& [CR] Anthro Newsletter May 2009

Hello, Hello! ^Katmomma and ^savagebinn here with your Monthly report on the Anthro Community! Get ready because we have some new and some old business to take care of, and as always, some terrific features!
Last Month's Newsletter--> [link]

What is Community Relations?

<sub>I have received many questions regarding what ^savagebinn and I do, and I think it is important for all of us to be reminded what CR really is, and what our goals as a team are.

deviantART's Community Relations Team provides a unique collective effort that seeks to create and sustain collaborative relationships among deviants and to develop innovative opportunities within the global art industry. These relationships are meant to provide and encourage opportunities to foster creative genius. The CR Team acts as a window of information for the community on how to utilize deviantART in a way that will empower and enable themselves as respected and successful artists.
Our ultimate vision is a community of artists that come together unified and strengthened by sharing the belief that they hold the artistic power to create and shape their own success. In order to realize our vision, our mission must be to exceed the expectations of our community, whom we view as partners, and we will accomplish this by committing to our shared core values. Our core values are listed in FAQ #84: What are the Core Values of the Community Relations and Operations Departments? And Gallery Moderator’s responsibilities are listed here in FAQ #82: What are the guidelines for Volunteer Gallery Moderators?


A list of all Gallery Moderators and your best resource can be found in $Moonbeam13’s journal</sub>

Anthro News

Table of Contents:
1. Team Anthro
2. Current Contests
3. Community Projects
4. Anthro Forum and #IamAnthro
5. Daily Deviations, Eclectic Features & Suggester Feature.
6. Community Relations Pimpage

Team Anthro

As you may have heard, dA groups are on their way. Fortunately for this community, through the efforts of `cooley, Anthro has established a team of hard working individuals that dedicate their time to making our community projects run like well oiled machines. Team Anthro is comprised of your Gallery Moderators, Senoir Staff, Community Leaders, and Current Staff.

Current Anthro Gallery Moderators -
^savagebinn & ^Katmomma


Former Anthro GMs -
`skifi , `cooley & `neoikeia


AnthroChallenge Staff / Community Leaders -
=Pixel-Spotlight, *Kellisanth, =invisibledecoy, =Kizamaji, *Hrontore


#IamAnthro Moderators -
~Gradendine, =lost-angle, ~PlanksAndSticks, ~Silverfang-SteelWolf


AnthroChallenge Judges -
~SargeantSweety, =lost-angle, =FFRedXIII, =The-Max-Factor, ~ju-li3n, =portheiusJ, =Sepiaa, *PlainYellowFox, ~Thumpity, =arionic, =VenusInTheFurs, *krhainos, ~OdinWolf, =FrostyPuppy , ^PurpelBlur


Thank you all for being such a huge help to this community
There are currently Moderator Staff Positions Open--> [link] Click here to apply.

Current Contests

The Anthro Collaboration contest is well under way! Nursery Rhymes and Fables is our theme! You can see all the rules / guidelines for this contest at the Stage 2 Article --> [link]
Due to the lack of entries and the ending of the school semester, the DEADLINE for this contest has been Extended to June 14th, 2009 midnight PST.

Community Projects

Anthro Ninja's vs Pirates Treasure Feature Challenge!

Check out the Article linked above and see how you can get in on the action! This is a Project dedicated to getting hidden gems in the Anthro Gallery Exposed, and also introduce the community to new Artists Remember to be watching BOTH ^Katmomma and ^savagebinn’s journals for summoning you to go out and explore the gallery, and bring back 3 amazing pieces to share! Almost like a mini DD feature!
Pirate Feature 1 --> [link]
Ninja Feature 1 --> [link]



*anthrochallenge Week 57 Winners!
Theme: "History"

"Some kind of Tea party" by =Kiriska

Runner Ups:

This Week's Theme:
"Sunshine"
About Prizes: The 2 winners of Each month will be given their 3 month subscription at the end of the month. Thank you

Anthro Forum

The Anthro Forum has been in need of an overhaul for quite a while now, so after much discussion between the team, we've updates our guidelines: [link]

Pretty much, we're just asking that you keep topics art related and leave ranting or certain cultural related topics to journals. Let's all work together to keep our forum an artistic and respectable one.

