MuseMercier

I often receive messages exclaiming how ungrateful I am for not answering all my comments. I just wanted to say (out-loud) that actually this couldn't be further from the truth, I appreciate every single comment I receive (well not every one, "nice bush" is definitely not going down as comment of the year, but pretty much all the rest are very much appreciated!).

I do take the time to read all my comments and where possible I try to answer (often thinking I'll come back later and reply and then just not getting the time). I have been on DA for many years now and obviously in this time I have accumulated quite a number of watchers, as a result I get a large amount of comments on each image, add in other comments on other sites and it's around 200+ (as well as messages and emails on top of that). I just can't keep up with that volume of messages, especially when I'm working away on location for a few days (which I often am) everything accumulates.

I actually think I answer more than most, I see so many people who rarely return comments and most of the time it's on the defense - a retaliation to a negative comment. Which I personally think is rather counterproductive (encouraging the negative and ignoring the positive).

So, anyway...

Basically what I wanted to say is thank you for commenting and please don't assume just because I don't always have the time to reply, that I haven't read what you've written or I don't appreciate your feedback, because I have and I do.

Thanks for reading!

Muse

I'm not sure what has happened to DA lately, but sadly I'm noticing more and more people are becoming rude and obnoxious when commenting on others work. This isn't just my work, I've noticed it across the whole site.

It seems some people think it's absolutely ok to insult people, with absolutely no provocation, other than the fact they don't like their work or are jealous for some reason (the person's work makes them feel bad about themselves or they feel the person is getting more attention than them, for what they consider invalid reasons).

If you have something constructive or relevant to say about someone's work, no matter how negative, then that is absolutely ok. But to just be negative or plain rude to make yourself feel better, is never ok under any circumstances. Think before you type, how would you feel if someone wrote what you were about to write, to you, your partner or your friend? Would you find it helpful, hurtful, insulting? Would you have the guts to say what you're about to write, in person - to that person's face?

Personally my absolute hate is when people are overtly sexual towards me. I don't give 2nd chances here, I always block anyone instantly who becomes too amorous (to put it gently). I'm an art nude model, not a pornstar. If my work turns you on, that's perfectly fine, it wasn't my intention, but that's ok - I understand that some of my work will be seen that way. But please just keep your thoughts to yourself, I do not need to know that I'd look great in your bed. I just find these kind of comments creepy and embarrassing. I am also a monogamous, happily married woman (albeit a naked artistic one) so please have some respect. Not just for me, but for all models, artists and photographers on the internet. Naked + internet does not always = intended as porn.

I am sorry (to the majority of my watchers) for this rant, as this will not apply to you. I'm probably "preaching to the choir" so to speak, as the ones that throw insults out randomly - generally don't read peoples blogs or artist's comments. But regardless, I just had to say this, as it's really been getting on my nerves of late.

Thanks for reading!

Muse