As the title suggests, this news article series aim to promote wonderful aspects of the deviantART community, from showcasing beautiful works of art, to informing you of great groups, and to interviewing inspirational deviants. I feel so happy being part of such a wonderful community and I hope to make it better, even if it's only a little bit, by making these articles. My goal is to bring to light everything that impassions me and, hopefully, inspire you!
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Showcasing Gorgeous Artwork
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A showcase of art that has simply left me speechless from all genres, from digital/traditional, artisan, emoticons, fractals, etc.
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Showcasing Wonderful Photography
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A showcase of photographs that have left me in awe from all genres, from nature, macro, fashion, conceptual, abstract, etc.
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Showcasing Lovely Literature
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A showcase of literature that has motivated & moved me from all genres, from prose, poetry, flash fiction, short stores, etc.
The MartyrIs that you
My skin and bone stalker?
Oh, how your flesh is in want
Of a beautiful martyrdom
And our silence rectifies this.
Peeling back the ply layers
In satin-shimmering sheets
Reveals a blinding bandage wrap
And the nails in your mouth
(Sucking out the iron to fortify
The caustic, slipshod nerve
Needed to be the sacrifice)
We will use to pillow
And prop you up
Under that lineal briar crown
summertime.i've realized i miss you most in the summer. when we were together, we belonged to the cold; trees would lose their leaves, winter winds would blow, but the summer was ours. it was a time when we could leave essays and exams behind and start dreaming. a time for stargazing and raindancing and treeclimbing. for the wild. for us.
i feel so out of place. in the light of a bonfire or the wind of a highway, i find myself thinking: you would have loved this. and i get lost in memories of running through a subway station, reaching for lights across the dark ocean or swinging by a lake and dangling our feet in the stars.
this has always been a seas
Psalmi. earth
your kingdom come
easement grass
swaying tall like wheat
the galloping horse
who eyed my stick with fear
and mistook my approach for vengeance
earthworms
dawn into the open by rain
moles
caught by the spikes
of traps that father placed
where the earth was soft
the thundering lump
of the pine tree
being cut piece from piece,
it's limbs falling,
the workers squinting against the sun,
and I, woken by the noise,
sitting dazed on my bed
ii. sea
In the strawberries
growing flush and firm
on Californian fields.
In the small girl
groping among berry bushes
as it is in her father
keeping a watchful eye.
In the bloo
Self Preservation"The rules of the game are as follows:
Win or lose, you're all in this together.
To ensure your compliance with said rules, we have implanted you all with microchips that monitor your vital signs. If any of your hearts should fail, a signal will be sent to err, shall we say, activate, the rest of your group's microchips." With this, the officer opened his hand up like a blossoming flower and said quietly, "Boom," His accompanying grin was psychotic. "The teensiest little explosion can have an impressive effect on something so fragile as a brain, you know."
I knew that speech off by heart by now, could play it back in my head whenever I wan
:thumb317358043:
the girl who didn't get shoti am all aches and pains and coffee stains--
am i the smell before rain, the blood in your veins?
my life is composed of memories and scraped-up knees,
failed attempts at surgeries
of my mind and of my heart, of whatever stops me
when i'm trying to start.
i am all the shores they never graze, that haze
when the sun burns rainwater on roads.
i may feel warm but know this--i get cold,
i get frozen stiff and when i'm bent i won't fold.
the marrow of my bones hold blue-grey skies,
murkier than the rampant clouds in your eyes
but when i'm rib-caged i still have someplace to fly.
i am all the forlorn poets, for i've lungs and a tongu
Gnome Noir "I did it for the money and I did it for the girl.
Well, I didn't get the money – and I didn't get the girl."
:: Walter Neff - Double Indemnity
So I point the flintlock at the guy – and that's no easy thing, big musket like that on a little gnome like me – and I peer down the sight. Not many people know what it's like to stare at a man through a glass. But in those sacred moments, the whole world takes a breath and it's just you and him. I line up the shot, and I think about the girl, and--
What? That is the start. What do you want, Sheriff, my life story?
