Mini Rant - Stop labelling Artists

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I am sick and tired of people always having to put labels on artists for drawing specific ways or using certain methods.
Just because someone uses bases, it doesn't mean they aren't an artist. Just because someone uses bases doesn't mean that's the ONLY art they do. Just because someone uses bases, doesn't mean it lacks creativity or effort. 

If you draw anything, whether it's with pencil, pen, tablet, computer, mouse or a laptop touchpad like me; it is ART. The definition of "art" is: "The products of human creativity" and using a base or not, it is still that person's creativity going into their specific method of drawing, making it art to THEM. Even if you are against using bases, just because it is not YOUR style doesn't mean it isn't a style to someone else.

And then you get fandom artists, like in the brony community here; You get a really popular pony artist who love what they do, but eventually want to try to draw other things and other fandoms and other styles - but they still get labelled as "Pony Artists".. Why? Because that's their most popular work? That doesn't mean they are Pony Artists, they are ARTISTS who can draw ponies. They draw other shows and pictures as well, but they usually go unnoticed since everyone cares about the label they give to the artist. 

That's the same as it is for base users like me. Yes, I use bases. But that is NOT the only art I do. I have been labeled as a base user, and ever since then my original work goes unnoticed or ignored. Just because I use bases; why do I use bases? Because I want to. Me, myself, I; not you, ME. Using them as a method of art is my choice, my preference. But being labelled as a "base user" makes others completely disregard the fact I actually DO draw from scratch; in fact, lately, I've been drawing fom scratch more than I ever have been! I have an ENTIRE folder in my gallery that's 100% base free work and no body seems to notice.. Perhaps you don't care, perhaps you can't READ, but it's there! --> ipandacakes.deviantart.com/gal…

And I work hard on each and every deviation in that gallery folder, yet, they don't get half the attention as my base work does. Why? Because of my label! People don't care that I can draw from scratch, they don't see me as anything other than a base user and base maker.
It frustrates me and makes me actually want to give up my original work sometimes, but then I remember actually wanting to improve, so I keep practicing. It's my hobby, and I like doing it. But when I don't have the time or inspiration to draw from scratch, yes, I use bases! It is not a crime to enjoy what you're doing no matter the method.

I am a base user, yes, but I only use bases now because I do not have the TIME to sit down at my laptop and spend hours sketching and drawing from scratch as often anymore. I am an MS paint user, and I draw with my middle finger on a toupad/trackpad, so excuse me if I have trouble drawing bodies from time to time. Using bases is easier for me when I'm short on time, it gets my ideas out and my characters used, and I enjoy doing it.. isn't that the point of art? To have fun, and enjoy drawing and intoducing your ideas and characters off to your friends and followers? The definition of an "artist" is "A person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination" and this can and is easily done even while using bases. Most, if not all, of my base work still takes a lot of time; most dolls I usually spend a good hour on or more, adding details and character.. all bases do is supply a body, an anatomy, for those who have trouble drawing anatomy themselves.. it's like training; but fun.

I also make my own bases, I take screenshots from the tv show and I outline and make bases myself, and upload them so others can use them freely. This has helped me understand anatomy a bit better, which has always been the hardest thing for me to draw. I can draw hair and accessories, and eyes and expressions; the body was always the issue.. and making and using bases has always been a helpful guide for me. If I never used bases or made them, I wouldn't have EVER found a style of my own that I was comfortable with. And it may not be perfect yet, and I don't plan on it ever to become perfect, but I enjoy it. And that's what's important.

And that goes for every other person on this website who uses bases, they are still artists. Whether you like it or not, it is art in their eyes, and you have no right to say otherwise. A stick figure can be a true piece of art if you put enough time and love into it.. or if you wish it to BE art, it will be; because it's YOUR art. Who cares what other people think about it? No matter the method you use, if you love your work than it's ART. Bases or no bases.. ponies or no ponies. It is all art. And people should stop giving labels to other people.. the only label we should all have is Artist. This is deviantART. Even people who write poems, or stories, or make music; that is still art. Art is what you create, and if some people need a little help in creating their work, I don't see a problem with that.. Everyone needs a little help now and then.

Just stop labelling people for the work they present; Just because their galleries are populated by a specific method of art doesn't mean that is the only form of art they can do.. and by giving people these labels, it makes them lose faith that people care that they're trying. I know because it's how I feel, and I know there are others who are given labels just like me, and I know they must be feeling the same thing. 

I know there will always be people who label me as a base user, and I know people will still continue to disregard the fact I can draw from scratch, it's how the world is today.. More people are interested in starting drama than making friends or respecting others. And I've accepted that.. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop using/making bases, and that doesn't mean I'm going to quit practicing on my original work either. 

I draw what I want to draw, I draw how I want how I want to draw, and what I draw is art; it is MY art. And if others don't like my form of art, they can go elsewhere and are never forced to even acknowledge my existence. Ignoring me is literally just one click away. Leave me to my methods, and leave others to their methods. We are all different, so why would our art have to be drawn the same way?