6 years. I've been here for six years. I could say it feels like I joined yesterday, but it's just not the case. It feels like an eternity. The long-haired teenager that joined and was nearly terrified of submitting his first drawing is a distant memory. So much changed since then.

One thing remained the same through the years: a strong desire of improvement. Back in 2006, I expected harsh critique. I expected to be demolished by my peers. To have my technique corrected. Well, since this is deviantArt, such a thing did not happen, except for a few rare, unexpected, welcome times. I've had my share of "nice" "lol xD" "i really like it" and comments containing only a smiley. Part of the game, okay. Most of the time, I received good comments, compliments and praise.

Then, the turning point of my deviantart experience, you guessed it: The World War comics. Started as a joke, something to make my few watchers laugh. Not much thought and effort was really put into it, as it was supposed to be a one time thingy. Then it exploded. It was al over the internet. It got a Daily Deviation. I made a few more. They got hundreds of comments. All kinds of comments. And, a first, I received deeply offended comments. Woah, I thought, I didn't know it could be seen as offensive. Then I read the comments on other websites. Oh, ho ho, did they destroy that comic. At first, I felt terrible. But then, I realized it was the best thing I've ever had: honest, harsh critique with absolutely no sugarcoatting, as I was not supposed to read these comments.

That put me back in my place. Teached me to do research, to actually put effort in what I do (whatever I do) and that I had much to learn.

Looking back at the comics, while they did help me become a better artist, I am really considering taking them down. They still receive favourites from young deviantart users, and it slightly worries me. While it is true that learning about the wars is easier through comics, mine are historically inaccurate and I'm afraid of unintentionally  propagating false information and corrupting history. While I often try to reply to comments with invitations to read actual history books, I feel that's not enough.

I've moved on now.Went through crude drawings, then bad comics, then war drawings, and now whatever I feel like drawing. Sincerely have no idea where my art is going. Am I improving? Yeah. What am I trying to express? Hell if I know. What am I going to do later? Like I have an idea of what I'm doing right now. What should I do? Keep drawing. I love it. What are my objectives? Let's not overthink all of this.

Two things I know. I love drawing, okay, and I won't stop. And I wouldn't be so convinced if it wasn't of the six years of deviantArt I've been through. All the comments I received from all of you. All the feedback, the suggestions. Even some conversations I've had with a few of you. Kept me motivated. Kept me inspired. All I've created, I made it to either amuse or impress you and myself. If dA wouldn't've been in my life for more than half a decade, maybe I'd've quit. My style would be different. Would be a whole other world.

So, thanks to all of you stopping by from time to time, looking at my scanned 8 x 11 paper sheets with graphite on them. No matter what you want to say, good or bad, or even nothing at all, you're welcome. Thanks for sticking around.