Thumbsshare!
Here’s some real eye-popping work submitted art to the Thumbsshare thread of the Forum!


Threads to Always Keep an Eye on!
Anthro Forum Guidelines/Rules Read them before posting on the anthro forum. They will give you guidance!
Anthro Forum THUMBSSHARE This is where the party happens! You can post once a week up to 5 thumbs! And in addition, I'll be featuring some of those thumbs right here in this article!
The Official Anthro Job Offers Thread Thanks to you guys and your great feedback, we now hove a specific thread for all of those Requests, Trades, or commissions you are itching to advertise Just make sure you label your post with "JOB OFFER" at the top, and fire away!

#IamAnthro

We have a new privclass system that is up and running smoothly Show your support and welcome newbies to the community using the community’s Official Chatroom!
Do you have ideas for the next #IamAnthro Chat event? Be it an Interview, a scavenger hunt, or a brand new project? Send ^Katmomma a note and let her know!

RP still Under Construction
If you haven't heard already, we have a new room up for our RP! It is still under construction, and we are still working on a bot, but you can come check it out, get familiar, and hang out in our awesome new 24/7 RP room, #OfficialAnthroRP.

Currently you may RP at any time you'd like; It's free RP for now. But once we get the bot and leveling system set up, things will be more structured and organized.

Remember to DevWatch =AnthroRP for future Updates! It's imperative that you watch this account if you plan on participating!

Daily Deviations, and Suggested Feature

Everything you need to know about sending ^savagebinn or ^Katmomma a DD suggestion is right here in The Ultimate Anthro Daily Deviation Guide.
Please read this before sending suggestions, and be aware of our guidelines. The more aware you are, the more likely your suggestion will be featured as a Daily Deviation.
The biggest issue we still have is people sending us suggestions that are NOT Anthro. Please take the time to educate yourself about the boundaries and gray areas by reviewing the “What Is Anthro?” article listed in our DD Guidelines and here once again.
What is Anthro? V3 (Updated with Examples)

Katmomma’s Eclectic Features

If you haven't already noticed, I have occasionally featured a DD or two that wasn't necessarily Anthro, or does not clearly represent the distinction between Anthro or just an Animal done in a "Disney-esque" style- or in some way personifies an animal with human facial expression. I like to call these "Eclectic DDs". But here's the reality: These types of works, believe it or not, are technically related to anthro.

Although they are more animal-like physically, they express human thoughts, emotions and behavior with their faces or the things they may say. For instance, Walt Disney's "Bambi" may have been a deer in a forest- but do deer really talk? Do they have emotions like we do, and make facial expressions like we do? Maybe not all the way. So the very presence of human characteristics in an animal be it cartoon or not is technically a form of Cross-Referencing, thus a form of Anthro.
Now you all know there isn't a specific staff member who can feature this type of art alone- because these works are found all over the place. But if you find a piece that you believe deserves a feature, that may be in this "gray" area, feel free to share it with me. Of course, I will have to talk to the GM of the gallery the piece is found in- and you might want to suggest it to them first. I will always feature anthro, but if it is okay with you guys, I will post a weekly Double DD Feature with an eclectic DD alongside an anthro piece.
I will ask though- that if you suggest a piece for an "Eclectic" DD, Please send me an Anthro DD suggestion too. You can put more than one suggestion in a note