Alright, well, I'm Gniles Brody the Third – that's
origins of the universei do not know what it means
when you look at me a certain way,
like a child seeing god for the first time
or maybe for the last. i just don't know
why we orbit each other like we are the only
celestial objects left in outer space, binary stars
that gravity decided to keep
together. you are my primary star
and i am your comes, the secondary,
and you will always shine brighter.
i don't always understand why it is
we fell like meteors tearing down
and unprepared for sudden impact,
but i do know the entire universe
was created for this, for you
and for me. when we die it will die with us
but first i'd like us to buy a one-way tick
fireworksstallions of stellar white gallop atop the queasy ocean
which rolls and tumbles and twists and turns itself into
giddying eddying midnight tides against the cove
whispers become breaths become gusts become
gales of freezing air ruffle the hair of the ground
and the tiny people huddle closer into their coats
not us though, for we are like fire to the airborne ice
as we dash through the choruses of the cold
towards the sea (the sea!) which beckons us in its madness
spots of spray bombard us as the waves try to get us
but never quite succeed (all is soaked already though)
as they my friends swig of their bottle of liquid flame
isn't
Peace itself is terrifying.He's a Leviathan, water pouring over his skin,
streams flooding coarse hair as he swims in a sea
of sounds. Each sensation is a symphony
so long as he graces the box seat.
He flexes his hands and gives thanks for the miracles
that are his sinews, for without him he would be a
naked voice, or so he quips over merlot and
the designer labels sewn on his clothes.
Sycophants line the halls to plead for his touch.
We all live in watercolor, letting the world filter softly by,
yet he drenches himself in oils and acrylics,
bellowing that art must always be violent, primeval.
He's a Behemoth, molten metals coursing through
the threads of
creating something beautifulmy skin is raw red and wedding-white from when the watches' honed hands lacerated me as they melted, but i am no salvador dali.
[48]
the writer says, i can feel the words with my thoughts but not with my fingers, and i cannot trust my thoughts because objectively they are not real. repeat after me: i will only believe what i have physical, sensual proof of. i will only believe what i have physical, sensual proof of. physical sensual proof - the writer says, i process that with my thoughts; therefore, there is no proof, no physical, no sensual, no reality, and no "me."
"blood" will not splatter my fingers incriminating crimson; "skyline" ca
the little things in life.i.
the cemetery architects had never planned to place a bench within the premises. they surmised that those who came to visit would not wish to dwell long in the company of ashes. however, the builders consented to procure one to appease the masses, assuming its only use would be a remedy to tired feet. after the stone slab was put in place in the uppermost corner of the grounds, it never crossed their minds again.
ii.
he came alone, wearing his usual plaid coat and bowler. tipping his hat to his brow, he greeted passersby with a crinkle of his left eye. (most ignored him as they made their way to their next destination.) in fact, few noti
Conflagration Smoldering coal seam
long-ignited by friction
Festers for decades
beneath a weathered-thin crust
Venting sparks flare-ups
and breeds scarification
Continual stress
can express raindrops from stone
Buried heart is breached
through constant undermining
Fiery blowups
give rise to false martyrdom
The broadening rift
crumbles into a chasm—
each calls it the other's fault
Lightning Bug CosmosI lace my skin up like a corset, peel back the blinds on my eyelids, and take a step forward, waking from the poppies to the
lightning bug glow of truth tapping on my eardrums.
In front of the mirror I stand, but what I notice is not the awkward crook of my nose or butterfly lashes. I look into the lighted mirror as if searching for answers hidden under
Ribbon-like sets of
veins, arteries and nerves.
Sometimes it all flows correctly; sometimes everything becomes
knotted up in all the wrong places. Skin toughened by beatings brought about by the
Writing Fairytales I told him, "I think I'll write a book."
He said, "Do it right, November. Write a best-seller and send me a copy with your autograph on the inside cover."
