Hello and Welcome to the Community Projects Newsletter. Thank you all for making me feel so welcomed and part of this big dA world.


Well this needed a little color...I don't normally do this but here are a few of my photographs! I will be featuring "Faith" and "Love" winners here next time The contests are still going.


As promised in our last newsletter, I have once again interviewed two very active members of our Deviant Community. Last months interviews were well received and enjoyed by many. If you have someone you think should be interviewed, please let me know.

What a month! We had a great birthday party. [link] The whole community seemed to rally behind this event. There were so many prizes and people laughing and I got to know the AR crew much better.

They unleashed more deviant art with a great contest right now that only lasts a week!! Draw a Tee people!!

dA Love day was a huge success and I hope to be doing more community outreach soon. I was excited to see so many go out into thier community to help. A huge thank you to :devkaremelencholia: for her involvement with and this great love day celebration!

The AR crew is rocking!! We have so many contests. Mine is FAITH and we have a few more days for you to get your deviations in. Please refer to this link [link] for more information.

More contests and fun listed after the interviews.

I would like to introduce you to =ThomFaust .


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shell: Greetings and thank you for agreeing to this interview.

shell: Do you remember art being a big part of your childhood?
ThomFaust: Somewhat. I remember when I was younger I always wanted to grow up and be a national geographic photographer. That, in part kept me interested in photography. My brothers photography was also a pretty big inspiration. Had he not done any work years ahead of me (or found deviantArt for me, for that matter ) I might not be here. Besides all that, the artroom was a refuge of sorts during a certain point in my life. Even though drawing never seemed to work for me, I always enjoyed doing it. It was a way of keeping my mind off other things that were going on at the time

shell: Who was your inspiration as you played with your finger-paints?
ThomFaust: Who was your inspiration as you played with your fingerpaints?
Surprisingly enough, I don't think I ever finger painted. I don't think I was ever conscious of well known artists until my mid teens. Like I said already, my brother has always been a huge inspiration for me, I think like any younger brother, I always wanted to be like him.

shell: Were you supported by others to create?
ThomFaust: Were you supported by others to create?
Yes, again, my brother was definitely my biggest supporter. After he stopped being an older brother and picking on me, he basically taught me everything about photography I couldn't teach myself. My parents were also pretty supportive (hell, they're letting me go to art school!). As long as I can remember they've had stuff that I worked on as a kid hanging framed on the walls. Even now, we have one of my first "works of art" on the wall of the living room: A very poorly drawn calico cat

shell: Did you continue to create in school?
ThomFaust: I went over it a little before, but I think all my schools have always been very supportive of the arts. whether it was old construction paper dinosaurs, or oil paintings on canvas, my area definitely pushed kids. Surprisingly though, I didn't start working in a darkroom until late junior year of highschool.

shell: What medium did you use as a child?
ThomFaust: Macaroni. * this answer!

shell: Was your first computer mainly for art? Explain.
ThomFaust: definately not. It was a family computer. Even now, my computer is basically for signing onto dA and what not. I'm a traditionalist with my art. almost all analog.

shell: What is Art to you?
ThomFaust: Hah. That really is the big question. To me though? Art is something that moves me in some way. If I look at a photograph, and it just makes me say, "wow.", That means something.

shell: What are your aspirations regarding your art?
ThomFaust: Originally, I intended to get into Photojournalism. I was heavily inspired by James Nachtwey, and he's definitely the reason that I'm at school for photo. Right now though? I'm leaning towards being a gallery artist.

shell: What is your favorite medium?
ThomFaust: Hmm. Photography.
I love photography because it has brought me out of my shell the most, but traditional media are close to my heart. I love graphite, I love drawing...and by extension, I have come to love tattooing and the processes involved in that. Tattooing combines my academic and artistic interests in a living canvas.
So those are my obsessions lately, I guess. I think that's the best I can do!

shell: If you could, you would?
ThomFaust: National Geographic Photographer. In a heartbeat. (Oh Thom do I have a link for you!!)*

shell: You are a huge supporter and encourager on dA. Have you always been this way?
ThomFaust: You are a huge supporter and encourager on dA. Have you always been this way?
Not so much. I don't think intended to become so involved here when I started out. then again, I'm not sure I intended to become so involved in photo. I guess I can thank dA for that.

shell: How did you find dA?
ThomFaust: My brother

shell: Did you use other outlets for your art?
ThomFaust: This and school.

shell: Why dA?
Thomfaust:Well, to be honest, I'm a little disappointed with how things have been going. But why I do I stay here? the community. The people here are really fantastic.

shell: What would you like to see here at dA?
ThomFaust: hard to say off hand. (Well at least tell us what has disappointed you)

* He responded!!

