It never fails. Every time dA runs a contest around here, and the semifinalists/finalists are announced, half of dA goes crazy, falling over themselves just to get their opinion out there that these entries SUCK.



"These finalists are all digital! Why does dA hate traditional so much?!"

For some reason, just because dA sees finalists with all digital entries, they automatically feel that dA does not like traditional art, and they PURPOSELY avoid letting traditional works in to the finalists.

Why do they make such a personal deal out of it? I see people saying off the wall things like "I don't see ONE traditional entry in here!" "Traditional is so ignored lately."

There is only one thing I can say to people who think this: Pull your head out of your ass. Digital artwork programs were made as to emulate traditional media. Why else would Photoshop and PaintToolSAI have filters and tools like "watercolor" "hard brush" and "airbrush"?

The fact of the matter is, traditional art could kick digitals ass, IF the traditional artists of dA stop whining and start practicing and perfecting their skill. The reason traditional never makes it to the finalists? Most traditional artists don't even try, because they have this ill-conceived notion that they won't stand a chance against digital.

Take a look at artists like =Claparo-Sans:

She would blow away the competition if she had wanted to. Why? Because she believes in her talent. She doesn't constantly whine about digital having some "unfair advantage", she just draws.



"But these winners already have a tablet! They don't need another one!"

What's so funny about this one is the people who say things like this seem to believe that they know the story and history of these artists. Just because they do amazing artwork, they must already be rich, large amazing tablet owning individuals.

My question is, how do they know these artists' stories?

For three years I did digital art with a borrowed tablet. I borrowed the tablet from my friend, it was not a tablet I owned. It was an old tablet, very outdated. The sensitivity pressure was almost complete crap. The pen only worked half the time and was broken, it was held together with masking tape. The tablet driver constantly failed, and the cord connecting it to the computer had wires exposed.

I could have used that new tablet! Who is to say that these artists aren't in a similar situation?

Who, also, is to say that these artists could not use that cash prize money? Perhaps to catch up on debt, bills, or to catch up on their rent? Just because these artists have amazing work doesn't mean they're filthy rich. They could use every penny of that money too.


"But, ______'s entry was better! My entry was better! These winners suck! These contests are so rigged!"

First of all, yes, everyone has a different opinion of how they thought the winners would go. A lot of times, I feel that there were entries i thought should have one, but in the end, all the finalists were amazing anyway.

The problem, though, is when people openly INSULT the winners or semifinalists. Comments like "These entries suck!" or "These are so generic, way to go judges!" or "This contest is so fishy, these artists have crappy entries!"

When it comes down to it, guys, is that these artists entered this contest just like YOU did, just like the OTHER semifinalists did. They had every right to enter this contest, just like you.

Just because they have talent, they aren't allowed to enter contests? They entered with the same goal as you: to win. And just because they won, they deserve to be persecuted?

They didn't ask to win, they didn't ask to be insulted. They just entered a contest, and that's it. Insulting artists because you feel inferior, does not a good argument make. Instead, it makes you look immature that you are so bothered by your entries that you can't pat the winners on the back and give them a job well done?

Stop whining and be the bigger person. Whiners only serve to cause more dArama, and who really needs that?





~KikaiSaigono
Please to support this article.

Every day there are THOUSANDS upon HUNDREDS of thousands of oil freely spilling in to the ocean from the exploded oil rig. Eleven crew members lost their lives when it ignited, and thousands more animals have died.

I've decided to hold a charity art auction, much like the one for the earthquake disaster, to donate money to the NRDC Oil Spill Relief Fund.

The auction will be for this piece:




Done 100% traditional with Copic Markers and Prismacolor Pencils. Features the character Ariel and Flounder from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid in the event of the oil spill.

If you would like to bid on this piece, please send me a NOTE for your bid!

The bidding goes until Saturday, July 3rd, 11:59 Eastern Time! After this date, no more bids will be accepted.

Upon a successful and winning bid, will either ask for the winner to donate the money directly and show me the receipt, or they can send me the money through PayPal, and I will donate it and show them the receipt. It will be the same as the Earthquake auction

Please spread the word about this auction! Or, if you can, start an auction of your own!

Thank you for your time, everyone

Some times in life we are dealt blows that do not make sense and are unfair. I want to tell you about an incredibly special girl.

This is Kiari:


This is ~KairiCentatri's daughter, named after her favorite character in Kingdom Hearts, Kairi. She is so very sweet, and a very, very special girl.

Last night, her mother made a post in her journal about her daughter: [link]

Yesterday, Rebecca found out her daughter of three years old has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, also known as A-L-L. As most of you probably know, Leukemia is a very serious disease, not to be taken lightly.

This girl is a mere THREE YEARS OLD. She hasn't even begun to live yet. I would give anything in the world for this to be me instead of her, for she still has so many things she has to do.

That's why I'm asking all of you to keep her in your thoughts or prayers, which ever you feel is best. It doesn't matter what religion you are, but please keep this girl in your thoughts.

Rebecca has kept me updated with pictures, and all of them are of little Kiari smiling. Her grin is bigger than I could ever imagine, even in the face of such a horrible disease. This girl is a fighter.

She is rightfully named after Kairi, who, in Kingdom Hearts, is said to have the strongest heart of them all. Kairi is a fighter, and she never leaves her friends behind. Little Kiari, I believe, is the same. She would never leave us, and that's why I believe she will pull through this.

Kiari was sent to Scottish Rite in Atlanta, where she is currently in PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) receiving every possible treatment available.

Scottish Rite in Atlanta (also known as Children's Hospital at Atlanta at Schottish Rite) is a NON-PROFIT hospital. Meaning, NO CHILD will be turned away, regardless of the parents' financial status! All the volunteers work there, saving children's lives solely because they care for these children. As such, they rely on donations to support their efforts. Please, don't ever let a child be denied health care that they truly need. Every dollar will go towards not only Kiari's recovery, but the recovery of every child in need.

I urge anyone that has any spare change around that they can give, anything at all, and donate to Children's. Here is their website: [link]

Even if you can't give, please keep Kiari in your prayers. I will update you with any news about her.

We love you Kiari


Rebecca's journal: [link]
Children's website: [link]

Please this news article to spread the word, this little girl needs our help, she has so much more to live for!