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Multifavs said:

So, I have a problem and I really could use some advice...
After I couldn't keep using Photobucket, I decided to make a DeviantArt account today. The problem is, now I'm not sure whether I really want to stay there or not. For years I didn't want to join, but I also felt like I was missing out on some things.
There are several reasons I'd like to stay:
-My art would get more exposure
-There are some people I'd really like to talk to and some drawings I'd really like to comment on there, and it would be easier to keep up with my friends' art
But at the same time, there are several reasons I'm thinking about quitting already:
-I never liked how dA pretty much doesn't censor anything, so people can almost say and post whatever they want...I feel it may make me uncomfortable
-I feel like it's a big responsibility to keep up with everyone's art
Some days I get bored of other sites so dA would give me something else to do, but then there are other days when I have other things to do and feel like I have no time for everything already.
So, I just don't know what to do. For the last few days I felt overwhelmed by this; I just couldn't stop wondering whether joining would be a good idea or not. And now I think I feel more comfortable just staying on smaller communities, but I worry that I'll let my friends down if I quit so soon. I tend to make decisions too quickly, without giving enough thought. What should I do?

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GandalfTheWise said:

I think the main thing is if a group (or a subgroup on a site) is giving you encouragement and useful feedback or if you are being discouraged and frustrated by your interactions. I've noticed that many forums and online groups have their own "personalities", some of which are healthy and some are not. Art critiques can be useful for helping one improve, but if not done with an encouraging spirit, it could tend to be discouraging after awhile.

I've glanced a bit at some of your images uploaded on this site and like them.

A little over a month ago, I started working on learning digital art to illustrate some stories I'm writing for my new granddaughter. I got in on the discount for Clip Studio Paint that went on awhile ago and picked up a Wacom tablet. I signed up for dA a month or so ago, but only to access tutorials but haven't done much with it since. I'll be keeping track of this thread to see if any good suggestions come up.

(Whoops, just noted this is in the young adults section. I'm an older guy. Hopefully this is not a problem for this thread.)

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Stancet said:

I used to be a big DeviantArt user too. I know that there are mature filters on DA but other things outside their guidelines slip through regularly and expose people to all kinds of profane things. That's why I'm not a user anymore.

So to answer your question... it will all depend on several things. Paul told us that we must remain in the world, but we are not to become apart of the world (Romans 12:2). Some people are called to be missionaries in terrible countries with war and sexual perversion, and many of them can avoid falling to temptation. But when worse comes to worst, Jesus commanded us to take desperate measures to avoid temptation if we can't resist it (Matthew 18:9).

I wish I had more positive reasons for you to stay on DeviantArt since good artists can make an honest reputation through that website. But personally I would avoid it because I know of the content that makes you nervous. I tried to make my post more open-minded but I can't overlook DeviantArt's pretty large dark-side.

Concerning your friends, please try not to let them bother you, because I know a true friend wouldn't get bent out of shape if you left DeviantArt. Jesus commanded us to love Him first, even if we had to give up our friends.

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DeerGlow said:

I thought most of the darkness I encountered was fighting with those people but yeah there probably are bad places.

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Multifavs said:

Stancet, I know exactly what you mean. I am very against profane things, so I really think that being on a site where I can easily find them is probably not a good idea.
I know another site I'm on does have some things like this too, but it gives everything a rating so I can know what to avoid.
Thank you for your response. I feel a little better now, and I think leaving may be the best option. I feel kind of bad about changing my mind so soon, but I know I should do what God would want me to do.

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