I can't say I ever really had a following, so my voice is somewhat muted. With that however I do have something to say.
I joined deviantart for the simple enjoyment of being able to see such amazing and beautifully unique artworks. It was a simple pleasure to sign onto at the time, a wonderful site. A site devoted to true artists because without those artists it would not be standing today. Over the years it became clear to me it wasn't about truly amazing art it was about popularity and money. I've seen artists come and go and I followed some of my favorites, but now it's become clear to me that things will be changing for the worse. This community is dwindling, so many of the artists I have been watching for years, way before I even created an account have left. Truly amazing artists that had so much to show- forced to look for something that respected their talent not only how much they could make off of them. But I guess it's why they call it starving artist, because it's not what you can do it's how well you can be marketed.
sorry to see so many of you go, it was fun.