So, to start off with..my sister started a blog reviewing books. The purpose? So she can get free books. The perks..... I get free books and now SO CAN YOU! haha. I read an awesome book recently called Undiscovered Gyrl by Allison Burnett. It's pretty intriguing, although mostly geared towards females. Anyways, we got two free copies to give away so if you're interested go to my sister's blog here:

[link]

In other news, I recently finished my portfolio submission to an art college and will be hearing back from them next week. Wish me luck. Next year is supposed to be VERY PRESTIGIOUS! I really want to start pushing out new things. I feel very uninspired lately. I work almost every day of the week waitressing and it seems like there's always something else sucking up my spare time. SOOOOOOo... If you have anything interesting be it ideas, characters, whatever......PLEASE let me know. I might just surprise you and draw one. Obviously no guarantees but there's nothing to lose right?

And macbooks are super expensive. I found out I needed one and i'm only about $900 in. Not bad...if it werent 2.5k. On top of that, I have to buy creative suite 4. Way to hit me in the wallet. Well, anyways if you're reading this I appreciate your letting me take a sabbatical and I apologize for the long absence. Hopefully you understand. College is quite time consuming. So, if you're still out there (and then on top of that, for some reason, perusing my journal) throw me a hello! I've missed you all terribly!

*edit 2-please read bottom for a NEW artist tracer! And also, please contact me with any other tracers you know Thanks!*
**edit-new links**
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^an admission from a former tracer

Everything you need to know about what is art theft and tracing.
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[link] rules and definitions
[link] referencing and copying
**end edit** (thanks to new links from

And yes, I mean if you're an artists I want your opinions on this.

TRACING. Is it an art form or not? Technically people do it a lot to help with reference lines etc, but they're creating something thereafter. What do you think of real, unquestionable and unrepentant tracing? I just found out that it is legal on DA, for the first time ever, actually. I mean, I know you can trace some things, but tracing directly off of another artist and not crediting them, as far as I know, is still stealing. US law, where DA resides, states that you must change at *least* 20% of the original composition in order to call it your own. Now, with that said, DA's own policy states this.

"Respect Your Fellow Artists

As a vibrant and growing art community deviantART welcomes all kinds of original artworks; but we MUST insist that the artwork which you submit be your own original works.

Your deviations must be your own original creations and you may only use resources which are considered legitimate and legal. Submissions which make use of works without proper permission or licensing by the original author will be removed as they come to the attention of the staff. This policy applies to all Deviation submissions, Scrapbook entries, and the preview images used for written submissions.

If you have reason to believe that a deviantART submission violates this policy you should use the official Report Violation link which is available on every submission page."

So, what i'm wondering, is how does someone steal from famous people, block commentary on all her deviations (which say NOTHING about the artist, give credit to the original creators, or even mention that she may have otherwise borrowed at least a concept), and even go as far as to block *polite inquiries* on her page with anything that even POINTS to the fact that she's being dishonest. Seriously, what she is doing is illegal by law standards, and not just ethics. It's hard to have your work taken directly and to get 2k favorites under someone else's name with no credit. It's your intellectual copyright and your work! Do you think it's fair.

I just found out about this phenomena from a posting surrounding . You can read more about her from
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and
[link] (my friend said the photos don't show up on that, so just in case here is a link to the photos
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Please read all of that. I know it's long, but it explains things.

Regardless, I want opinions. In my opinion, tracing is valuable and i'm not going to say that i've NEVER done it. There is a fine line, however, in blocking commentary, hiding it, and otherwise *lying* about whether you drew something. Regardless of that fact, taking art without credit is STEALING and hers is even AGAINST THE LAW. It's ridiculous. I mean I understand allowing it as an art form because in some cases I wouldn't consider it thievery..but if no additional creativity is put in OR it's from someone ELSE'S WORK... as in drawn work not from photo etc etc...then yes, it's stealing. That's my opinion. Seriously though, I want yours. What do you think? I want to have different opinions, I want to see multiple sides, and I want to hear some people with differentiating views. And again, I don't think tracing in and of itself is bad, but if you're doing it not to learn (as one prominent and talented artist here did to learn), not from your own work, and not giving credit..... then in my opinion it is as bad as stealing and not giving a damn otherwise. Please, pitch in your two cents. Also, if you wish, read the news article I made here.
[link]

Another tracer was found! She's doing the same thing as by blocking comments on pictures and hiding comments on her userpage...except she has a whole userpage FULL of hidden comments. Doesn't look too good for her...of course some people just do that so =/ Without further adieu, I give you =/ Way to disgrace a nice pharoah's wife with your tracing. She at least paid for her art =o. Apparently she's going around tracing famous deviant's work as well. How original. I'm wondering how many more are out there? Also, if you can mention the article and get it out, the more people that favorite the more chance we have of people reading it on the bottom of v page. I mean, you don't have to. By all means just mention this but get the word out about tracing if you can. I think it will help change the rule for the better of those of us who do work for our art. =/ Oh, and for laughs... her journal says
"Commission Status

Commissions Closed.

