...Some of you may be wondering why someone who have joined DeviantArt for almost a year have not a written a single journal entry until now.

Well, I've been busy with life (in general and in the world of design at my tertiary institution) and most importantly, have been looking at thousands of various artworks here and there. This may seem rather boring however, there is still one problem that I notice when it comes to producing an artwork that promises publicity. I have friends who are sharing the same problem and so far, no one has taken any courage to step and say what they TRULY feel when they have stepped into the bigger world of art & design.

As a long and unpublicised artist of DeviantArt, I have been looking at how the community here approaches one another's artwork. I have found one silent issue that may well be worthy to read by those who are new to DeviantArt - that there is such thing as a mild, indirect intimidation.

You may wonder why I am writing this as a cross between a personal entry and an opinionative composition. It is simply because that I not only worry about my own progress but also very concerned with those who are new to deviantArt and those in general who find it difficult to make their stay BOTH as enjoyable and educational.

*NOTE* - However, it is perfectly fine for those who have worked moderately hard and get high publicity to stop reading this journal entry, as I greatly apologize if I am offending anyone who are already satisfied with their stay here.

-----

I am trying to keep it as simple as possible. From what I see, an indirect intimidation comes in various ways. Of all, I've been focusing on the common stereotypes indirectly portrayed here in deviantArt. We are all getting more and more (and sometimes up to the extreme) familiar with seeing artworks that deserves great publicity and awards. These artworks are known to be better than a high certain percentages of the total community. In this case, the words and phrases such as "Unique", "some-of-the-best-seen", "more-than-competent", "gifted" - will spring up to mind among those who are new. Almost 75% of the time they would see/hear these words (along with the artworks that deserve them)over and over again.

For some (and in some cases most), it is a positive encouragement - "this is why you should do similar competency or better". They would then consistently learn with this in mind that they are strong and eventually have more chances to succeed in creating artworks that deserves publicity. I find this just fine and in fact it is great to know someone who are consistent in reaching their goals and able to achieve them with hardwork no doubt.

...However, what I am worried about others are that even though it is a positive encouragement (not that there is anything critically wrong with it) - others would feel lightly intimidated. There are millions of artworks out there that amaze and encourage us to gain inspiration out of them. However, for some (especially those who are deeply passionate and new to art but are less competent), this may not be the case. Overtime as they submit more artworks, at some point they would feel to realize the gap between the good, competent artworks and those who are less competent. Therefore, some would eventually realize the loss of effort they have spent - only knowing that it is not competent enough to reach even only a small fraction of those who are more competent.

Thus, those who feel submissive would not find their stay here in DeviantArt as enjoyable & as intriguing as we all like it to be. However, in all this, I find myself along with a lot of struggling & unpublicised/underrated artistout there have spent almost indefenite months or even years of going through embarrasing & difficult processes - all just trying to receive comments. I have made many detailed constructive comments (not using the word cristiscm to those who are sensitive) - each comes in anywhere between 5 to 10 lines long describing what is good and what MAY (sorry - can't use the word 'not' for those who are sensitive) need to be adjusted in order for it look acceptable from general viewers. I have done this for at least 20 artists, and so far only ONE actually appreciate the fact that sincere comments are 'rare species' in DeviantArt.

During the long idle, I've looked at other similar online art communities and in truth - they unfortunately do not have the same scope & flexibility as in Deviantart - and there are some, which are thoroughly suited only to the highest of profession. Thus, I am among many are only acceptable in a much suppressed, minor groups.

In truth, I am not trying to offend anyone nor I am promoting any negativities against deviantArt. I am not expecting any actions to be taken after anyone have read this entry. I am only trying to promote sympathy to those who are less fortunate as I am. There's a passage in the deviantArt's help desk under the question "What is deviantArt?". And the answer is - "it is an artistic way of expressing yourself to the world". I am simply just worried that this is still quite an open statement - that there are potential social issues that are easily ignored. In my opinion, it is entirely up to you how you view yourselves as an artist - as long as you do not forget the potential issues that come around it.

Again, I am very sorry... if I took too much of your time. I personally believe that becoming a good artist is NOT BY SKILL, but through time. Skill is only what I see as single mark of pen or a finished product - time is what I feel as a process. DeviantArt is afterall, a phenomenal community - where diversity challenges adversity.