Metamorphosis

*rage*

Okay, being an artist who does not do commissions, I may be looked upon as an outsider to this in the respect that doesn't really effect me the way it does for those who do work for money. I do, however, have friends that work on commission and this pisses me right the hell off that there are douchebags such as this one who prowl about the different dA, elfwood and other art communities looking for an easy scam.

Okay, I'm being easy on the guy. What I'd really like to call him is a fucking elitist snob who thinks his shit doesn't stink and of which, has the right to scam artists off on their hard work only to line his own pocket with more money so that his life can be easier while the term "Starving Artist" is once more proved to be more often than not truthful.

But that's a mouthful.

Link to the original article is here.

Also, for those of you on my friends list who are newly working on commission, have thought about starting to work for commission or have been working on commission but not doing your research as to what you should be charging- aka, fair art rates- please, please, please read this article and beware that there are such scumbags on the prowl hoping to scam you out of your time and talent.

It's disheartening that there are as many people out there like this as there is, but the more people who know about this jerk, the better. Because if someone's going to be making fair use of your art and lining their own pockets with the money that would not be there were it not for your artwork to promote the project... well, I'm not saying you have to charge an arm and a leg for shit, but if you're doing it for a living, then yeah. What's fair is fair... or should be, at any rate.

No.

Seriously.

A person I know points me in the direction of Monk for a Month, and this is how it started...

Really? You get to be an actual monk for a whole month? You get to help out people less fortunate than you and learn how to be a decent, good and respectful person? You get to learn good morals and tenets and the basic principles of Honor and Commitment? Ohmygods! Sign me up!

NOT!

See, I have a problem with this whole buying Spirituality shit that's been a growing trend recently. Because, umm, hello? You can't buy Spirituality, people. Hmm, didn't Jesus say it best? (And yeah, I hate that they're making me drag out an example who's had their teachings corrupted as fuck by mankind for their own purposes and agendas, but in this instance, it does work.) "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, give unto God what is God's."

You cannot charge for shit that is Spiritual. That's it, end of discussion. It's one of the reasons why I've never charged for readings, workings or anything else. Because it's an ability that was gifted to me to use as an aide for others who come seeking answers.

I don't charge for my advice, why would I charge for my readings?

Now what I want to know is this- why in the gods' green earth would you need to travel to Thailand for in order to learn how to be a decent human being? There are homeless shelters, animal shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, youth organizations, senior centers, church programs and many other opportunities to help out in your own area.

So, really, other than bragging rights, why the hell would you need to travel to a distant country to learn how to help people? You want to be a Spiritual person? That's fine. Start by spending some time out in nature. Connect with Mother Earth again. Listen to the voices of her children, hear what they have to say. And for the love of gods, don't be so damn closed-minded! Each and every thing on this planet is a living, breathing entity. An ant has just as much value and a right to life as you do, just as the fly or spider hanging out in your attic. They were here before us, and they'll be here after we're long gone.

Respect them. Respect others who earn that respect. Know that all life is precious and make a conscious effort to reinforce that in your life. Think before you kill. Put yourself in that being's shoes. Animals and insects are a people just as you and I are. They have families, they have purposes, and they have lives.

That right there? That's enough of a start on the Spiritual Path to get you going.

And guess what? That $2,000.00 you just saved on a bogus trip to a Thailand Temple? You can donate it to a local charity instead.

And then, instead of having just bragging rights, you'll have made a difference.