The theft was removed from the contest (and DA) and DA has chosen a new winner:



If you had read my previous update (see below) you should know I am much more pleased with the outcome of the contest.

This story has a happy ending

And I'm off to AX now, so don't expect any responses on anything, though my sis might check time to time to relay important messages via phone (I wouldn't count on it though).


EDIT: Turns out the winner of the contest traced the image? Hmmmm...

This is obviously a trace and not a reff, the lines line up exactly, the shading lines up exactly, they covered the ear on the left the exact same way (just a diff hair style) and left the one on the right off completely because it wasn't there to trace. Even what can be seen of the skirt is traced. Incidentally they forgot to trace the eyebrows.

The anime community is GOING to know this is a trace off Mermaid melody pitchy pitchy pitch (apparently it's pretty popular. What a terrible message DA would be sending out about their community. The drama will be interesting if nothing else.

Origonal Image:

Larger Image: [link]

Trace:


Edit: they have now admitted to 'referencing' (still denial about the trace) in the image. I am both disappointed that they still think this is ok, and that they only felt the need to admit anything AFTER they where caught stealing. I'm sure they'd have been happy to take credit for everything had they not been caught (as they had been doing before they where caught).

Overlay:


Deviation:



"Lol" DA... just lol. When I called it I didn't know I ACTUALLY called it.

Winning News Article: [link] (DA has now deleted this announcement article)

Their Denial: [link] Really now? Really?

I realize in posting this I no longer have a snowballs chance in hell of winning if they change the winner (as my mother so eloquently pointed out to me). But I'm ok with that (DA doesn't care for drama or people like me, so I've been told).

Getting mad at DA about it is a misdirected anger, I'm sure they didn't know it was traced and it is their right to select what they want to represent their business and community. The person didn't tell them it was traced (until they where caught) I will however be quite disappointed if a new (non-tracing/fanart) winner isn't selected since they can't say no one told them at this point. If they want to use a traced picture from a popular to represent them in an anime community, that's their decision,

I'm sure most the people there will know exactly what the image was originally from and I doubt that would leave a good impression as an art community. And cons have been kicking people out for having their art even just 'too close' to other official art, they could get themselves kicked out of the con entirely with it.



Didn't win the poster contest. I'm not really disappointed that I didn't win. Made it as origonal as I could while keeping it commercial and functional as a poster given 2 days to plan, draw and colour. I'll just change the picture around a bit and make it into something else for next year. I guess it just wasn't commercial enough, I'll have to work on that in the future.

My entry:



I am however disappointed with the winner. There where many functional entries that I think should have won instead. But maybe the flash traced shoujo "omg kawaii desu ^__^" style just doesn't do it for me. This wouldn't bring me to their table.

Winning entry:


(I wonder if they will let her edit the missing ear in before it goes to print)

Entry I would have chosen to win:



Others I liked for the win:



I am glad however it wasn't a fanart that won, even if it looks like a trace of an official shoujo art (just what it looks like to me, doesn't mean it is). I will still see you at AX

Journal mood thingy still broken, just ignore it.

Just to be clear, this is nothing against the artist (the artist has much more interesting things in their gallery) and this image certainly doesn't represent their creativity, style or their skill. It was DA's choice on the winner.

Winning Entry Announcement: [link]





_{If your monitor is too small for the map even on journal full view you can also find it here: [link]}

(*lone-momo made the map, so our names are RADIO ACTIVE apparently),

Exactly what table I'll end up at is unsure (we'll decide amongst our group when we get there) it will be either D10 or 11. (map will be updated as more people are added or tables are moved... again).

THE GROUP:


ANYHOW, I will also be taking on spot commissions while I'm there. Traditional medium only (I will NOT be taking orders for commissions I can not complete while I'm there. My regular commissions are full.)

I will be bringing my paints, so this is the kinda thing you'll get:



I'll also be doing collab commissions with (she'll draw, I'll paint).

-----

Some shit came up and now my friend is missing a room for Anime Expo. I'm currently at max in my room so I'm trying to help her find someone to room with. Only requirement being there be at least 1 female in the room, actual room for her, not sneaking her in, and the roommates not be 50 year old pedos D: She'll pay for her part of the room of course.

If you're interested please note either her or myself with what hotel you're in and how much she would owe you /night in the room, thanks

Her:

Roomate Found! Thanks