Though I have not personally had to deal with negativity on my DD choices, the density of which rivals the enormity of a full grown elephant, I have decided since many of my fellow Moderators have had said misfortune that I would preemptively say something about it.

The art community abroad is an open and free community. It's always growing and changing, becoming something new everyday. The art world is a grayscale world, some parts more black, some more white, but all in all everything mixes pretty well together. I'm not saying it's a perfect world. Sometimes the black extreme doesn't like what the white's got to offer. Sometimes those in the gray can't stand either extreme. This is all fine and dandy. It's actually imperative that everyone not agree on every thing imaginable. If everyone agreed all the time, there would be no change in the world. It's this change that art is made of!

Yes, it's ok to disagree. It's a wonderful thing to be able to say that you don't agree. It's how you demonstrate your feelings that can greatly affect others attitude towards art. Extreme negativity shouldn't be part of the nature of this community. If you're here to be an artist, you know how it feels when some one says, "This sucks. It's not art." Imagine how other people feel when you put them down like this.

I understand that the real world is full of this kind of thing. I'm not trying to shelter anyone from it. Artists should know not to take this kind of thing personally.However, what I'm saying is that this kind of attitude shouldn't be coming from other artists. I may not like a huge blank canvas with a single black dot in the middle, but that doesn't mean I don't respect its place in the art world. Art comes in many forms, has many ideas and reasons for creation, and spans across every way of life. Who are you to say what is or isn't art? Furthermore, who are you to tell me what I consider to be a fantastic piece is rubbish or not worth my praise? You have every right to disagree with me, however, I don't take it kindly when you express it in such a way that insults not only me, but the artist who spent their time and put a piece of themselves out for the world to see.

Now, this is where my part on DA comes in, and I'd like to express that these are my views and don't directly represent those of of DeviantArt itself. The site is called Deviant Art. Two words that when together couldn't be any more complex. I mean, art itself is incredibly vast and fathomless topic in itself. But look at deviant. What is normal in such a large context that deviant, something outside of normal, can be explained? As far as normal art sites or personal galleries go, they host something specific. One site might feature sci-fi art or fantasy, some places might feature just literature. DA is beyond that. DA hosts pretty much every type of art, tools to make art, sub communities to help learn more about art, etc. Deviant Art is rising to the top as an epitome of what art really is, in my opinion. Everything has it's own place on DA and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Every gallery has its own public advocate, the gallery moderators, and every gallery has it's own reason for being featured and expressed. Look at a gallery like the Stock and Resources gallery. What would art be with out the tools and knowledge to make it? There are tons of awesome images, photoshop brushes, tutorials, and textures in there that beg to get some recognition. And they deserve it. They are as much a part of the art world as the pieces they were used in. As long as it exists on DA, it has its own reason to be featured. You're allowed to disagree with that, but, you don't need to be totally offensive and dramatic about it. However, if you just intend to troll the masses, I invite everyone else to ignore you. No fuel, no flames. And hey, there are other places for that kind of behavior. Take 4chan for instance. Great trolling potential there and a great many lulz to be had. But seriously, don't bring that to my second home.

I know it gets said a fair amount, however, if you happen to honestly disagree with my choices, I hope you would do me the favor of suggesting one or two of your own, and if you have to complain, come note me about it. The artist doesn't need that kind of flack. Remember, it's not the artist asking for a feature. And congratulating the artist on a feature doesn't mean you agree with it, but it is a show of good sportsmanship. I'm only human and I am trying my best to represent the gallery and community I love. While I will not shelter any of the artists I feature from opposing opinions, negativity will be checked at the door and held until you leave.

Happy fractaling!
Travii
Fractal Art GM