I believe we've had this discussion many times before with you? It didn't come down to accepted styles, more to doing it properly (anatomy wise for example).
No, that's simplifying it too much. If you posted studies of faces and muscles and then people saw a better understanding of anatomy and weight later on in you're work, that would definitely get people off of your back. I think a good example of rediculous design + grounded art knowledge is Ferg...…
I think the way you're looking at your situation as a whole is fundamentally wrong. This isn't going to be a quick fix. This reminds me of when I first started to draw. I had friends tell me my anatomy was bad. My characters faces looked wrong and in my youth and stupidity, do you know what my answer was? "Well it's anime"…
Can't say that I've felt restricted on the hiring front. It's easy to get caught up in wanting to make a portfolio that is tailored to job getting. (uh dur!) The problem is art often suffers when you're making it because you feel you have to, and not because it's something you're creatively invested it. Quality…