"I can do better than that," I promised, our fingers intertwined for the last time, "I'll write the best damn book you've ever read. It'll tell the story of lost love and lost innocence, of found friends and staying out too late on a cold night, and the story of endings without closure. It'll be about boys and girls and break-ups and hook-ups and how everything happens in the backseat of cars."
"They'll interview you on television because everyone wants to know who inspired the story
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Showcasing Fun Groups
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Here I will inform you of cool groups I have come across or have been recommended to that I feel need some more exposure.
"Project Educate, originally launched in 2008 by the Community Relations team, is a project to promote and support artistic growth and knowledge throughout the community. The project includes contests, interviews, and various other events for artistic and community involvement."
Please consider watching 
the group to get updates and news 
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Suggested DDs
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A selection of DDs I have suggested this month and any that have been accepted.
Awarded DD on: 8 - 16 - 2012
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Here I will interview an inspirational deviant I have picked or one suggested to me.
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The story behind your username? •
"Tea" as in 
has been my "name" for a long time now. My friends started to call me "Tea" about 15 years or so ago, during a time when I was studying Alternative Energy Healing, and received my Certification… and I was especially really into the study of medicinal herbal teas. The name really caught on. Now, practically everyone calls me "Tea" on and off line.
"Photography" goes to the art that I most publicly share, and currently utilize in my business, though it is not all that I do.
Together, "Tea Photography" has a nice little ring to it. 
•
Tell us about yourself: •
That's a broad question, but I will do my best to share a few things, and maybe include a couple things that even my closest friends on dA didn't really know too much about…
I was an elementary school teacher for nearly 15 years. I have a bilingual teaching credential, in order to formally and legally be able to communicate with both students and families in their first language, and in some cases teach in the first language, as needed, to certain students. Besides English, I also know Spanish.
It took me a little too long to realize and accept that I had to give up my career due to my very challenging medical issues.
And the transition was very difficult.
These are the few things that I have been previously reluctant to share publicly, because I want to be known for my abilities and the things that I can do, much more than known for the difficulties I face.
Yet, I am more realizing that all of my experiences, make me who I am, and there is nothing wrong with the truths and realities of what I have had to face.
But, moving on, I have also been much involved in other types of arts, throughout my life.
I am a very musical person… I love a wide variety of music, and I have participated directly in various musical groups.
I play the piano, clarinet, a number of percussion instructions, and a little guitar, which I learned in my adult years.
I also studied ballet for eight years, as a child.
During my adult years, I also earned a black belt in a most wonderful mixed style of Martial Arts, called: Kemscrima-Doh
and I have to say deciding to train in Martial Arts, has always been about the best decision I've ever made for myself in my whole life, for many reasons!
I grew up in the middle of California, but I used to travel quite a bit and quite far, but it has been a very long time, since I've been able to do that. Nevertheless, my love for travel is still as strong, and I have learned about the value in the simple day-trip.
We did finally move out of California, April of 2011, to the state of Oregon, and I have to say, that has also been one of the best decisions I've ever made!
Currently, I work mostly as a photographer in my business of Tea Photography, which has previously been mostly online, such as through dA and also my other more personal website teaphotography.com . I create prints, do some framing, and also create photo greeting cards.
Lately, I've been able to expand locally where I live, a goal I've always had, and this has been a great experience.
Currently, I am also the photographer for The South Coast Humane Society where I am currently volunteering since Summer 2011. I take the photos of their animals for the newspapers here, for the adoption sections. They are also used on their petfinder.com and face book pages.
I also run The Shelter Project: [link] as an official fundraiser for them.
I love living near the ocean, more than words could possibly say! Nature of all kinds, abounds here where I now live, and the air is so much cleaner and it just feels healthier to be here.
I also must add, how much I adore all of my nieces!!!
So, I could think of another thing or two, but let's just leave it at that.
