Okay, so every time I see someone start a raffle here, my mind goes like this: If they require you to post a journal linking to their journal, watch their account, like their stuff, or whatever else to even be ELIGIBLE to enter into their contest, it makes me wonder if it's not just a ploy to grab more attention for themselves. If you require someone to be watching your account or go through those other hoops to be in your raffle, is it a sign of insecurity where you need the support of others to justify your own life and passion in art, or is it a justification that people who want art from you should already be showing support by watching you, advertising your raffle on your behalf, etc.? I believe in making the world a more beautiful place in our lifetimes, but does it cross a line when, in your attempt to spread beauty you can create, you require other people to do favors for you to shine more spotlight on you?

I guess the only real way to answer this is to know the mind of the artist in question, which is exceedingly complex, even in trying to know yourself. Ambition spawned from negative emotions can masquerade as a positive zeal for getting the most out of life. When we look at successful achievers, which ones are living the lie, and which ones are living the dream? When asked to post journals or watch artists here to enter their raffles, is it justifiable because we should support their art, or is it wrong to feed their ego?