- Client Commission I - DONE

- Client Commission II - DONE

- Client Commission II - DONE

- Commission for *Kensai-Kaze - Waiting Refs"
Never has the phrase "waiting for refs" been more ironic ! (tracer found by )

ANOTHER journal.
[link]

And another artist , though she's young and i'm not sure she knows that she needs to credit. I left her a kind message. Please do the same (especially if you know spanish, though I think she may know english.

The features are on the bottom. Please take some time to look at them as well, though I feel this needs to be at the top.

Anyways, I've come into some money trouble. As many of you may or may not know, my cat died in February of this year. I sent her away and to get her back it costs 339$ ontop of my original payment. I also have had college, car, eating, and general expenses lately (especially with all those dumb birthdays...UGH!) No less, I really REALLY REALLY would appreciate if anyone would even consider a commission.

I have at my disposal...
-drawing pencils (a wide range)
-colored pencils/watercolor pencils/inktense pencils (think sumi ink...)
-acrylic paint/watercolor paint
-sakura microns
-charcoal (white, black, and ebony)
-markers (though I'm not entirely sure how well i'd draw with them, and they're fat)
-nice paper
-a computer with flash/artrage/open canvas/adobe/paintshop pro (if you...really really must)

SO
if anyone would even consider considering a commission, i'm extremely flexible. I'm not going to say a price for sure for sure because obviously I do not want to overcharge or undercharge. Let's just say make an offer and if it's fair i'll maul you with my thanks. I have very little time to do these since I have two jobs and hectic college life, but I really need the money. All traditionals I can mail, but I can't insure. If you want that you need to let me know so I can check the cost.

If you have any questions or want to see some of my traditional art which is not up yet, feel free to post here or send me a note. I'd really appreciate if you did I'm open for logos/petsite stuff/ and any of that jazz too. AND ONTO FEATURES ♥

The features! Remember, if I featured you you cannot be featured next week. Also, you should return-feature me by posting this meme in your journal with me and 10 other spots for people to grab a feature...and then in turn they feature you and 10 people in an endless cycle.

Technically I won't hate you if you forget, but you know. enjoy! (And yes, only three people asked...le sigh haha)

My featurer's special spot!

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First of all, the art MEME

How it goes down:
The first 10 people who comment on this journal will get a feature slot (but do mention you want the feature, please), with 3 (I might feature five to be different, i'm indecisive) pieces of their art thumbnailed. However, if I feature you now, you won't be eligible next time. After you've commented and I've featured you, please make a journal entry like this of your own, and feature me there.

(I didn't make those rules...but I was featured so here I am)

My featurer's special spot!

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College life

...IS STRESSFUL! I love all my teachers, though. I'm taking fundamentals of design, drawing I, art history I, and speech and public communications. My teachers are all extremely amazing and I think I may talk to them all more than any other student. They're absolutely excellent at life! BIGWIN! Also, they're all very awesome artists, except my speech teacher who is just such a nice guy who goes out of his way to put up with me. Anyways, it is very stressful. I love the classes, but my fundamentals class has about 4+ hours of homework. It evens out because I only took time on two of my pieces, but they took well over 4 hours. Har har har. The others took like...10 minutes. My drawing has to be a minimum of 5 hours, but I don't think i've spent under 30 on any given piece. I'm not sure the exact timage since I have to talk when i'm drawing (as some of you IMers know). I hope to get pictures of my work done soon, I'm just trying to get my sister to cooperate and take the pictures. Anyways, if/when I do i'll put them up for you to see. I'm not going to lie, I don't suck in traditional.....but it's a far cry from my digital in my opinion. I think I have a very strong traditional style, and that's not how I feel about my digital (although disagrees). Anyways, i'm almost sleeping as many times as i'm pulling allnighters! It's terrible. However i'm doing extremely well in class, and I even got a 101 on my first Art History test! YEEEEA! Oh man, the people in my drawing class are sure an inspiration. Even the "beginners" are just leaping and bounding amazingly on concepts. I have a hard time believing they're beginners. I drew poopiles for the first like..THREE YEARS! Jeez. Anyways, i'm impressed, inspired, and encouraged. I actually think two of them are very attractive, but that I keep to myself. Grr-owl. I emulate about four of them. My teacher is also amazing, she gives me the most whacky yet amazingly unique suggestions EVER! They really bring my pieces together and make them pop. I'm amazing they're not crappy though, since I pulled an allnighter on every one of them. I'm working on my midterm right now which I have to spend 15+ on by mandate, write an exerpt on, and must be at least 24x36 (much bigger than my other 18x24's. My dad is amazing and got me watercolor pencils, more acrylic paint, and INKTENSE PENCILS! They're amazing, if anyone was wondering! I absolutely recommend them! Oh, and did you know i'm good at inkbrushing? I'll post my design projects up here too when I get to them! Hmm what else. Yes, stress. I have until the 18th for my art and fundamentals midterms. My job still sucks, yay aeropostale. Oh well. I'm hoping to get a job at AC Moore for better hours. I hope my managers are as nice as at Aero, but without the bs "on call" and "cuttingshifts/no hours/go home early". I literally havent worked a full/uncut/notsenthome/not cancelled day of work yet except for my first day which was 8pm-5am inventory. BIGWIN.

