Ever since I heard the concept of Pride, I was told "Why should you be proud of something you just are?". And for so long, I bought it.
Living your life and being who you are, without fear, without guilt, it's something most people take for granted. It's the most automatic and simple thing to them. And for that people, the concept of pride can indeed sound silly.
And you know what? It is kind of silly. It can be silly to feel pround for being exactly the same as everyone around you. Wrong per se? Not exactly. It's just that if everybody is blue, it is kind of pointless to feel so proud of being blue.
The concept of "Pride" has changed for me over the years, and today, for me, feeling proud means having the freedom to be who I am and don't be afraid of not being blue. Something that I'm still working on.
Most people don't think twice about something as simple as walking in the street, going to the bathroom or holding hands with their partner in public. But to some people, that could potentially get them in trouble, getting beaten up, persecuted, incarcerated... or worse. To some people, simply existing and being themselves is dangerous! Sounds exaggerated, or an extreme example to make a point, but it's the reality to some.
Ever since forever we've been told that we shouldn't be ourselves, that we can make people uncomfortable, that "we shouldn't do it in front of the kids", that what we are and what we do is a sin and we're going to hell, and that in the best case, we're to be tolerated. "Alright, It's ok if you're red, just don't be too red, and specially don't be red in public". "Oh and feeling proud? That's silly!"
For many years I believed that. It's like I'm surrounded by people who are blue, but I'm not blue, and I'm told it's not only silly to feel proud of that, but it's wrong.
And that is exactly the reason why I say today "Should I feel proud of being me?" - YES!
Because for so long I've been told I shouldn't.
But guess what? There is nothing wrong in being different, and in any case, you should be able to be and feel exactly the same as everybody else, to have the same freedom, to feel proud of who you are, to be proud of being red in a sea of blue.
Happy Pride Month everybody!
In fact, I'm very, very old, it seems
Well, what do you know! I'm back at being a senior! I can't believe it has been almost 5 years! I came back to the volunteer team back in 2018 and with the pandemic in between it feels like 37 years
During all these years we had a lot of fun! We launched contests, activities, scavenger hunts, art features, interviews, we searched for elves and hunted for easter eggs... it was a blast! I'm leaving with a lot of fond memories.
Some of my favorite activities we did include the Halloween event we did in 2019, which was in fact, a 2-part event in collaboration with projecteducate our biggest event at the moment!
There was also our version of Nailed It! We asked the community to recreate a cake (and later on, Fella) and it was awesome. First for April Fools (even tho the contest was real) and then for DA's 19th Birthday.
But I think my top favorite thing we did as a team was without a doubt, the Hunt for Elves we did for the holidays in 2019. (Here's a special journal I put together with a behind the scenes of the event with some interesting facts). We did another similar event, this time an Easter Egg Hunt we did the following year, which was a lot of fun too! Those were by far the most successful activities we did I think, we had a lot of participation, a lot of prizes and A LOT of comments to count haha.
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I still dream I'm counting eggs and elves...
I loved being a volunteer! I loved helping, organizing, promoting and participating in all the activities we did, I loved every time an artist I gave a Daily Deviation sent me a thankful note, and when an angry forumer did the same for closing their thread.
But as usual, life changes, oneself changes, and now is time to go back at being a regular member. I'll still be here of course, you're not getting rid of me!
Special thanks to @moonbeam13 once again for the opportunity, and all my fellow volunteers, past and present, I love you people!
Hello dear people and whatnot!
Probably a little late, but hey! It's still January so it still counts, right? Happy New Year!
Every new year comes with a new intention to do things better, be more productive, dare to do that thing you always wanted to do but never did, get more fit, learn how to hide a body, etc.
This for me, and talking specifically about DA, means I want to go back at doing more things for the community besides selecting DDs once in a while.
Tell me something, ask me something, ask for a Core Membership if you don't have one, ask for a critique, a +fav, a +watch, share a deviation of yours, whatever you want!
Hello dear fellow people persons!
So, it has been almost a year since my last journal, hah! so I figured a new one was long overdue, I know you are all obsessed with my life.
Today is my DAnniversary! Can you believe I joined this site a lazy afternoon just like this, exactly 17 years ago? Some of you were being born back then, some of you were still in the plans.
I was checking some of my very, very old art and besides the cringe, I also remembered how things were back in the day. I remember when getting "M" messages was a big deal (if you're old enough you'll know what I mean).
Art is part of my life, is the way I use to express what I feel and think, so when I look back at some of my oldest deviations I remember exactly what I was feeling at that exact moment. Most of my pieces were created with a specific song as inspiration too, and/or with a very specific moment or person in mind. Looking at my gallery is like looking at a photo album, just instead of photos of moments of my life, I see art I created to remember those moments.
For instance, the inspiration for my latest deviation came while I was in the hospital, while I was waiting to get my gallbladder removed a month ago, after spending 2 weeks in there I was starting to feel miserable, then this song came up in one of my Spotify playlists and it lifted my spirits. I felt happy! And I imagined a colorful scene of a guy surrounded by stars. A few years from now I know I'll come back and remember those times, not the feeling miserable part, but the one where I found some hope and felt good in the middle of a difficult environment.
DeviantArt, which has been part of my life for almost half of it, keeps a special place in my heart. Despite my activity around here has decreased over the years, it still feels like home, a safe haven were I can come and express myself, and leave those art pieces as memories I'll come back to remember someday. And while there are other sites now where I can post my art, DA is still the only site that has this home sentiment.
So when I think, why am I still here? How can I've been a member of a site and remain (relatively) active when so many other sites have come and gone? I think that's the answer; this site is my home, even if I go and stay away for a time, I always come back, this place is so full of memories.
So thank you, DeviantArt! For being an important part of my growth as an artist. And here's to many more years!
Hello folks, people and peanuts!
So, I've felt so absent lately, and I wish I could say is because I've been incredibly busy and while that is partially true, the truth is that I've felt a general lack of motivation to do anything lately. Sometimes I feel I do what I need to do (namely work) because, well, I have to work! But for everything else, my hobbies and the things I do for fun, doing art, hanging around DA and other social media, etc. at the end of the day I'm just so tired...
But in an attempt to come out of that cycle and reincorporate myself to the things I enjoy, I'm writing this journal today, to show that I'm still alive hah!
Probably just about 2 and a half persons will read this anyway, but oh well
I have a new puppy! And it's the most adorable little creature ever! His name is Sombra and yes, it's for the character from Overwatch.
His abilities include chewing on things, specially shoes, poo and pee everywhere and do the cutest sounds while sleeping.
I leave you with some of my latest(ish) faves!