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Play the Adri Game We all get down and feel at some point in the year, month, week, and day.
How can it get better?
Play My Game
Get a few friends together and make a promise that somehow every single day you will tell each friend one thing that makes them awesome and unique individuals unlike no other. You're their friend for a reason, and their your friends for their reasons. You just have to let them know and hear them out.
I'm your friend for a reason, I don't want you to constantly feel bad. So let my words influence you positively when you feel down; I want you to know as a friend how awesome you are. I want you to feel that awesomeness for yourself, so I'll remind you every day of it.
So I'll play my game, and make it happen. You should do it too.
You can do it on twitter, Facebook, sticky notes on their desk, skype Im/calls. Let them know how much they mean to you and learn intimate details why you have these friends. Even if

Devious Minds: FallenUmbraDiscovering what makes us devious.
=FallenUmbrella :iconFallenUmbra:

=FallenUmbrella has requested that random works from her favorites be featured instead of her works.
How did you first discover deviantART?

I never knew about the internet until I was about 7 or 8 years old, where I would just play games on there once in a while. When I was about 11, I browsed around the internet a little more often, and ended up reading fanfiction of some movies and TV shows

. I looked at some of the profiles of authors, and some linked their dA accounts. I browsed around that deviantART for a short time and dismissed it as nothing.
Shortly after turning 13, my English teacher made my class participate in the National Novel Writing Month where I typed my fingers off over 21,000 words and became an active member in the forums. After almost one year, someone posted a thread about deviantART. I visited this wonderful community again, an

Where is the Devious Love? Volume VWhere is the Devious Love?
An article promoting positivity in the community
And general warmth and fuzziness

Volume I | Volume II | Volume III | Volume IV | Volume V
I wanted to put together a series of articles that focus on the opposite of drAma, instead focusing on positives. Here is a collection of messages I have gathered from members of the community, that highlight positive moments, be they success stories, kind words or general messages of encouragement for those who work hard.

"i suggest ~FyreBurnsStrong96 for the next volume fo where is the devious love?
She

Community Projects Around deviantART! Volume 1 Community Projects Around deviantART
Wait a second... what is a community project?
A community project is when a group of people or an individual creates, develops, or does something for the benefit of another person or group of people.
Why is it so important anyways?
Community projects try to resolve an issue, promote positive ideals, and/or is a good way to mix and mingle!
Contemporary:

`manic-cure's has a Paper Faces Project, a collective of pictures of deviants holding a piece of paper showing partially our heads and a creative face drawn on the paper!

`ScENeYmE & ^DistortedSmile have a Art History Project for all deviants to learn from! They are looking for people to help contribute to the enrichment of art throughout history!

Celebrating Deviousness - OctoberDeviousness Award
Congratulations to `JCROXAS
Noah's Ark
The new deviantART HQ
The Child of Venus
What is this Awesome Achievement?
The Deviousness Award is an accolade which is traditionally handed out on the 1st of every month to one truly outstanding deviant.
JCROXAS 2011
Dreaming Mug

Presenting: Community VolunteersA BRIEF OVERVIEW
Over the years, we've been proud to offer the opportunity to volunteer with deviantART. We believe that our volunteers play a crucial role in helping our community develop and grow in positive ways.
The Gallery Moderator (previously known as Gallery Director) and Message Network Admin (MN@) teams have become a much loved and appreciated role, with many volunteers proudly detailing their experience in applications to enter into successful careers with companies who all recognise the value of volunteering in such a vibrant and eclectic community. Did you know that some of our now full time Staff were once volunteers? $fourteenthstar, $Moonbeam13, $pachunka, $aunjuli, $y2jenn, $damphyr, `Tachy-on, $dxd and $Ikue all volunteered in various roles -- and we are all very proud of that fact!
Over the past few months, we've been taking a close look at the volunteer experience -- what's worked, what hasn't worked a

This first issue is a little different from others – I became a Community Volunteer in the last days of September, and `ginkgografix’ last monthly DD collection was in July. So here are the DDs given by other volunteers (mostly `WDWParksGal) in the two months inbetween

Also be warned, I link to many informative articles by `ginkgografix since she was the volunteer before me and created many useful articles about dA related

Also see:

:faq61:

`ginkgografix’ Overview of dA related & Guide to the dA related galleries

My DD suggesting guidelines
The August features

An Absurd Interview not required

It's not required from me to say hi but I'll say it anyways: Hi! And welcome to a new edition of Absurd Interviews: Being absurd before it was too mainstream.
I suddenly remembered I had this interview in my notes for so long, I had to publish it as soon as possible. Why? Because apparently I'm like Dory and I tend to forget... stuff...
Oh hi!

