Some Advice please.

I have been an enthusiastic, loyal and I hate to say it now but cheerleading purchaser  and member of Istock since 2003 and a contributor for 4 years (Vector Illustration only). I am exclusive and have been for 3 1/2 years.

Up until the beginning of this year, I was earning a fairly reasonable amount every month, I am a full time graphic designer/illustrator, so uploaded in my spare time, sort of like moonlighting!.

This past year I have not uploaded much for various reasons, family issues being one, but also a severe lack of motivation/inspiration, a major contributor to this being the change in treatment from the powers that be, for example: Change in royalty from canister to RC, subsequent loss in royalty %, the unfair way illustrators are treated in relation to photographers  to achieve the necessary RC credits, the logo fiasco (what a waste of bloody time, work and effort), the lack of opportunities given to Vector exclusive contributors (no exclusive +, no editorial, the removal of Vetta, the reappearance of Vetta), removal of funds from contributors account due to Fraudulent purchases that Istock allowed to happen,etc, etc.

Recently I pulled myself together, stopped sulking ,stopped looking at the forums (always bad news, always depressing) and started to upload with gusto again.

HOWEVER, This past few months my downloads have dropped off a cliff, my previously best sellers no longer appear on my most popular files list, basically Istock don't want to sell them anymore.

September which used to be the start of the busy download season for me is worse than the Summer months.

As the recently departed K.K.T. once said, "Money won't make you happy", well sorry mate with Istock now, it is no longer about love, woohays, or cuddles it is about cold hard cash and  I am no longer earning any.

SOO, I am thinking the previously unthinkable, jumping ship and becoming independent throwing off the shackles and becoming free. I was previously unwilling to do this, because I did not want to lose a large percentage of my earnings, but, now 50% of nowt is nowt, so I have nothing to lose and my best sellers that are now languishing in the dark will get the chance to sell somewhere else.

I realise that I will be too late to reap the benefit of the busy times anywhere else Sept-Dec this year so am looking to change the beginning of next year.

My portfolio is a mix of backgrounds, chrimbo stuff, cartoons, concept illustrations, arty farty painting effects and and a small amount of quirky unusual illos that don't sell much but are there for vanity really!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, on either what sites are best for Vector only illustrators, or any way to improve my downloads at Istock.

Please help.