As the first issue of Defeating Devious Discomfort (DDD) I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Salley Ashley. My artistic interests include literature, pixel-art, photography, and photo-manipulations--to name a few. I'm a military veteran and military spouse, so I do a lot of traveling.

At least five hours of my day gets spent in front of my personal computer. A lot of that time is spent right here on deviantART checking messages, admiring art, and doing what I can to support this community. Which is exactly why I wanted to begin this news article.

All of the fantastic tips, tricks, and resources for improving our art is wonderful, but what about the artist? In order for all of us to continue creating masterpieces for years to come, we have to take care of ourselves.

Today I want to talk to you about proper posture. When you're sitting in front of your computer, you'll sometimes lean forward to get a better look at something and forget to sit back in your seat afterward. Or perhaps you're working diligently on a new masterpiece, so you're slouching a bit as you work.

It's important that you keep your spine aligned. If you slouch or slump over in your younger years you'll have back and/or neck problems later in life. When you're browsing or creating remember to sit back in a comfortable, but stable position.

Keep your back in contact with the back of your seat and be sure your feet are on the ground. For those who can afford to do so, purchase a chair which provides comfort and stability. If you're a part of our vast starving artist category, be sure you have a sturdy chair and use pillows evenly along the back of it for added comfort. You'll want to be sure that the pillows remain evenly disbursed to avoid undo pressure at any point on your spine.

Another thing you'll want to keep in mind is the distance from your chair to your keyboard, mouse, and/or tablet. Be sure that you're able to sit properly and still reach the tools of your trade. By doing this you'll be able to create with comfort and continue to share your talent for years to come.

Here are some deviations that show you what you want to avoid:


Although they create some fantastic works of art, you won't want to slouch, slump, or lean over for an extended period.

I hope that this article has made you a bit more aware on how you can defeat devious discomfort. Wishing you all the very best and hoping my tips will encourage you to remember the artist behind the art.


-LK