Dang. I really wish I had more time to spend on Deviant Art. I'm periodically CHECKING it at work...but I don't comment or anything because I have to be discreet about it. Otherwise, I'd comment on all the art I find cool, reply to any comments that people have written, and to the notes in my inbox in a timely manner, and vote in all the contests I want to vote in. I'm almost like a lurker except I post art.

Some people send thank-you notes for faves. Instead of a note, I like to return the favor by going through people's galleries and comment on the things I like. I find it more personal than "Thanks for the fav!" But I just don't have the time...so I end up not thanking anyone at all, which is a shame, because I am TRULY 100% THANKFUL, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. A +fav or +watch or even just a comment totally makes my day and I appreciate it more than you know, even though I often don't have the time or energy to show it. As a fairly *new* artist here...I feel kind of tentative about showing my work. I'm a big chicken, really.

I'm becoming more comfortable with showing my stuff in public, leaving it open to critique, and taking the criticism in stride. I'm also finding other artists to "compete" with. Basically...I want to raise the bar for myself more and more and more. I know good art when I see it...and I want to do that.

I've only used DA for a few months...and already I feel like I've grown a lot. I've experimented with a ton of styles that I was too lazy to try before and learned a lot just by looking at other artists' work.

I hope to grow more.