Edit: because people are still finding this somehow even though I'm totally done and over with it. I didn't mean to stir drama!
Just to make it clear, I don't have a problem with closed or invite only SS events. I'm not upset with event organizers for wanting to keep a certain level of professionalism among the artist they accept. What I *was* (and am now over it) upset about was the fact that my name was put up with a group blatantly labeled as "not good enough to be in the main group." Yes, maybe it was petty of me to be upset or insulted over that, but I was, and this journal was made just to let some steam out. I'm not, nor was I, fishing for compliments, whining about elitism or trying to get people to pull out of the event.
I'm sorry if this grew into something out of my control.
I'm going to keep my previous journal mostly in tact just because I don't like deleting my words, even if I was somewhat emotional when I wrote it initially and no longer feel this way.


I really didn't want to say anything about this whole stupid Secret Santa thing. I can understand how the project runners don't want to overload themselves and I totally understand wanting to keep the level of quality pretty high so that people can receive the same level of quality they give. I was politely put on the waiting list by *SecretSantaCutieGals (I got accepted ) and ignored by ~SuperSecretSanta (which I know and understand is because they were over whelmed with applications to join. I hold no ill feelings towards them) but it's the response I got from ~SecretSantasParty that I'm a bit insulted by.

Now, when it comes to art I seem to have a pretty high self esteem about it. I may not be the best but I think I'm pretty okay, okay enough to run with the big dogs so to speak. But the response right there on ~SecretSantasParty is pretty much saying, "You're good enough, but not good enough to be in the actual event." This is the exact sort of insult many people have been complaining about for these Secret Santa things but this is the first I think it's actually been put out there and DISPLAYED. And there I am, in the list of "not good enough" and I find myself insulted.

And the other artists there in the "not good enough" category... I'd LOVE to get art from them! I don't think the people running these events realize that most artists, when getting gift art, don't really care about the quality when it's THEIR character. Sure, if they spent 5 hours on something beautiful and then received a stick drawing I can see being a little miffed, but... ugg.

I'm just a little... disappointed by this, and maybe I shouldn't be, but I think I'm going to give up on trying to join in the holiday festivities this year. Seemed like a fun idea, but with so much drama surrounding it... bah. Screw it.

Ninja Edit: She took down the part that said "these people are good but not skilled enough to be in the main event." But she left this:
"I dont think artists that worked for YEARS!!!! would like to receive art from lesser skilled artists! I respect them and i have no intentions of adding lesser skilled artists to their list!!!"
I see now. Even though I've drawn seriously for over 5 years that's just not long enough. Obviously you asked the other artists on the list and they said they would find my art disgusting. I get it. (this is sarcasm, I'm not intentionally belittling myself.)