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How did you discover deviantART? •
Well, I started researching the internet early January 2008, for a place to host my new business of Tea Photography. dA was the first place I looked at, and while I continued looking into several other art-related internet sites, by March 9th, 2008, I came back to dA and signed up as an official member, and over 4 years later…
well, I've never left!
It's truly an awesome place to be, for so many reasons! 
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Specializes In: •
Well, in reality I am a multi-media artist, but on dA and for the business of Tea Photography, my most obvious specialties have been photography, photo art, and some literature, especially visual poetry.
Additionally, I also am greatly involved with creating my own prints, some framing, and creating handmade photo greeting cards.
•
Your Personal Favorite(s) From Your Gallery: •
This only difficult because of the fact that each work I upload holds such deep meaning for me.
A few of those that stick out are:
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Favorite Inspirational Deviant: •
So, SO many… and beyond any list I could make.
The problem with beginning a list like this, is that I already know I will leave some very special people out. 
There are some favorite inspirational deviants, who I have met since nearly the beginning of joining here on dA, who I still communicate with now, and who remain supportive friends. I think that is remarkable, and very noteworthy when this happens. That is inspiration alone.
But that being said, to name some of my favourite inspirational deviants:
*JocelyneR =Tigles1Artistry *sesam-is-open *philippeL =Brian-B-Photography `JamminJo `ArtByCher `SavageFrog ~Shirimasen *Annissina ~Iluvbiscuit2 =kurios-kat *DanaAnderson *Lirulin-yirth `davincipoppalag *hiaamir *bewilderedconfused `creativemikey *Miarath =kurios-kat *BrightStar2 *Arte-de-Junqueiro *LadyAliceofOz *TheDarkenedBride *Trippy4U `The-Lantiis *LUCILALEYLA *ArtBYbeverly =Samcatt *seven-s ~cowboyB0B `Heidi-V-Art
etc. ……
gosh, so many more, and the more I think of, the more I can think of those I am leaving out!
So please know, that there are many more, and I'm sorry for not being able to include everyone!
But I also wanted to say: `Quolia …
Thank you!
And…
All the Admins., I work with at #Unframed-Nature #DevNews #dAWishingWell #deviantHEART and my other groups, too. 
And also all of the Affiliates of "The Shelter Project" = [link]
•
What are your favorite aspects of deviantART? •
Gosh, there are so many. 
But, I'll start with the fact that when I first came here, I was somewhat shy about the idea of sharing my art, writing, & photography for the first time ever on the internet.
But, right away I noticed the overwhelming amount of support and encouragement that I was receiving, and I was so surprised, because I never even thought about that level of support from an online community.
So, I would say that the way that deviantART is able to foster such an amazingly supportive community, is the first aspect that comes to mind, that is my most favourite.
And this is very important, because it is easy to not always feel comfortable when you are exposing your artwork, which for me, is always deeply personal.
That being said, I also love the fact that there is also this aspect that easily fosters a "Pay-it-Forward" theme, that seems to run through the site.
In other words, for me, given the amount of support I had received from the very beginning, I have found that dA is a place where there is plenty of opportunity to give BACK to the community, by helping out others through encouragement of their own work, through helping other groups, and other causes and projects, too.
Because of the support I have received, I have made it a part of my dA activities, to do whatever I am able to do for anyone else, with that "Pay it Forward" philosophy.
And just like in life, dA mirrors the reality that there are always needs that people, and groups of people have, and we can all work together to help fill these needs, both in life and on dA. And dA is a part of life for many of us, anyway!
Of course I adore the artistic aspect of dA, too! I love that dA is a place for such a wide variety of art media!
I think it's fantastic that we have a place to be together among many different types of artists, and if we so choose, in this way we are able to learn more about various types of art, and meet other types of artists, and support each other across the artistic board. 
So not only, are we able to learn from each other, and meet each other within our own artistic specialties, but we can learn so much about other artistic areas, as well.
And again, through this aspect, we are creating more community!
I think to best sum it up, at this point,
"I have come for the art, but I've stayed for the community."
