I keep seeing people supporting deviantart's application to manage ".art", a new Top Level Domain like ".com" or ".net", but here's why you SHOULD NOT.

From deviantart news: [link]
"Someone either using or visiting a .art address should know that they are in a place for the arts -- not just in a vanity environment. Organizations or others dedicated to the arts need to know that the people behind .art will respect their names and their status and not just sell "Louvre," "Chagall," "MOMA," or "StarCraftFan" to the highest bidder or to the first one in the door."

This whole concept is just wrong! Think about it, the ".art" TLD is not like ".edu" or ".gov" which require an approval process because they are meant to represent public institutions. ANYONE, literally ANYONE should be allowed to own a ".art" domain name and yes, that means first-come first-serve. The idea of having an approval process where people are going to judge the "artistic integrity" of a website is wrong on two levels. First, it gives the TLD manager way too much power over what they determine to be "art" and we can all agree that it's pretty subjective. Secondly, having a paid staff to approve TLDs means .art will cost even more!

The idea that we have a single organization attempting to preserve .art's "strong integrity to the arts" is inherently counter to the way art has always been on the internet. The TLD ".art" should be just like ".com", in that it should be first-come, first serve. Even if it means that some people will snatch up popular names in the first rush. Even if it means websites without a "strong integrity to the arts" get registered. It's worth it to keep the ".ART" domain name as accessible as the ".com" domain name.

I'm gonna be at Anthrocon this year!  Come by and see me at the Dealer's room at the "Illuminated Artists" Booth (Tables A13/A14/A15):
Friday 12pm-2pm
Saturday 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10am-12pm

I'll have prints of my ponies and I'll probably be doing some sketches, too!  Come stop by and say hi! The rest of the time I guess I'll be out enjoying the con, this is my first Anthrocon, so it'll be quite the adventure!

EDIT: Anthrocon is a Furry Convention in Pittsburgh, June 14-17: [link]

Well, I've been on deviantArt a long time, but for the past few years, I can't say it's been fun or productive... mostly, it's been a distraction for me.  So I'm going to try to use it a lot less, ideally I'd only like to visit once a week.  I don't want to deactivate, and I still want people to enjoy my art.  I will keep submitting art, but from now on, I will be using deviantArt a lot less.  Wish me good luck!

Of course, most of you will notice absolutely no difference.  

Mini-FAQ
1. Do you do commissions?
-No, I just don't have time right now, I'd rather work on my own projects.

2. Requests?
-No (see #1)

3. Trades?
-No (see #1)

4. Are you going to do [insert pony here] in the style of Rarity([link] and Fluttershy([link]?
-Yes!  I plan on doing the rest of the mane six (Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle)

5. I have another question.
-Please note me, I sometimes miss questions among all the comments.  You can also email me at sererena@gmail.com.

Well, it's official.  I kept leaning back and forth between Rarity and Pinkie Pie, but I have finally made my decision who is my favourite pony.

Applejack.

I think it was "Smart Cookie's" snarky little comments in the last episode.  [link]

Another note, a lot of people have been asking about my art availability, so here is a mini-FAQ.

Mini-FAQ
1. Do you do commissions?
No, I just don't have time right now, I'd rather work on my own projects.

2. Requests? No (see #1)

3. Trades? No (see #1)

4. Are you going to do [insert pony here] in the style of Rarity([link] and Fluttershy([link]?
Yes!  I plan on doing the rest of the mane six (Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle)


Anyways, hope you're all having great holidays!  Thank you for all your comments and faves, I read them all and they make me happy.

Just wanted to say Happy Halloween to all my watchers!  Do you have any fun plans this Halloween?  Sadly I'm sick so I probably be stuck in the house all day this year.  But at least I can enjoy my Halloween vicariously through you!  So tell me, what are you up to?

Edit: Sold out!

Heya, I'm back!  And I have some leftover sticker packs from Condition: Red!


These are a set of 7 stickers (some are overlapping, don't worry, they are all separate).  They are each about 3.5" in diameter, except the little Spike sticker, which is 2" high.  They are on glossy stock and very sticky (permanent, not removable).
I only have 5 SOLD OUT!
$10.00 Canada/US (shipping included)
$12.00 International (shipping included)

If you want a set, just send the funds to my paypal account at sererena@gmail.com and send me a note to tell me your shipping address!

Going back to SK to visit my family (and go camping!) for 2 weeks so I won't be on the net much.  I'll be back on Tuesday, August 16.  Hope you are all having a great summer as well!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Wasn't expecting these two to be at Condition: Red, but it was so awesome!  I can't remember the names of the other 2 guys...  But yeah I think I have a major crush on Rainbow Dash now.  I hope *sophiecabra makes suits of them all!!
  

