Ever noticed that there is something missing in the controversies about dA, that popular debate going on whether dA is or isn't mere "popularity contest"?
It often seems the participants of this debate know only two kinds of deviants: "true artists", loyal to the site's artistic spirit, and their enemies that destroy this spirit by "popularity hunting" or submitting "trash".

And looking at all this, I wonder: Where are some of my friends? Where am I?


I don't consider myself an artist. I lack both skill and devotion for that. I don't aim at becoming professional, I didn't join dA for the holy purpose of "getting better" at my art (even though that wouldn't hurt of course ).

I came here to share my pictures - because while they are far from professional, people still can enjoy them, and some of them do. It's a wonderful opportunity, to share in an open community like this, and look for other people here that have neither professional skills nor ambitions, yet there's this "something" about their work that draws me to them.

I came here because I was and still am curious what people think about my pictures and little snippets of stories. It makes me happy when someone comments, of favs, or even watches me. I came to understand that in order to receive, I have to give as well - and in order to feel good about what I receive, I have to give something valuable, something more than a bait for someone to follow to my gallery.

I came here to socialize, to find new acquaintances and friends. Regular chats don't really appeal to me as I'm rarely able to talk about small nothings. So I came here, and talk about people's pictures and stories and characters and sometimes the events in their journals, and sometimes I take part in the great controversies around here because I like the challenge of forming and expressing my opinions.


In short, I'm here mostly for fun. And yet I care about deviantART. In the short time I'm here, I made myself comfortable on dA. Talking with the others, sharing my hobby, I'm trying to support its good sides, even though I won't make it into something more noble and artistic by my mere presence.

Surely there are many people like me. People who share a hobby, and share the community. People who are here for the simple joy of creating and talking, and don't really care if it is artistic enough. I even dare to say there is majority of us. Not the white knights of artistic endeavor, not the villains who selfishly ruin this place, but the "middle class" of normal, if sometimes a little crazy, humans.

Don't get me wrong. I admire the people I consider great artists, especially when they are wonderful human beings as well. I respect people who want to become these great artists and work hard for it.
But if these were the only ones with the "moral right" to be here... wouldn't this place get somewhat poorer?