And welcome to a new edition of Absurd Interviews: Being absurd before it was too mainstream! Today I bring you a deviant with no name required: $namenotrequired!

Hello person with no name required! We know your name is not required but if you could have any name, what would it be?
Hello!

I may not have named my account, but my parents did name me – and I like the name they gave me, Bart, just fine to keep.

If your current life could be described w

Seniority Announcements - January 2013

This article marks the latest additions to the dizzy height of Senior members in our community. With just over 1000 deviants holding the highly saught after ` -- it's clearly a moment that deserves recognition.
:faq29:
So what does it take to become a Senior? That's a question many have asked and have never really been able to get a straight answer on. Some have gained Seniority as a thank you for their time spent as a Volunteer, or to recognise their contribution to a particular project or collaborative action. Some have gained Seniority because of their community spirit, providing help and assistance to many other deviants and taking time out to promote the work of others in the community. 
Some people have received Seniority because of their artistic endevours, having a positive influence on their peers by sharing resources, providing constructive criticism and by being a voice that stands out above the many other

dA Staff Appreciation Week Interviews: damphyr$damphyr
:icondamphyr:
As part of deviantART Staff Appreciation Week, #StaffAppreciation has organized interviews with our staff members so that we can get to know them a little bit better!
This interview was conducted by the ever-awesome ^ladygagz! Thank you to him, and a big thanks to $damphyr for taking the time to participate!

How are you?
Good as one can be

Could you give us a brief description of what you do, in terms of working for deviantART?
I'm the senior member of the CEA. My duties include the moderation desk handling reports from the community, Help Desk tickets sent in, educating the community and just general search-and-destroy for porn, trolls, etc.
Was joining the dA team a passion or dream, or was it something you happened to get into just as a job?
I was a volunteer for deviantART for several years before I was asked

Seniority Announcement - 11th Birthday EditionThis article celebrates our latest additions of Senior members in our community.
:faq29:
So what does it take to become a Senior? That's a question many have asked and have never really been able to get a straight answer on. Some have gained Seniority as a thank you for their time spent as a Volunteer, or to recognise their contribution to a particular project or collaborative action. Some have gained Seniority because of their community spirit, providing help and assistance to many other deviants and taking time out to promote the work of others in the community.
Some people have received Seniority because of their artistic endevours, having a positive influence on their peers by sharing resources, providing constructive criticism and by being a voice that stands out above the many others who deviate to be recognised in the crowd.
Today, we present to you the following deviants who have all been awarded Seniority as part of our 11th birthday celebrations. They have all been nominated

Celebrating Deviousness - March 2012 Deviousness Award
Deviousness Award

Congratulations to `RockstarVanity

Spirit

AJ

Stellar

What is this Awesome Achievement?

The Deviousness Award is an accolade which is traditionally handed out on the 1st of every month to one truly outstanding deviant.

The dawning of each new month brings a new Deviousness recipient, and we're sure you'll agree that
`RockstarVanity is very deserving of the award for March 2012. `RockstarVanity's gallery is filled with striking, vibrant photography and endless inspiration.
Throughout her time as a Community Volunteer, Tanya promoted positivity whilst providing constructive

Seniority Announcement - June 2012

This article marks the latest announcements detailing the latest additions to the dizzy height of Senior members in our community. With just over 900 deviants holding the highly saught after ` -- it's clearly a moment that deserves recognition.
:faq29:
So what does it take to become a Senior? That's a question many have asked and have never really been able to get a straight answer on. Some have gained Seniority as a thank you for their time spent as a Volunteer, or to recognise their contribution to a particular project or collaborative action. Some have gained Seniority because of their community spirit, providing help and assistance to many other deviants and taking time out to promote the work of others in the community.
Some people have received Seniority because of their artistic endevours, having a positive influence on their peers by sharing resources, providing constructive criticism and by being a voice t

[#dAr] August 2011 Newsletter:icondeviantart-related: | Your Monthly dAr Newsletter
Covering August 2011 - Volume 6
Each month #deviantART-Related will roll out a monthly summary with features, interviews, contest details and updates concerning the deviantART related category here on dA. We run independently of any official dA representative and serve only to expand knowledge and open up the deviantART Related category. You may feel free to suggest something related to that category for feature, or an artist you feel represents something in that category well. All suggestions can be noted to ^ladygagz or #deviantART-Related.
#deviantART-Related News

The winner of the deviantART Poll BirthdAy Game (which was co-hosted by us!) was announced earlier this month.

We have slightly changed our

What's Going On??This article series aims to answer that question for you.

