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Actually, my Hobby Lobby (which has almost everything that d**k Blick's has) has prices that are 2/3 of what the stuff costs at DB. AND things go on sale at HL very often too, so I've gotten art pads and paints there that are cheaper then even Walmart. It just depends on whether you need the really specialized things, and whether you can travel to them, or need them sent to you.

That being said, I am a TOTAL cheapy. So it's very possible that the prices just seem steep to me. I never buy anything but Crayola colored pencils (which is $5 for a pack of 50), art pads over $4 bucks, or paints that cost over $2 a small bottle. Cheap tools work well for me, so it's a blessing I've come to cling to. :3

@ botting- Both Nora and Woe have very good points. Really I'd say friends are more important then a site. But on that same note, I don't think friends ARE as important as morals. And while something like "getting a little extra gold" seems like an infantile offense, it's the whole principle of screwing everyone over and cheating to get ahead that bugs me about it.

I don't want to report them because it seems like such a dumb little thing... but isn't it our duty on Gaia and in life to DO something when we see people doing wrong? I think I'll mention it again, and watch them for the next few days to see if the activity continues before I jump to reporting, should that be my choice.

Just a really random point, but I was speaking to Tenica, and she's nto allowed to have a job or else she loses her scholarship at her university. (well, not counting things like commissions which are usually under the table anyhow).

But yeah, if they're whining about stuff, they could get a retail job or something. The US unemployment rate, like, including people in-between jobs and stuff is ~4%, which is considerably low... hell, realy low. It's crazy in Europe, I heard. I mean, it's not so much about the whining, it's more about whining without trying.

I still think, though, the headshot commissions were a fad - started by Niku and picked up by Nashya, and everyone else jumped on all too quickly.

I don't know if anyone has been whining about getting a job (in the low-paying wage bracket or elsewhere) - I think that part of the discussion came up as a response to the whole sponsorship proposal (I don't know - maybe it didn't?), as I know that at least one of the four artists whose name has been thrown around does have a job (and will soon be leaving it, if I recall correctly).

Anyway, as for the proposal itself - I can't see myself being part of it, mostly because I don't like the idea of "Lead Sponsors" and all of that blizz blazz, or the negative slant put on commissions in general. One thing I remember being said was something regarding preferring to see an artist's original work instead of commissions - I like both, really, and I think a lot of commissions could fall under "original", anyway, as it is an original interpretation (all right, maybe that's stretching it a bit, but I tend to be very "go ahead and make changes and add what you like" when I commission people).

deviantART just isn't a place one could find many "serious" patrons, and I suppose by that I mean someone who is willing or able to give anyone an amount they can live on and also isn't a "starving artist" themselves. The "starving artists" will remain starving.

I would be happy to be a patron of a dA artist, but I'd hate to be linked for so-called "exposure" or be called a "sponsor" or a "patron", especially since the people I'd be inclined to sponsor would be people I had existing relationships with, anyway, close or otherwise.

Mm. I could probably ramble on about this, as there were a lot of other good/interesting points throughout the whole discussion (here and elsewhere), but this is already threaten to spiral outside of the realm of almost succinct

I think the idea is supposed to be that instead of doing commissions (which, arguably, enable people to stay on dA already) they'll be able to dedicate more time to their craft, improving the quality of their portfolios, and ultimately get well-paying (or just "paying") jobs in the field of art.

I think you're completely right about time management - with a commercial job there won't be backing out of a project because of burn-out or feeling overwhelmed without serious damage to one's reputation.

i lived in the dominican republic, which is a 3rd world country, and was able to find 3 jobs to get me through school with 0 social life.
of course, it did help that i worked through high school to pay for college once i got out, so i had the experience. i think relying on statistics is an excuse for people not to look for jobs. maybe i have had a harder life and am looking as all these people as whiney bastards because of that, but meh - a little hard work never klilled anyone.

yeah, i grew up very poor so i don't mind doing anything legal for money - i know everyone doesn't think the same way. i didn't mind cleaning jobs and stuff like that as long as i got paid surprised

if i wanted to offer art - or actually just one piece in the guild could i open a new topic or would i have to post it somewhere else? the rules are a little unclear to me. sweatdrop

maybe i am just slow, oh hell - yes i AM slow.

k thanks mek whee heart