A blatant lie and you know it. Your talents are Master-level.

um.. I have to apologize to you..

You did gift art for me..and .. I don't know if I did anything for you or not

I am very sorry!!!

I still love the little drawing on the card you sent me. :)

You do great art. You might not be Eric Schwartz, but you are a very skilled and talented artist in your own right.

Maybe, but you underestimate yourself.

A gift art should be just that - a gift. Gifts must be freely given, not because of obligations or because of the person requesting it, but because you see a person in need of cheering up and dedicate the time and effort into the gift. I think that you may still end up giving out art, but I respect the fact you no longer wish to do requests.

Requests are a different matter entirely. If you do art for someone because they ask then it really isn't gift art - it's a request. Requests for free art act on the ego of the artist. They also can be time-consuming and (sometimes) unrewarding or unfulfilling.

I generally try to avoid requesting free art for the reasons you mention - well some of them. People have lives - they have jobs and families and goodness knows what else. If they're kind enough to do free requests for art, the very least a person receiving it should do is a hearty thank-you (personally I'd feel obligated to trade).

I think you belie your actual talent or think of it as less than it is.

Damn, now I'm going to have to break what I said on this....

Look, I've done gifts for people, doing them with the sole intention of trying to cheer them up, or just as a nice gesture. I don't go in expecting anything out of it. This would make the gesture hollow, and I'm a stickler on intent. It is apparent however in more than a few cases that such efforts are NOT having the desired effect of said cheering up, in one case apparently triggering a disagreement.

So, really, why do it?

You can't help how people will react to a gift. Some people are just going to be beyond your sole ability to help cheer up or, in the latter case, incapable of receiving a gift in the intent it was given. Does that make the gesture hollow? No, you've done it with the best of intentions. Does that make the gesture meaningless? No, because while the person on the receiving end might not appear to be cheered up by it, you can never really tell that it's had no effect. Or, if it seems to have the reverse effect, that is not your fault.

Why do it? Because, at the end of the day, you are a decent, caring individual who wants to see other people happy and you give art when you cannot give anything else. You do it because you care. You feel burned because it is not always appreciated or doesn't seem to have the desired effect, but these things are beyond your ability to control. All you can do is what feels right for you to do. You give gifts to see the light of joy in the eyes of others (or, online, their typed joy and gratitude). Whether the latter is still enough for you, I do not know. My art is not largely commented on or, I would guess, well-known, but I still make it because it makes me happy, and when I give gifts it seems to make the other person happy. It doesn't always help - some people are Eeyores and perpetually gloomy - but I will continue to give gifts of my art to people, whether it is appreciated or not, because I care.

You sir are one of the few I do have respect for art wise. I don't expect you to pump out art every second like some of the crazy machines on this site. but you take the time and effort into each work. and a gift from you really would mean something.. if someone is pestering you about the gift works, you honestly have every right not to want to do them. It is of your own volition to do whatever you want. :)

I am sorry, Term. I know how that can go and at times you ask yourself "Why bother?" I know that you have been very kind to me and have done a great gift art for me. I am sorry I havent done much in return or given a better response on it. I dont know why you think your level of art isnt good. I always have enjoyed your pieces and would love to see you do more Transformation art. But that's just me.

I am very sorry for not being a better friend and for not being better with my responses. I apologize again. I really appreciate your patience with me. Your friendship and just you being kind to me.

I do hope you will continue your work and hope you will post more of your stuff in the future, whether be commissions/trades or just your own imagination needing to be released on paper. I wish you the best and hope to talk to you soon.


You be good and hope you have a good summer. Take care of yourself and sorry again. Be well and thank you.

Ah I've not asked for one but Im not really reading for that side of the topics, I think your art is incredible.

Its not often we get as liquidshifters, decent art and ones done well like yours, I loved your pics because they were cool or funny, the kind of stuff I like to think about or joke about as a liquidshifter hehe.

It's cool that you want to draw your ideas, and you should. But you are no novice. You are a mad genious at the art. You should know that at least.

It is not what people think of your art, it is whether you enjoy in what you do. I particularily love your artwork and with the commission you did for me is still amongst my favorites. Concentrate in what you have to do now and come back to drawing. If you feel the urge to draw something, it will be done with your full attention to it. Do not feel rushed in contributing something to the art world; it should come from the heart.

Take a break and focus on what you have to do now. Real life is a bummer sometimes. Fight through and continue to contribute your art to those that appreciate your said artwork.

*hugs*

You've done some marvelous art for me, Termy, but that isn't what's important to me. What's important to me is your companionship, intelligence, loyalty and love. Really, it's that simple. Your artistic talent is a bonus, but one I'd prefer to support the way it's best supported -- monetarily.

Awww:/ I've had this happen to me as well, wrting a gift short story and getting it thrown back in my face. You do have good skills term, especially for certain characters, and I respect your skill. Some people simply cannot or do not realize what a gift is, a means of sharing happiness, and instead get upset. If someone gifted me a stick figure I'd still smile and say thank you, because they were thinking of someone else.

*hugs* I hope people learn some dang gratitude.

*hug* well, i hope it gets all sorted for you soon. i still kind of owe you a few finished pics based on concept convos we have had. ^^;

do watcha gotta do. if you don't have time, so be it. just do what makes you happy.

A gift is a gift given freely with no reciprocation expected... and I've been in the same boat. You are a talented artist with your own unique style. You should not diminish your talents... and you should freely draw what you wish to draw.


((hugs))

TORO