anything. Anything.

To anyone that's received hate for their art, simply because the person complaining doesn't entirely agree with what you're doing... Do not let that stop you from doing what YOU want to do. Art is such a beautiful existence, and it's something that we're ALL entitled to wield. It's a wonderful thing. Do not let anyone take that away from you. Ever.

This doesn't just go for base-makers and dollers. This is to everyone. If you enjoy what you're doing, keep doing it. If others enjoy what you're doing as well, take strength from that, no matter how great or small the number. Every person counts. Never take for granted a single person that you've made smile, or made happy, even just for a moment, with your work. Because it's truly a wonderful thing.


To anyone that feels like arguing with me over this matter, you're wasting your breath and time, as I have no intention of wasting mine bickering with someone whose open-mindedness more than likely has about as much depth to it as a puddle in the middle of a desert drought. Sorry, future irritable dear hearts. I do  wish you the best and hope you're able to open your eyes a bit wider in the future.

I feel better! ^o^

Thank you to those who read through this. -Bounds away gleefully!-