beautifully said laura..

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~ [̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅] exists ~

This is a topic for which I tend to have strong feelings for. I say that first off because it seems that no matter how important or not we tend to make popularity an issue, it is still there. We all want to be popular. I agree that it SHOULD be about your art. You state that very well. But alas, it's not ALWAYS about art here on dA. How do I know? Because of what I have seen happen on pages and in galleries of others. You can take any level of artist here, and look at their pageviews, comments, and favorites, and come to a conclusion that people must like this person for some reason. When I go to an artist that may be just budding out with their talent, yet not quite the caliber of a commercial or fine artist, and see them getting comments and pageviews and work being faved like they were THE artist on this site, then I ask, "why?" This is where several things come to mind.

1) They are that one popular person that everyone swarms around. They have that "clique". You know... It's just US and we will rally around and get more friends, just to look good. ( go look at myspace and you know what I mean)

2) They are a great artist, and their work deserves all the attention it gets. I won't even argue that they shouldn't get all the attention if they are truly a gifted person.

3) Could be that they are the Fan Art King too, and we know that if you can draw fan art, you have the attention of a mass majority, than you do from those who like quality art for the sake of art, and not for the sake of it being a likeness of something else. Did not say fan art is not important or good, but it seems to be the IN thing.

I say all of that knowing that I have been one of the "in the middle" kind of artists here. Not that much recognition, but then again, not all bad. I don't get commissions (only 3 so far in two years), like everyone else brags about here, and I haven't sold one single print in over two years of being here. Am I good? Read the comments in my gallery and judge for yourself. I cannot say. For if I were to say, I think I am a contender with some of the best here... but clearly I am not THE best, because there are some fantastic artists here. I do humbly bow down to those who are masters of the craft.

Why am I here then? Well when I was introduced to Deviantart over two years ago, I found it to be a place where I saw people showing their work like a true art gallery, and with the potential to not only get critiques from fellow artists... but also to make a bit of extra money through the sale of prints or commissions. I received one DD when I first got here... it has went downhill since then. How do you go downhill on a site, when the work that is being done in real life is getting better and getting more recognition? (Not saying the sales in real life are growing that much, but it is to a degree) Something must be amiss.

Is it the art that makes us popular? I still would like to think so. But if that is the case, then those who view my art must not see a need to comment much. If it is popularity, well I'm not winning in that department either.

So, what is expected of each member to become popular? Does the ultimate price wind up being just that, the cost of a subscription? I would hate to think that my getting comments and my recognition rests upon me subscribing when I can't even afford to do so.

After much babbling, I leave you with this thought... If you are here to show your work, and you want to have people recognize your work. Please, even if it hurts you to do so, comment on their work. Save an image in your faves folder and thank them for the privilege creating such work. And even though we are in a bad economy, support each one of the artists' whom you admire their craft by purchasing something, anything, no matter how small... lift their spirits. Boost their ego... What goes around, comes around. If you don't do it, who will?

*steps down from the soapbox*

Thanks for reading.

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If love is the key....I am the door. I only ask that you don't abuse the key.

nicely said

Yes...
Though it doesn't hurt to have a lot of people even actually know you exist, now, does it? XD

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Don't bother asking 'why'. A better question is, 'okay, so what do I do about it?'

Better a few spankings now than the letter of the law later.

Give Christ's love without asking for return. It's worth every tear you could ever put into it.

I think you're quite right

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"I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life"
-David Thoreau

I will agree that commenting and favoriteing other's pieces help out a lot. I did it for a long while before I realized that (no offense to anyone online or here) that what matters most isn't the comments you get from online, it is what you get in real life that matters the most. I've completely removed myself from the internet in almost all ways. It can only bring so much... content or happiness to someone. Materials only bring so much happiness.

That was great. I don't even feel worthy now of submitting this

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There are some things that move me, and others that leave me completely and utterly baffled.

I am stunned time and time again by the variety of effects one statement can leave upon a person.

It is now my goal to promote good reactions with my words.

Yes! I'm not exactly sure what to say, but that is awesome and well-said.

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I love to
I don't know why I am
It's the crappy neopets.