As I'm sure most of you are aware, there is currently a battle royale taking place between the administration of this site and the community, and within the administration itself. I am one of thousands who are largely in the dark as to the details, except for this: we love and are loyal to Scott Jarkoff.
I joined in early 2001, less than a year after DeviantART had been running. I don't remember how I found it or why I decided to join, but it's a decision that has impacted me rather significantly. The site consisted of a small group of community-driven indiciduals who existed solely for the love of art. I was young and rather new to anything "artistic," but they welcomed me into the fold. Jark himself, the leader and driving force behind the community, even shared his kind words on my earliest of deviations. He took the time to reply to comments on his journal or user page, and to interact with the people of DA on the forums and through private notes. He truly was a man of the people.
Since then, DeviantART has become a daily occurance in my life. I have never been completely ingrossed in it or have had any life-changing events occur through it, but DA has always been there to critique my art, show me that there are good people in the world, and connect me to those people. I met people her on DA that truly incredible, have shared their lives with me, and I with them. It has been a COMMUNITY to me, personally. And for that, I am ever grateful to the man who introduced me to it all: Jark.
So, what do we do now? I dought there is anyone who can answer that questions directly. The only thing to do is simply to support Jark... And that is why I have chosen to voice my opinion.
To Scott: thank you, sir, for being an incredible individual, passionate leader, and even a friend to me and the community. You are truly a man of principle and character, and for that I commend you.
(and I love Matteo as well!)
--
www.bloodyn.dyndns.org/dev/ - Petition
bookdiva.deviantart.com/ - Mom of Jark; continual updates
justthorne.deviantart.com/jour… - Justthorne's plan
www.t52.org/ - The truth?
bloodyn.dyndns.org/carbon/ - Tribute & news
splat.deviantart.com/ - Splat's page, extensive links
liquify.deviantart.com/journal… - Liquify: the passion of the Jark
krash.deviantart.com/journal/6… - A day of Yellow
onestar.deviantart.com/journal… - DA 5 years
matteo.deviantart.com/ - Matteo
jark.deviantart.com/ - Jark, of course