Suggestor’s Feature
Feature for some the wonderful suggestions we receive from the community These suggestions are correctly placed in the Anthro Gallery. We have received so many, we picked out our finest from the bunch! Thanks so much for all of your support! Keep the suggestions coming!
Suggested by ~Catastrofeh
Suggested by =00alisa00 - “This wonderful piece has caught my attention for the perfect position of the three singers and the vibrant colors of their clothes,
but most of all I was totally amazed from the two other musicians in the background ;D
A beautiful work that deserves all the attention!And don't forget to check out the other works in the gallery of this great artist, they really worth of!”
Suggested by =Eggplantm - “The sheer amount of detail and effort in this piece is simply amazing. This is the kind of project that many artists look at and decide it would be just too much work. Yet, here it is, the zebra is striped, the car is striped and even the background is well detailed. All done with crisp lines and smooth shading. The sheer amount of work in the coloring here can almost make you lose sight of the fact that the art is really good by itself.”
Suggested by =GearOtter - “There is something striking about this image, something that draws the viewer into this artist's imagination, from the ethereal light surrounding the character to the subtle details in the face and overall design. It is as though the image lends itself to a story that toys with the viewer's imagination.”
Suggested by =Avalik
suggested by *silentpilgrim- "I think the composition here is pretty well done. The main character is full os details and the expression is so captivating."

suggested by *MoonsongWolf- "I saw this piece and just fell in love! Generally, I prefer "top to bottom" backgrounds, but, in this case, I like the inclusion of the circle instead. I think it emphasizes the concept of "wholeness." The composition, the detail in the clothing, and the vivid colours are all quite inviting. It's also nice to see a political motif in the anthro category (whether the viewer agrees with it or not)."

suggested by *grumperpants- "Normally, I'm not one for anthros, but this piece is amazing. It's put into the mixed media category, but features a gorgeous anthro. The combination of the warm and cool colors, crystal, and high cathedral walls really adds to the atmosphere. You can't help but be left deep in thought.
To top it all off, it was done traditionally with prismacolor colored pencils and watercolors."

suggested by ~Traxer- "I just came across this artist a few days ago and I've been drawn in by his playfully infectious style. In particular this fun action shot, something with quality tooniness and a good dash of quirkiness. Has that flailing action foundation to it."

suggested by =Almalphia "Reflections of Memories by ~swandog Is an incredibly detailed picture done in pencil for ~twitchdoberman. Lovely piece of work that is a memorial picture of her 3 beloved pets with her anthro character. Eerily stunning."

Most Interesting Anthro(s) of the Month
Featuring pieces we've found that are especially unique and interesting from the Anthro gallery.


- I just adore this piece, it's so full of personality and charm! You don't see many moose anthros around!

- The design of these lovely sheep ladies is really believable! Makes me want to jump in and start dancing with them!


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Community Relations Pimp Time!

Contests

Fella's Pride Contest! - June 8 - July 8
April Showers, May Flowers - May 31st
Butt Out Film and Animation Contest - May 31st
Death in Spring - June 13th
Comicslist Stamp Contest - June 15th
Extreme Expressions Contest - June 17th
Addictive Lust - June 30th
Daqueran #2 Fanart Contest - June 30th
Fractals and the Outside World - July 6th
Resources Print Challenge - July 15
PhotoJournalism Contest: LIFE - Aug 31
Keith's Super Awesome Photography Battle - Sep 01st


Article Series

TradSavvy IV: Rubius on Biro
Artistic Nudes - Fleshy Features #6
designers'Block : Edition 28

Fun!


Relay for Life
Digital artists and stock: do you play nice?
Global Tutorials Project [updates + awesomeness]
Critique Requested for Artistic Nude Deviations
"Deviance" Issue-2 is here!
Battledress and Doomsday-Dawn in Heavy Metal!
Giving DD's is Tough - Part I
Giving DD's is Tough - Part II
Giving DD's is Touch - Part III
Awareness for Hungtington's Disease
Shoot organisation plus being an awesome person
Being a model photographers want to work with

Closing

We hope you enjoy our article here, and hopefully we have made some great progress in getting the educational info out there Remember, if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to give us a holler.

Your Gallery Moderators for Anthro,
^Katmomma & ^savagebinn