So, I was looking at my stats this morning, and to my surprise I realized that I had just reached 10,000 watchers. With my 5 year dA anniversary coming up in just a few weeks, I feel quite overwhelmed and just so so thankful.
I joined dA back when I was 14, just starting high school, and had very little artistic direction...in a way, I have sort of 'grown up' on dA (artistically at least). There is so much this community has given me over the past 5 years...and I just have to write about how grateful I am for a place like this. I didn't know how best to show my gratitude, but I decided that a picture to show my improvement accompanied by a few paragraphs to write my thanks might attempt to get my message across.
Forever ago, when I first joined dA, I drew this:![]()
It looks a little silly now, but back then that deviation was my 'break'. It got over 50 favorites, and I was simply dazed that many people would like my art. It was from that moment that I really began to try harder, learn more, and take my art more seriously. And so, here is a redraw of that picture from forever ago ![:)]( ":) (Smile)")
I seriously hope you guys can see the improvement XD
And now I would just like to thank some people that have helped, and inspired me in more ways than they probably even know XD These people deserve all of my thanks and recognition...and many of them probably barely know me or will not be looking at this XD Many of them are very busy, 'famous' deviantARTists who have contributed throughout the community. Others are great artists who I have come to consider friends on this site. So without further ado, in no particular order, let me thank some fellow artists:
![:iconamuronova:]( "AmuroNOVA")
She is a fantastic artist who I have come to respect over the years ![:)]( ":) (Smile)")
we have done art trades, gift exchanges, and have been watching each other since back when I first joined dA. She is an amazing person, and artist.
![:iconnine-tailed-fox:]( "Nine-Tailed-Fox")
is an amazing artist and fellow deviant who I have been watching since I first joined this site. I did my first art trade with her FOREVER ago XD
![:iconbr3ath3:]( "BR3ATH3")
was the first person to ever commission on this site. It was the most incredible feeling to have someone want to pay for my art (even if I was only getting a few dollars in return). Thank you ![:)]( ":) (Smile)")
You gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my commission business.
![:icon7irz:]( "7irz")
A big thank you to this person! Without you I would not have received my first DD. Thank you for feeling that my art was special enough to suggest for a feature.
![:iconmoonbeam13:]( "Moonbeam13")
And of course, a huge thank you to moonbeam for featuring my first DD. The love and support you give to this community is inspiring!
![:iconprincepal:]( "princepal")
A big thank you to princepal for featuring my second DD. It is very encouraging to get two of these amazing features...it is very reassuring as an artist ![:)]( ":) (Smile)")
![:iconexileden:]( "Exileden")
A HUGE thank you to this wonderful deviantARTist...she has always been one of my biggest inspirations and motivators for improving my work. Perhaps the biggest reason I would like to give her thanks is that she is one of the reasons I feel so inspired to travel. Her encouraging journals about her journeys are always so inspiring and motivating ![:D]( ":D (Big Grin)")
![:iconblackbutterfly006:]( "blackbutterfly006")
A big thank you to this wonderful artist! I've only been watching her for a few months, but she is always very encouraging and supportive...not to mention her tribal designs are rockin' ![:)]( ":) (Smile)")
![:iconmelodyofthewolf:]( "MelodyoftheWolf")
Thank you for all of the uplifting comments and for being a wonderful person ![:D]( ":D (Big Grin)")
Thank you for commissioning me, and trading with me!
![:iconkickthegrunty:]( "kickthegrunty")
Thank you for the multiple commissions and for visiting me at my first Artist Alley!
![:iconkankakanka:]( "kankakanka")
![:iconlyanti:]( "Lyanti")
![:iconkhaosdog:]( "khaosdog")
![:iconwildspiritwolf:]( "WildSpiritWolf")
![:iconalectorfencer:]( "AlectorFencer")
Thank you all for being such big inspirations to a small 14 year old artist ![:D]( ":D (Big Grin)")
There are so many more people to thank! So many more people I consider friends....I could go on and on listing people.
Just THANK YOU!![:heart:]( "Heart")
Thank you all so so much! ![:love:]( "Love")
![thumbnail]()
I joined dA back when I was 14, just starting high school, and had very little artistic direction...in a way, I have sort of 'grown up' on dA (artistically at least). There is so much this community has given me over the past 5 years...and I just have to write about how grateful I am for a place like this. I didn't know how best to show my gratitude, but I decided that a picture to show my improvement accompanied by a few paragraphs to write my thanks might attempt to get my message across.
Forever ago, when I first joined dA, I drew this:
It looks a little silly now, but back then that deviation was my 'break'. It got over 50 favorites, and I was simply dazed that many people would like my art. It was from that moment that I really began to try harder, learn more, and take my art more seriously. And so, here is a redraw of that picture from forever ago 
I seriously hope you guys can see the improvement XDAnd now I would just like to thank some people that have helped, and inspired me in more ways than they probably even know XD These people deserve all of my thanks and recognition...and many of them probably barely know me or will not be looking at this XD Many of them are very busy, 'famous' deviantARTists who have contributed throughout the community. Others are great artists who I have come to consider friends on this site. So without further ado, in no particular order, let me thank some fellow artists:
She is a fantastic artist who I have come to respect over the years we have done art trades, gift exchanges, and have been watching each other since back when I first joined dA. She is an amazing person, and artist.
is an amazing artist and fellow deviant who I have been watching since I first joined this site. I did my first art trade with her FOREVER ago XD 
was the first person to ever commission on this site. It was the most incredible feeling to have someone want to pay for my art (even if I was only getting a few dollars in return). Thank you You gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my commission business. 
A big thank you to this person! Without you I would not have received my first DD. Thank you for feeling that my art was special enough to suggest for a feature.
And of course, a huge thank you to moonbeam for featuring my first DD. The love and support you give to this community is inspiring!
A big thank you to princepal for featuring my second DD. It is very encouraging to get two of these amazing features...it is very reassuring as an artist 
A HUGE thank you to this wonderful deviantARTist...she has always been one of my biggest inspirations and motivators for improving my work. Perhaps the biggest reason I would like to give her thanks is that she is one of the reasons I feel so inspired to travel. Her encouraging journals about her journeys are always so inspiring and motivating 
A big thank you to this wonderful artist! I've only been watching her for a few months, but she is always very encouraging and supportive...not to mention her tribal designs are rockin' 
Thank you for all of the uplifting comments and for being a wonderful person Thank you for commissioning me, and trading with me!
Thank you for the multiple commissions and for visiting me at my first Artist Alley! 
Thank you all for being such big inspirations to a small 14 year old artist There are so many more people to thank! So many more people I consider friends....I could go on and on listing people.
Just THANK YOU!
Thank you all so so much! 