•
Where do you draw your inspiration from? •
"Life is Art, Messy yet Beautiful all at Once."
This is just a personal quote, which I've lived by ever since fully emerging art with life, in general, and realizing that for me, they are one in the same.
It sums up where I draw my inspiration from.
First, I draw my inspiration, from LIFE itself, and everything and everyone around me.
And I view life as art, and vice versa.
I draw inspiration from the grand number of outstanding deviants right here on this very site, too.
But, I can't forget all that's brought me to where I am today, and this includes any of my friends and family, who have been supportive of me, who are not here on dA. And really, everyone is a teacher, just because there is something I have learned from everyone I've crossed paths with.
Also, it is important to mention that the needs I've found in the world around me, have inspired me to combine my passion for art with my compassion for all such situations, in whatever ways this might be possible.
Those who might know me best on dA, know that one of the most obvious examples of this, are
the needs of animals, because my photos of them at the humane society where I volunteer at The South Coast Humane Society are placed in the area's newspapers and on petfinder.com and on fb, to help with their adoptions.
Sometimes, I upload a few of the photos to dA, as well, to share the message of such needs and what I do, right here on dA.
Also, any of my animal works in the form of Prints or Greeting Cards, go to The Shelter Project: [link] which began in 2010, but now go to the 2nd humane society I work with, since I had moved.
The two year anniversary, is this month of August 2012: [link]
I've had such support of this project from right HERE on dA!
And because of this, the Affiliates of "The Shelter Project" have been especially inspirational to me, because without them, there would not be such a project, especially as it exists on this site.
But in general, animals, nature, people, and the world around me, are honestly truly inspirational for me.
•
How do you strive to further improve your work? •
Practice, Patience, and Persistence, and repeat!
Always and forever, because really there is no need to be completely perfect, because there is always room for improvement, and if a state of perfection could be reached, then that would be that, and what more would there be?
In other words, it is important to realize that there will always be room for improvement, no matter how long a person has been practicing something. It keeps a person humble at the same time. That is why the "repeat" is the most important part.
•
Do you have any advice to fellow aspiring artists? •
Hmm, I'd say patience and persistence.
And you can practice both at the same time, and the combination, can yield improvements in art, as well as quality of life, in general.
So many times, people expect to be instantly wonderful at something right away.
Or they expect to have instant recognition for something whether they may be great at what they do or even not so great yet.
It's that "instant gratification syndrome" that is common enough.
Art, and life as a whole with everything we want to do, is an unfolding process, and sometimes many people forget to take stock in the journey itself. Therein lies the true value. I believe we should exercise a lot of patience during our unfolding journeys, because this is where all the learning comes in.
We really aren't here to become famous overnight, and win the big prize at every turn, or the biggest award there is. Maybe someday, such things could be a part of the future, but there is much to do first.
Do you think the Black Belt in Martial Arts, got his or her black belt in the first week, or even year, of training? I should think not.
And even a Black Belt is only the beginning of the next level of training. 
After all, we are never done learning.
Patience, is the key.
The next key, is persistence.
I've seen too many people who want to give up something really soon, because they didn't feel they were very good at it, or someone ELSE told them, they weren't that good at it, which was a crushing blow.
If they still love art, I advise giving oneself much more of a chance, and persistence with it, so you have time for improvement, and don't listen to anyone who simply makes you feel bad. Ask for constructive feedback, but don't tolerate rudeness.
Life is about persistence, and not giving up on the things that you want to do, but being very patient with yourself at the same time. There is no need to kick yourself, if skills or even external awards don't come, or don't come right away, if those are your goals.
Remember, life is a journey… take it steadily along, and take in the scenery while you're at it.
After all, that's what art really IS about-
The scenery along life's journey!
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`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
~AnnaLisk 
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the article to help spread the DA love 
note me. Or, leave a comment with your suggestions in this journal, 
Lovely interview with =TeaPhotography too.
And, of course, thanks so much for the feature.