This weekend coming up I'm going to be at Condition: Red, a furry con in London, Ontario.  I hope to be selling some of my MLP art as well as a few other pieces.  If you are at the con feel free to drop by my table and say hi!

I feel like I'm a little late to the scene, but holy crap, I love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  I mean, it's actually been a while since I enjoyed a show so much and omg I want to draw ponies all freaking day! Duaaaahahahahhhhhh!

I'm usually a pretty positive person, but I gotta admit, 2010 sucked donkey balls.  On the countdown I ate 12 grapes for luck and less than 60 seconds later I stubbed my toe really hard! Maybe it's a sign of an unlucky year? Nah, I'm still looking forward to 2011 with hope! 2011 is gonna be awesome yup.

And a Happy Summer Solstice to Southern Hemisphere-dwellers!

As for those of you living exactly on the equator... I have nothing to say to you.  You know what you did!

It's a Christmas Tree Decorating app: [link]

Okay so, I keep seeing this ad for "Sekirei" on smbc-comics.com.  



Bigger version: [link]

WTF is going on?  Those boobs... I have nothing against large boobs, but are these ones floating? Look at how close her chin is to them! There is such a thing as having your boobs *too* perky.  And what's up with the angle of her massively thick neck?  It looks physically painful, jutting so far down and forward and craning to the side.

Her pelvis is looking a bit weird, too.  If those skirt wrinkles are accurate, she's got quite the badonkadonk. That could be intentional, though.

Oh and if you don't know Rob Liefeld is, here's a link: [link] the fail!

So, someone told me about another incidence of my art reappearing on Deviant Art under another person's gallery.  It's a small annoyance really, and I know the piece is floating around all over the web... that doesn't really bug me that much.  Unless people are trying to make money off my work, I can just barely give a damn.  That's not what frustrates me about art thieves. And I don't mean the lazy artist/art thief and swipes a background or pose without proper credit.  No, I mean the people who just take a finished picture and slap their name on it. Basically, I'm just confused... I just wonder...

Why?

Why do some people go around stealing other people's art and claim it as their own?  

For the praise?
Ask any artist, and they will tell you that it's not the praise and attention that drives them to create art... it's the joy of creation.  Crafting a beautiful piece of artwork is it's own reward; the praise is just the icing on top.  But in the case of theft... the thief is getting praise, but it's completely false praise.  They are admiring the piece and praising the original artist... and the thief is not the original artist.  It's completely meaningless.  And this is why I generally don't feel "violated" or anything when I see my art stolen.  Because it's just so stupid.  What kind of idiot gets any sort of satisfaction from false meaningless praise?  I want to feel sorry for them... but I honestly just don't get it at all.  

Is it because they want to be like the artist they admire?
This one kind of makes me laugh.  As an artist, I can say that I'm always trying to improve my skills. But, besides completing a satisfying piece now and then, having good skills in art doesn't necessarily make us happier.  It's just a skill.  Artists get just as much joy creating artwork now as we did when we sucked at art (otherwise we probably would have given up!) I guess what I'm saying is that... being a good artist doesn't automatically make you happy.  

Anyways, does anyone have any clues about this?  Is it just that some people are better at lying to themselves (and others)?

????  ?       ?
?

Hey everybody!  It might seem strange that I'm looking for artists to work for me instead of the other way around, but it turns out many projects like games need more than one artist... fancy that! So anyways, I want to give money to artists in exchange for art.  Even if you yourself are not interested, please spread the word if you know anyone offering commissions or just looking for extra work. Info below:

-------------------------------------------------------
Seremeres Games is looking for freelance artists for short-term contracts. Specifically we are looking for character artists.  Artists must have the following skills:

• Proficiency in Photoshop


• 2D drawing skills with strength in character and costume design


• Attractive and accurate coloring and shading


• Able to be flexible with styles


• Ability to work independently and think creatively


• Reliability and ability to stick to tight deadlines

Hardware/Software

• Photoshop 7 or better (layer groups and smart objects)


• Graphics Tablet


• Paint Tool Sai (recommended but not required)

The artist is to complete the work with his/her own equipment and software from his/her  site. As for the styles, We're looking for artists who can do manga or comic styles. This will likely turn into a regular part-time gig. You must be 18 or over.

If you are interested, please send an email to games@seremeres.com with the subject “2D Character Artist”.  Please include the following information:

>Name
>Hourly Rate/Sample Commission Rates
>Location (country and city)
>Link to online gallery
>Your experience or education
>Your resume (optional)

We thank all applicants; however only applicants that are being considered will be contacted.
------------------------------------------------------