We all know of them. Even I, who tends to keep themselves to themselves, can't escape hearing about them.

Now, to me, there's a couple of type of art theft; the first is the obvious definition, that of someone who outright rips the work of another off, either claiming it as their own or shamelessly tracing the first few hits of an image they find on Google... that's bad enough, but the other type really, REALLY irks me...

Some people here are lucky enough to have people out there who want to commission them to do pieces for them. However, once the commission is in, these people act like Gods gift to art, not only acting above the people commissioning them (not to mention their fans), but in other instances, totally ripping people off. In other words; taking the money and running while making lame excuses and trying to make the commissioner look like the evil party for simply asking for the work they paid for.

It's pathetic on so many levels...

To those of you who are guilty of this, let me tell you a few facts; first, the money people pay for the commissions, the hard earned dollars you get from them to do a commission, isn't chump change in some cases...

One case I know of, another Deviant was given $150 to do a piece, which never materialized. $150. The artist in question acted like this was no big deal. The person requesting the commission was pretty young, and at that age, that's NOT pocket change. I'm a grown adult with bills to pay and mouths to feed in a 2 income household. I'll be honest here, even $20 can sometimes mean the difference between my family eating the few days until the next payday or not. If I got burned for $150 or more? I'd be hella pissed.

To those scamming your fellow deviants in this manner... What the fuck is wrong with you?? You have people who love your art to the point that they're willing to pay you to do one of your own characters or one of theirs. Let me reiterate: FOR MONEY. When you accept the responsibility to do this, who do you think you are to brush off that responsibility? No one cares about your "life problems". No one cares about your personal drama. You should have the integrity, if you're accepting commissions, to know your own life schedule, be willing to make adjustments, keep a client updated and deal with anything that comes up in a mature, business-like manner... not overload yourself, making empty promises about things that you'll never deliver and hiding.

You should be fucking grateful that people love your work to the point that they'll pay you nice cash for your work, not fuck them over for whatever you can get and leaving them with empty pockets with nothing in exchange, then act all high and mighty as if you're the one who's been wronged.

Hell, my art, to me at least, sucks, but I'll be the first to step up to the plate and say so. The scammer in mind, however, acts like their shit doesn't stink and that alll their fans are insolent, bothersome pests. Way to fail.

It's these people you're ripping and pissing off that you should be thanking on your knees for your popularity and the ability to even offer commissions.

You make me sick...

Just wanted to get that off my chest.