Dashing Deviants #02 (July Feature Updated)

Jul 12, 201311 min read

Deviation Actions

Erladino

Published: Jul 12, 2013

2.8K Views

Dashing Deviants

Dashing Deviants #02 (July's feature updated)

Introduction: Welcome to the second inauguration of the Dashing Deviants. The first article has been updated, with name changes and other title updates. My sincerest apologies for submitting the article so late, but we were suffering from a few technical issues. We are in dire need of a graphical artist, who could upload deviations to sta.sh, and provide us with links to use them. Also, we are looking for people experts in CSS, to create a journal skin. Once again, we're in affiliation to #ProjectEducate.

Today's Artist:

=SimplySilent

1. When, and how did you find this community? What kind of an experience has it been?

I joined deviantART about a year and a half ago, when I met a friend who told me she had an account here. At the beginning, I didn't do all that much except for submitting my own art. However, once I started exploring more on dA and meeting inspiring deviants, I became a lot more involved and active in the community. Soon enough, I realized that dA was so much more than just a place to show my art, and I've come to find that being a part of this community has been one of the best things that I've ever experienced.

I began meeting more people when I started a group called #Rising-Artists, which focuses on supporting beginner and intermediate artists. From there, I started admining at more groups, including #feel-art, #DazzlingDecorations, and #CSS-Babes and paid more attention to all of the great events going on in the community. For example, I now enjoy participating in community weeks at #projecteducate, which is where any deviant can write an article to share their knowledge with the group and the rest of dA. I also enjoy hanging out at #dAWishingWell, trolling the admins, and granting wishes there sometimes. Recently, I've started a new project called dA Compliments, which is where any deviant can send in anonymous compliments to share with the community. It's amazing seeing how supportive and caring everyone is to one another, and it's just one more thing that shows how wonderful this community is.

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2. What are some of the obstacles you have faced, and other challenges that you overcame, and how?

I remember that the first time I joined deviantART, I was stunned by the overwhelming talent on the site. There were so many artworks that were incredibly beautiful, and I was rather intimidated by how skilled some of these deviants were. I suppose that has been the greatest obstacle I faced, overcoming the time when I started to doubt myself.

Looking back, however, seeing all of the wonderful artists here has been inspiring rather than discouraging. I bought a tablet and began digital art soon after I joined deviantART and saw what could be done with that medium. Ever since then, I have branched out into all kinds of digital art, including anime/manga, realistic portraits, photo manipulation, and pixel art.

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3. As a professional CSS journal GUI creator, what lights up the fireworks in you to continue your art?

Haha, I wouldn't exactly call myself a professional. I started coding a little more than half a year ago when I bought myself a premium membership and realized that I could make my own journal skins. I actually learned CSS from tinkering with other people's skins here on dA until I figured out how everything worked.

I love making skins on dA because I just enjoy being able to create resources that other people can use. My skins overall have probably gotten thousands of installs, and it feels great knowing that so many people out there are finding my work useful.

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4. If you were to be told to describe yourself in one word, what would it be, and why?

Awesome. Haha, just kidding.

Hmm, perhaps inquisitive? I enjoy trying new things, which can especially be seen in my art because my gallery is filled with lots of random pieces. XD I've always wondered if that was sort of a fault of mine because I usually don't stick to one type of art for very long. I like to jump around and try my hand at different styles instead of settling down and really pushing forward at one type of art.

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5. You are a passionate deviant, and a struggler, what is your advice as an inspiring role model?

I'm an inspiring role model? I suppose one piece of advice I have for everybody is to just do what you love. You don't have to be a skilled artist or an extremely active deviant in the community in order to inspire others. Just focus on what you love to do, whether that is creating art, joining community projects, featuring art, or running groups. Your passion and dedication is what will inspire others, regardless of what it is that you choose to do.

Group Feature deviantART Groups

Today's group feature goes to eCSSited. This group has done wonders in bringing together the community of deviantArt. Had it not been for them, you and I would never have learned CSS. Other groups that teach CSS, do exist, however I personally like this one very much. It's a user-friendly way of teaching how to use thumbnails, and how to edit, or create a skin with CSS. If you every have a problem, you can freely approach the staff, or 'fairies' and they'll be glad to help. The group is every growing, and even as we speak, new methods, chapters and CSS /enabled/ skins have already been set in motion.

Art Features; Dashing Deviants deviantART

Yep, it's what you've all been waiting for. The art features! All of these have been taken from my forum thread, which is only for premium members, to thumbshare. A huge round of applause for all of the deviants, and the deviations below. I really liked the Fan Art and Photography features for July's application. My dA forum thread can be reached here: forum.deviantart.com/premium/t…;

Fan Art (Wallpaper)