Great rant.  I agree with some, and disagree with other points.  Pushing yourself creatively is a good thing, no matter who says it.  I got WIngs3d, shortly after getting poser 6 and have made props of my own.  I've done tons of textures as well, and it's a stone hoot to do.

As much as I do my own stuff, I still use other people's stuff,too.  To be blunt--why re-invent the wheel?  If something is close enough, use it; take it move it, morph it, melt it, make it your own and let your muse help you out.

I've always been an artist, and the simile that I use is colored pencils. I don't CARE who made them.  If I bought it--it's MY damned pencil.  It IS up to me what I draw with it.

EVEN if the big boys are oil-painting, or whatever. :lol:

I cannot save the world. Only my little piece of it. If we all act together, we can save the world.--Nelson Mandela
An  inconsistent hobgoblin is the fool of little minds
Taking "Just do it" to a whole new level!