Community: what does it mean?

This may be long, but a couple things first: thank you all for watching and reading this. If this upsets you, I am truly sorry, but it must be said.

In Leila's last project, she invited several members of the tg community to draw themselves in a chosen lantern style. She invited select people and they in turn drew what she asked for.

This was a neat idea. I liked it and said I would join in.

Not too long after she announced it, did things go a little nuts. People not invited started to put up art. Non artists started to feel left out. Some lurkers wanted to be involved. In short: it became a mess. Did some do some great work? Oh yes. But did it start to make the whole project bigger? Unwieldy? Of course.

But Leila rolled with it well. I saw some go.with it nicely. Some not so.  But it was her thing. But then I got an Im. This person didn't feel like a member of the community. And after a long two day talk I came to a conclusion: this person wasn't looking for a community. They were looking for a support group.

There is a tg art community here that has embraced me. I will always be thankful for that. But it os not a support group. We aren't the best people to talk super personal problems for a few reasons. One: we don't know you. In this group od watchers and artists I have personally only seen two in real life. Ccp and Sesshi. Out of the others, a few I knew for years: Pip, jay, lightly frosted, griever, daffodil aura, jaime hallers. To name a few. And there are some that come to be online buddies through.here. lucky, robiotic, fuze. And then there are people I don't really know but respect. Leila, gillpanda, chaos croc. And more. But there are even more, whom I.just don't know.

Sorry. I know you comment. I am sure you're lovely people. I just don't know you. You do nice things for me, I appreciate it. But that doesn't mean we are super pals now. I may or may not draw you something.  But I am rambling.

The thing about.this community is that everyone matters. Fromthe lurkers to the artists. But, that doesn't mean anyone is going to be ignored. The artists and writers are a bit bonded with each.other. that is why we tend to draw others of us. We see what the other does and gets a bit inspired. We do nice pictures and the like.

If you aren't getting stuff drawn for you, unfortunately you aren't making an impact. It's nothing personal. How do you make an impact? Give good comments. Start actual conversations with the artists. See if you have common interests. I have lockart on live. And we've talked a bit.

I've gotten a little off track. But I just wanted to say that if you aren't included in things, just let it be. You are still important. Gonna stop rambling now.