While watching other deviants' galleries and favourites, those ads keep showing up, promising they'll go away if I subscribe. Well, I don't plan to do it yet, and I don't mind the ads. As a matter of fact, most of them are very appealing, so I caught myself collecting them. And when you follow the links, you can get pleasantly surprised as I was with deviantART Prints [link] - a wonderful new world of art, indeed.

Another long period of artistic block ended with a new piece of work - Julia, that can be seen in my Gallery now. Don't forget to see the lineart in my Scraps and another version of the same picture. A girl I've seen last summer was an inspiration (at least, her clothes ). A lot of work I have in private life takes most of my time, and after coming home I just wish I didn't have to sleep. Oh, so much things I'd like to do... Between my sporadic artworks, I use my visits to dA only to see what's new, to add a Fav, or drop a comment here and there. My works got many more comments than I've actually expected, so big THANKS to all of you! And it almost happened that I didn't notice ---over 10,000 VISITS!--- A big number for me.

Since I'm not a professional artist (nor a graphic designer), coloring in PS consumes much of my time. I wish I could learn to do it faster and my movement to be more free (like Trazador's [link] , for example). Hell, I've even learned PS basics by myself (sometimes looking in Help files). So, my friends, if you know about some good coloring tutorials on the Web, or (even better) here on deviantART, give me a link. Now, let me stop babbling.

Until next piece, have a good time. I'll pray for Maurice's [link] health - be well, my friend! Eat good food, listen to good music, draw a little, read a little, sleep a lot, and think positive.

-Dar-

Nothing new, except that I've relocated the "Daria meets Peggy" (without background) [link] to Scraps folder.

I've been very busy recently, preoccupied by things not related to art, but I hope there will be new works soon.

This time I repost something important I found at slave2F8's [link] deviantART Journal:

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In ancient mythology, there were small creatures whose entire existence was spent running amok, taking things apart, breaking everything they could get their hands on, ruining the tranquility of the hard working peasant-folk. In ancient times, these were known as "Gremlins".

The more current English term is "Admin".

MOST of the DA administrators are WONDERFULLY helpful, understanding, and patient. Clearly some are not.

It's happened again: yet another good and decent, rule-abiding artist has been punished for no reason. All over the site, innocent artists are being targeted through the use of the "report theft" option on the DA site. Without any warning, without the need for any proof, without a chance to defend oneself, DA can decide to delete art work, suspend, or even permanently ban an account. Although the effort to stop art theft is indeed noble, and perhaps even necessary, a little more care and caution could go a long way to ensuring that good artists aren't being victimized.

IF YOU THINK THAT DA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO WARN USERS BEFORE DELETING THEIR ENTIRE GALLERY AND BANNING THEM INDEFINITELY, SO THAT THE USER CAN PRESENT THEIR CASE, POST THIS IN A JOURNAL ENTRY TITLED "FIGHT THE MADNESS". If you can, send the link to random deviants to spread the word (but try not to get chain-lettery about it).

PLEASE REALIZE that this IS NOT meant to be an attack on DA or its staff. It is NOT a "rant". It is not a "flame". It is an attempt toward righting a wrong, and preventing others. It is merely an impetus of change.

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The copy part is above this magical star barrier of uber-ness (in words of slave2F8).

If the dA staff has already enabled the mentioned prior-to-ban warnings, then I sincerely apologize. Errare humanum est.

A girl from my previous artwork is named Daria and she loves to travel. She told me not to say anything more - her new picture will be in the gallery, with a surprise for Maurice. I hope you don't mind, friend