Mrs_NerdAlert's contest

Necessary rant

Ok, I am required to rant, my apologies in advance.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but art is a free and beautiful thing, no?
It's something developed and shared and sometimes critiqued, no?
And it's something people may obsess in or use as a pass-time, no?
Then please, explain why the similarity between two processed, protected, and beloved art styles creates such a ruckus. Their similar, I'm sorry, can they not look like that? Can the shading be less like theirs? Must the eyes look different from someone else's? If both spent time practicing and the influence of others and their own personal experiences shaped their artwork what's the harm in it looking similar? It's not identical, it's not replaceable!
Is theirs and theirs alone.
On that note, art thievery.
What? Why? If you have the energy to take someone else's art but not put any effort into concealing it, therefor making the ownership of the product clearly visible, what's the purpose of stealing it in the first place? Art is precious and lovely, but thievery is not the best way to show appreciation, when you can develop a beautiful and lovely art style of your own!
(How many words? I assume 200+)

Note:
Ms_NerdAlert my sincere apologies for the late turn in, where I am 2/14/17 isn't over and I'm sorry if I have inconvenienced you. The clear picture of the cover is in my art book, you where tagged and I hope the story is to your liking!