REUTERS – It all began with an anti-cliché contest.

Deviant Artists were challenged to create pieces that defied common photomanip conventions, and many worked hard to do just that.

The only problem was the butterflies. They rely on photomanips for steady work, and suddenly artists across DA were actively shunning them.

“I’ve got larvae at home to think about,” said Buttercup of Shoofly Stock, who did not wish to have her last name used for this article. “Without photomanips, the best I can hope for is a quick, unbilled appearance in a local film. Since we don’t have a DVD player, my kids will never see it. Butterfly lives are short, and it’s important to think about posterity.”

When an artist pointed out that Buttercup and her kin were created in a 3D rendering program, she flew away.

“What gets me,” said Cerulean, of Kayne Stock, “is that butterflies work. I’ve seen artists trying to do some crazy things to replace us. One crazy woman is using turtles.”

The crazy woman in question did agree that the turtles have caused problems. “They’re a lot heavier than butterflies,” she said. “So when they run into you, it hurts.”

Raffs Giraffe, of Nefaro Stock, agrees. “They’re the most graceless creatures I’ve ever had to work with. I’m considering filing for workers’ comp.” Giraffe was wearing a bandage on his nose during the interview.

The butterflies have recently begun picketing. “If it ain’t broke,” is their cry, “don’t mess with it.”

The turtles, meanwhile, are unhappy about so much negativity.

“I think the challenge is a great idea,” said Tobias Mathias Turtlias of CRStock. “Sea turtles are sorely neglected in the Deviant Art photomanip community.”

Adds Turtalias’ twin brother, Josais, “Nobody learns to fly in one day. Our accident rate is dropping each day. And the giraffe is running into US.”

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Butterflies (and the wings on the turtles) are thanks to and

Giraffe is thanks to and the sea turtle is thanks to

Sign is thanks to

Background is from my stock at

Model and bandage are mine!

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I only discovered this contest a few days ago. I wish I'd found it sooner. I had more ideas, but only time to do one (and barely that -- but it was such a fun challenge I HAD to find time)! Heaven only knows what I'd have come up with if I'd had more time...

Download for full view or you can see the picket detail here.