So, something that really bugs me is when someone comes to me and requests something, then makes no effort to say anything once the image is complete and I have notified them (by dA note). I just spent 8+ hours of my own free time, for free, creating something for someone else and I don't get any acknowledgement! That really ticks me off!

I am not expecting the requester to swoon over it or anything, but a simple "thank you" is what polite people do when others make time in their lives to honor your non-paid requests. I don't have a whole heap of time for artsy stuff - I have a toddler who thinks Momma's tablet is the coolest think to rub her grubby little fingers all over.

I could imagine someone might get shy if they didn't like what I made for them - that would make me a bit uneasy if I were in their shoes. But the polite thing to do is just say "thank you for your time". You can throw in a "while it's not quite what I was looking for, I appreciate your time and effort", also, if you want.

So, what happens when this occurs is I decide that the requester is an ungrateful little shit and I make a mental note to never, ever do another request for them - or even a paid commission.

....

That being said... I think that this happening to me could very well be cosmic karma for not having finished my half of an art trade I entered into with many years ago. She made the fabulously stunning Octoparrot, and I got extremely intimidated by the idea of creating a "jazzdragon" (I over thought it and psyched myself out. In fact, I am still over thinking it...). While I did acknowledge Rachael's awe-inspiring work (and I swooned over it, too, which is an appropriate reaction to her work) like a nice polite person, I still feel like an ungrateful little shit for not having finished my half... yet.