I have never submitted news before so bare with me. I was notified recently that a DA user here has accused me of ripping her Gerard Butler drawing. She conveniantly never says which one. She then had the audacity to post it to facebook as her own, claiming the piece was never mine.
I read and see art thieving on the site and other sites all the time unfortunately. It's a shame that even when the original work done by the artists who actually drew the work is then accused of thieving the work from someone else. what some of these nasty people forget to realize is that the artists like myself who actually draw these pieces have the damn originals still in there possession, have witnesses to prove that the artist drew them. Then the thieves think they can get away with the theft, slander and causing more potential legal issues with the artists, sites such as this one and the thieves themselves.

one of my favorite artists on this site was accused recently by another portrait artist of photoshop their work. I felt to pissed off and the accuser that I was tempted to tell her what I thought, but after reading other peoples comments to her about her slanderous comments to my friend I decide enough was said. I didn't need to add more fuel to the fire.
But for other authentic artists out there, and my DA watchers who have been following my work over the years here I ask you these questions. Are the copyright laws strong enough? Can slandering the original artist on sites like these grounds for banning, when there is enough proof? IF your work is copied and then posted on other sites by other crap ass 'artists' reason enough to get the thief banned?
Personally I have watermarked all my work, the drawing are all mine. and artist I have drawn portraits of that are on DA here I have gotten permission to draw; ask them.
It strange to say this , but I sometimes feel violated when someone steals my work, claims I stole from them and then posts it either here or on photobucket, facebook or whereever.
to those who have ripped my work or accused me of ripping theirs, originals are worth more when you actually have them in your posession, which all of mine are. they are still quite attached in their spiral sketchpads. Thieving from me or anyone else on here will get you the worst attention. Admin don't like this kind of crap. I have seen how swiftly they ban 'artists' here. not to mention I have read other peoples comments to art thieves stupidity. Deviantart has progressed with their copyright enforcement and reputation. I wouldn't have stayed here otherwise. Its been an incrediable experience learning how to draw peoples faces and watching other peoples mediums of art progress and evolve over the years.
As long as the Da admin continue enforcing and monitoring and fellow artist watch each others back, I can only hope that art thieves will find it eventually impossible to ripe our work. I also have to hope that those other kind of artists out there that accuse artist like myself of thieving without providing any kind of proof, that you have the guts to keep your slanderous mouths shut or find a site that will allow you to try that kind of behaviour with someone else.


bare with me more of a rant to come