Here's some going ons from the deviantART community! Contests to participate in, causes to support, art and art features to enjoy!
Remember, you can always note me if you want help running your own Community Project, and/or if you'd like me to feature your project, or the winners

- Projects
Challenge yourself to improve as an artist with Project: Improvement for the Better
^Aeirmid wants to do the best job she possibly can as a volunteer - check the many ways in you can help her.
The online art & literature magazine

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Devious Minds: Topicality

by `PurpelBlur, Oct 21, 2011, 4:55:04 PM
Journals / Culture / Interviews

Discovering what makes us devious.

*Topicality

How did you first discover deviantART?

I was looking at art online when I was young, and saw `loish's work, it eventually led me to deviantART. I lurked for a while, then eventually joined!

What was it about dA that made you want to stay?

I wanted to post my artwork... however once I discovered chats, I learned about GMs (now CV's) and Daily Deviation suggesting. I had and continue to have the loving support that keeps me here, along with my ability to find and collect beautiful artwork- Tis it is all about the art!

What is the story behind your username?

At one point I wanted to do debate in high school, but I've gone off to do other things. I was thinking of good user names and was playing with a random word generator. It came up with the word Topicality, a word I remembered was used in debate. It's used in debate when one is going off topic. So I thought why not?

What do you remember of your childhood in regards to art?

My father is a hobbyist photographer, so when I was younger I would always want to hold the camera. I also enjoyed drawing at a young age, particularly daily doodles in Earth Science class in 6th grade.

Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?

Traditional Drawing? Nothing really did. For photography, my father's enjoyment of it transferred to me as he got a newer Cannon, he let me use his older one.

Who or what motivates you to continue creating?

I started to really get into artwork once I joined deviantART, I just loved finding all of these different photographs and drawings. It inspires me on a day to day basis. I'm also very self motivated (despite how cynical I can be) and am willing to work to become better as a hobbyist artist. Also, opinions, I absolutely love them- even if they're the opposite of how I perceive it, they give me perspective and understanding.

Of your own work, which has the most meaning to you and why?

:thumb209860374:
The crow obviously looks intimidating in this photograph. When I was younger, people bullied and intimidated me. Not fun, but I let it happen, I was an extreme pushover. Realizing this, I've thickened my skin to steel and learned how to bitch appropriately without becoming insensitive. Currently I don't have any problems with bullies.

Do you have any personal goals in relation to deviantART?

One project I did do in relation to deviantART was raising money for the ASPCA; deviantART set the goal of 2,500 dollars by sporting my kitty icon and I'm currently fulfilling that as a long term goal.

This isn't a goal, but I would be curious to see what #hq looks like. I would be particularly excited if there was a mini llama ranch enclosed on the property.

Are you working on any projects or wish to promote some projects?

Well I'm working on a group called #Community-Projects... ever so slowly. We will be up though and we have ideas for community based projects on deviantART and supporting the gallery itself.

Which movies did you enjoy most?

I always enjoy movies! I loved the Bourne Trilogy, Star Wars, Inception, Sherlock Holmes (Jude Law <3), Inglorious Bastards, Wall-E, Up, and my favourite old time movie is the animated Alice in Wonderland.

What type of music do you listen to? (Specific groups/artists?)

Oh I listen to more than I should. I listen to most music excluding anything that has screaming or any country.

Which books could you just not put down?

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

What foods can you just never seem to resist? Drinks?

I'm passionately in love with anything spicy, Indian food, Italian, Greek, Latin American, and most of all chocolate! Drink wise I like Tea and Coffee both. For some reason, I found this amazing brand of organic non fat chocolate soy milk that's sooo gooooooddd, I was surprised given how unappealing the name and description sounds. Overall I like my hydrogen hydroxide the most.

What are your pet peeves on dA and in general?

On deviantART it would be having an perfectly opinion, but expressing it inappropriately. In general it would be anything related to table manners. I hate it when I can hear people eating... the smacking of fingers … ugh.

Something random about yourself you wish to share?

Uhh... I'm a naughty Jew?

What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art? Life?

Being merely a young teenager, I couldn't offer advice without thinking to myself. I TOTALLY am an amazing guru and all knowledgeable. It TOTALLY comes with age which is why I'm so awesome ._sarcasm For those curious, I would recommend for artists to do what I'm doing I guess. Do studies on a daily basis, look at user tutorials, read magazines, and then write down what you know to better remember it. For life, don't be a pushover. I also recommend to strive for success, in other words do what makes you happy. I quite like this site here called Addicted2Success, it's motivation for me.

What does Art mean to you?

It means a way for me to use my brain other than school. I love how calming and relaxing it is. I also just love the visual eye candy it's so appealing. It's always a pleasure to be in a creative environment.

Is there anything else you wish to say?