So yes, college is wonderful... college is stressful...but i'm happy with my life, despite all the pressure. I can't cry about it. I know now that what i'm choosing is right because no matter how much pressure i'm finishing, i'm happy with myself, and I really don't care and wouldnt change it because i'm doing what I LOVE! I'm even more fanatical than I was and excited to learn and be in class..in fact I wait for the next class, even if I know I have alot of work to do now as it is. It's beautiful. I love life right now, definitely a beautiful experience being an art major.

That's the lowdown! Thanks for reading guys!

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PREFACE-as most of you know i'm a college freshman. Unfortunately (or so I thought, until today) I am required to take speech. I take it as a partial ELI which basically means it's over the computer BUT we do meet once a month to discuss concepts. This is a class that teaches you how to communicate, what is appropriate and WHAT IS NOT, and how to talk to people. NOTING that none of us knew each other prior to this and noting that this class JUST STARTED and we've already met and will meet again, and also noting that our class is PREDOMINATELY MIDDLE AGED PEOPLE with legal professions like cop, etc., AND NOTING that I am a Christian, along with many others, there is also an Islamic study guy, and our TEACHER IS AN EPISCOPALIAN MONK.... you will see just why this is as funny as it is. This is a real post by a real person in my REAL class. This is my own experience first hand from a GROUP DISCUSSION BOARD that the college class shares. As in everyone can see it. As in this was an actual assignment she PICKED out of many for A GRADE. She really picked this topic, no joke, of her own volition. That's why it's totally ridiculous. Without further adieu, here is the most awkward and inappropriate post ever in a public discussion and for a grade no less. FEEL FREE TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS!!!
(these indicate her comments beginning and ending "()" )
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Put on your playwriting “hat” and create a scenario in which two people are having a conversation about whatever you decide. You may use yourself as one of the main characters and draw on your own experiences for creating the scene, or you may make it all up from scratch.

1.As you write the dialogue, keep in mind that in a normal conversation, some pieces of information are left out, as the speaker assumes that the listener will be able to fill in the missing information. This is the concept of closure, in which we fill in information that appears to be missing so that an experience will be a whole and meaningful pattern. Also keep in mind that in everyday conversation, we listen by “reading between the lines” of what someone is saying.
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(her comment)
Ring

Man: “So, whatchya doin tonight?”

Woman: “Nothing. Why? You got somethin in mind?”

Man: “Yeah. You wanna little somethin-somethin?”

Woman: “Hmmm… You sound a little drunk. Do ya think you’re up to the task?”

Man: Laughs “Oh yeah! A little encouragement from you and I promise you’ll see the sunrise!”

Woman: “I like the way you think! Sounds like a plan. Here or there?”

Man: “Here. I want to make certain there are no interruptions.”

Woman: “K. I’ll be there in 15.”

Man: “It’ll be open.”

Woman: “Good. Make sure you’re awake and I’ll C ya in a few!”

Man: “I’ll be awake. C ya when you get here.”
(/end)
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2.After you have written your scenario, go back and explain what information you left out. How would it be reasonable for the listener to fill in the missing information, based on the shared history or culturally shared assumptions of the parties in the scenario?
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(her next comment)

Translation:

Ring

Man: “So, what do you have planned for tonight?”

Woman: “Nothing. Why? Do you have a suggestion?”

Man: “Yeah. Do you want to have sex tonight?”

Woman: “Hmmm… You sound a little drunk. Do you think you can obtain an erection despite your intoxication?”

Man: Laughs “Oh yeah! If you provide some stimulation, I guarantee you’ll be awake until sunrise because we’ll have sex all night.”

Woman: “I like your idea! It appears as if you have it all planned. Do you want to come to my place or yours?”

Man: “My place. I want to make certain there are no interruptions.”

Woman: “Okay. I’ll be at your place in 15 minutes.”

Man: “The door will be unlocked. Let yourself in.”

Woman: “Good. Make sure you’re awake and I’ll see you in a few minutes!”

Man: “I’ll be awake. See you when you get here.”

Each of the parties in the phone conversation is both listener and speaker. They obviously intimately connected and share a slang that allows them to communicate connatively. They are able to omit words and whole phrases while still conveying full thoughts. At the same time, others who are not a part of these individual’s relational community may not fully grasp what is being conveyed in this conversation. However, the coded conversation allows the participants to arrange their tryst using phrases that are decidedly “less crude.”
(/end)