Thomfaust:Well, to be honest, I'm a little disappointed with how things have been going. I think certain aspects of the site could be improved, and certain things removed, to help speed things up for everyone. I don't want to rehash the old fight over the submission agreement, but that still is a bit of a problem sitting in the back of my mind. What really bugs me, though, is the way that certain staff members have responded to their positions (and I don't mean just GDs). I'm really here for the community though, which is why the administration bothers me. We've always been told to treat other members with respect, and for the most part, people do. I try to be as helpful to members of dA whenever I can, because I just see that as the right thing to do. But even though we're told to act with respect, I see a few of the staff members taking advantage of not having to answer to anyone. I just feel that it's really not appropriate, even when dealing with a matter of blatant disrespect. The admins are supposed to be there to set an example. Most of the deviants here are far beyond being kids. I'm sure no one wants to deal with a "Do what I say, not what I do" way of running things.
Thanks for your candor my friend. I want to represent it all here!

shell: What is your favorite part of dA?
ThomFaust: dAmn. no question about that

shell: Do you tell offline friends about dA?
ThomFaust: Some what. But to a certain extent, I keep dA within my dA circle of friends

shell: If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?
ThomFaust: Again, hard to say off hand... but I guess I'd want people to know about the community, about how friendly people really are here (sure, there are some jerks, but let's be serious, most of the people are great )
I'm really trying as much as possible now, to start getting shows. I know I'm only going to be a sophomore in college, but I figure, the sooner the better. What I'm really worried about, though is that my work won't be taken well. I've been hearing more and more that large prints are "In." I do tiny prints, no larger than 6x6cm on 8x10 sheets, and the majority of my recent work has been minimalistic. Not sure that will go over well, but hey, I'm only going to do what I believe in. I think lying to yourself and creating a certain type of art because thats what other people want to see, I think thats the worst thing anyone can do. If you're going to create art, only do what you love.


Thank you—it has been my pleasure Thom and I thank you for letting us all get to know you better!

*my added words


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I would like to introduce you to *AshleyXBrooke87

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shell: Greetings and thank you for agreeing to this interview.

shell: Do you remember art being a big part of your childhood?
AshleyxBrooke87: I wasn't really into the art scene until high school but I remember when i was younger i would almost always have a disposable camera on me at all our field trips and I think that’s how i began to get into photography

shell: Who was your inspiration as you played with your finger-paints?
AshleyxBrooke87: I didn't have much inspiration. I basically just did what i wanted..

shell: Were you supported by others to create?
AshleyxBrooke87: Yes. My dad is also a photographer so he would help me a lot and I would ask him for tips. And of course he's the one who provided me with my art makers aka my cameras

shell: Did you continue to create in school?
AshleyxBrooke87: Not really. Like i said i didn't really get into it until high school and even then i would still only work on it outside of school besides photography classes.

shell: What medium did you use as a child?
AshleyxBrooke87: Photography

shell: Was your first computer mainly for art? Explain.
AshleyxBrooke87: Yes. I used it to store all my photos on it and to work on them. But it wasn't just for art.

shell: What is Art to you?
AshleyxBrooke87: Art is being able to touch someone in a way that others cant. Like with photography i think it is being able to talk to the viewer and having them understand what is going on in your mind through the photo.

shell: What are your aspirations regarding your art?
AshleyxBrooke87: I would really like to become a photographer. Obviously But more along the lines of in advertising.

shell: What is your favorite medium?
AshleyxBrooke87: photography

shell: If you could, you would?
AshleyxBrooke87: *hmm

shell: You are a huge supporter and encourager on dA. Have you always been this way?
AshleyxBrooke87: Actually no. Well I basically signed up for DA for fun. I didn't really plan on getting serious with it and it was just a place to share my art. But now I'm addicted. I've been here for about 3 years and I've met so many wonderful people and gotten to see so much great art and I think DA is doing a great job at keeping us able to continue this.

shell: How did you find dA?
AshleyxBrooke87: My dad actually was on it for a bit and linked me it. He said it would be a nice way to get my art noticed.

shell: Did you use other outlets for your art?
AshleyxBrooke87: nope

shell: Why dA?
:Ashleyxbrooke87: Well, I've stuck with this site because I've made a lot of friend on it and its just easy to maintain and browse through art..

shell: What would you like to see here at dA?
AshleyxBrooke87: More photography I'd love for us to be able to have the random deviant button to be able to go to an art of our choice. for example photography or artisan crafts.

shell: What is your favorite part of dA?
AshleyxBrooke87: The people. Defiantly the people. and that means the chats. Without them I wouldn't have met the half of them


shell: Do you tell offline friends about dA?
AshleyxBrooke87: I've told a few but none joined

shell: If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?
AshleyxBrooke87: That it is an amazing and friendly place to share your artwork with the world.

I've been on DA for about 3 years and have to admit I'm addicted. My main addiction is running the Club. That seems to take up most of my time when I’m on DA. Its a game based in a chatroom and the main goal of it is you are given a topic and you have 20 mins to go shoot and it clean it up a bit and then post it in the chat to be judged. That’s pretty much it for happenings for me. You can usually find me in any of the photography chats on Damn as well



shell:Thank you so much Ashley!!

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Now who would you like to get to know better here on dA? This is our community, lets get to know one another!!

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These matters are close to my heart as are the women who are campaigning for our help!
1. Moonbeam13's Walk for Breast Cancer & Oibyrd's help
2. Opioid's Cause for Lyme disease Awareness.
3. shell's and Mom-the-bomb's Awareness for Fibromyalgia [link]

Thank you.

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Above all we can show our support to deviants who need a hand, kind words, support, and not only deviants but people around us in our family, relatives, neighbors.

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Daily Deviations are an honor of DeviantART
Send your suggestions.
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Do not suggest yourself ! it will be ignored.
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Please if you disagree with a DD I have given please contact me ^shell4art and do not leave any rude comments on the artists page or the deviation. It is not their fault they received the DD it was my choice.
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Thank you very much!
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Clubs that I belong to

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Daily Deviation 6/28/7
My first suggested DD before becoming a Gallery Director.
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Feel free to use my stamp in support!!


Contests:[link] Get involved! Have some fun!

More coming soon. I hope you enjoyed the interviews!