Thank You for 2014!

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Deviation Actions

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Hey guys! How are you?? So sorry I've been so inactive lately. Been back to school so things have been really busy. Like homework all day every day for the past two weeks busy. Have lots of new art to post, but just waiting on this one thing to be finished for me to finally be able to post it all! So, in the mean time I wanted to reflect and write my annual New Year's journal, which just consists of...thanking everyone for LAST year. Everyone who made an impact on my year here on DA. I think it's only right to have some way of thanking them every year, because it's truly thanks to a lot of you guys that I'm able to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm just going to highlight some people off the top of my head that really made an impact, but if I missed you, I'm sorry. Honestly, if you're watching me, you belong in this journal. 

So, as I sit here thinkin' at my desk, some crazy memories come to mind. I'm flipping through all of 2014 in my head and it was such a huge year. At the beginning of the year, I ran a successful Kickstarter project  with my friend :icon5flavorsofanime:, got to occupy my first full scale anime convention Artist Alley with him, met some of you guys, created an artbook that featured my work alongside some of my favorite artists of all time, opened my online store, did a Copic Marker demo at CCAD, kept up with some tutorials on the Copic blog, and transferred from the Art Academy of Cincinnati to Savannah College of Art and Design - my dream school! 

:iconnoelmaghathephoto:
So, I wanted to start off by thanking the person that's had the greatest impact on my life this year. Baybehh, thank you for making me feel things I've never felt before and for being the most supportive person in my life right now! :love: You are truly amazing. Everyone go check out her work if you haven't already! She just got a Daily Deviation on the piece below on the 10th. She's an amazing photographer *3*)/~



Thought provoking, right? o.o And no, that's not us :giggle:

:icon5flavorsofanime:
And to my broseph, sir Kevin Florky. Thanks for being a great collaborator and for organizing all my crazy spare thoughts into something whole. The Only Human Project changed my life forever and it's all thanks to you. Can't wait to see you again this summer and go to Otakon with you again buddy!!

OnlyHumanProjectBanner by tga-leylo
OnlyHumanPromo2 by tga-leylo

:iconkoyamori:
Wanted to thank you for all your support and awesomeness this year. :heart: Honestly, if it weren't for you, I'm not sure if I would've had the drive to have continued with the Kickstarter project. You were the first artist that signed on, the first artist that believed in it and the artist that put the largest amount of pieces into it. For that I am truly grateful. Your works look so wonderful in the book and I'm still flabbergasted that my work is alongside yours. Thank you for your hard work, your positive attitude, your inspirational artworks, and of course your gift this year! Your prints look lovely on my wall and I look through "Daily" almost as often as the title says ;P haha

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:icongodzilla23:
You are srsly so cool :star: Thank you for agreeing to be a part of The Only Human Project and for making this artbook personal to you by making it your first publication in your new style. It was really so inspiring to read the blurb you wrote about it on tumblr. I didn't even have to ask for a testimonial, you wrote an amazing one on your own. I have no doubt I'll see you in Juxtapoz or Hi Fructose one day. Love seeing that you're having a good time at uni in Tokyo! If I'm ever around there I'll be sure to ask what you're up to~!

:iconavodkabottle:
Thank you so much for being part of The Only Human Project and for contributing such an amazing piece! It had so much impact and thought behind it and was a sure selling point for some people once they saw the preview. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It has been great knowing you these past couple years and I'm excited to see new works from you! :thumbsup:

:icontoosan:
Jonathan! Thank you so much for your support this year, and for letting me color your lineart, and put your works in The Only Human Project *v* It was one of my favorite collaborations, but I still have a lot to learn. You continue to inspire me and so many others with your fashion work and illustrations :star: Still very hard to believe I speak to the person who was my favorite artist since I was twelve and who I have looked to practically my whole life. So thanks for being one of my first (and biggest) inspirations to reach out to me. Really means a ton. Here's to 2015 :drunk:

Fleur d'os by Toosan

:iconmediaviolence:
Thank you for being such an early supporter of my work. I still remember the commission I did for you in 2010. I was floored that a professional manga artist had commissioned me and wanted to do my best to impress you. TTuTT To my surprise, you loved it, and asked to have it, and it's in your possession now. Just truly honored to know you and to be following in your footsteps at SCAD as a Sequential Art major. Singing onto the Kickstarter project really meant a lot to me and it was so wonderful to meet you at Otakon. 

:iconkiwichameleon:
Thank you as well for being part of The Only Human Project. Although not finished, your work for the artbook looked so incredible. I'm so sorry to hear about your hand and I hope your condition is improving!! If you're still working on it, I'm so excited to see your piece finished. Your support means so much to me and I've been a fan of your work for years! Thanks for being great~ :highfive:

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I also want to thank everyone I met at conventions this year! Thanks everyone for not beating me up when I came to say hi at your table and for stopping by at mine~!
:iconalicechan: :iconan-jing: :iconanimus-rhythm: :iconblix-it: :iconmiho-nyc: :iconpopo-licious: :iconslifertheskydragon: :iconsoupytheoctopus: :iconteakitsune: :icontsulala: :iconzetallis: :iconkaze-hime: :iconaka-shiro: :iconkookookchoo: :iconchiou: :iconzzyzzyy: :iconry-spirit: :iconofskysociety: :iconbaimonart: ::icondelofasht: :iconikm218: :iconiiwi: :iconabandonedmelody:  Rainy  feyuca pepperonccini Kiki Jenkins Sarah Tran 

And thanks for the trades guys~!
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:iconzzyzzyy:
Also wanted to give you a special thanks~! It was great seeing you at the two biggest Artists Alleys I was part of at both ACEN and Otakon. Your table was always so crowded and it was so nice of you to stop and talk to me when I walked up and introduced myself. I treasure the print I got from our trade and I really hope you like yours as well. : ) You're a big inspiration to me to keep going to cons to be as successful as you have been! 

:iconyuuza:
Thank you for featuring me in your artbook this year. *v* It's the first project of someone else's I was part of so it was very meaningful for me! You are just too cool and I'm excited for you to receive my artbook! Just an honor to be friends with such an inspiring force :thumbsup: Stay motivated, it seriously changes lives!!

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pepperonccini
Although you don't have a DA, you were definitely a huge influence on me as well this year! Your WIPs and works have been so amazing to look at *O* And someone as awesome as you being encouraging about my work really inspired me. I remember the Google hangout this summer when I said how unworthy I felt streaming alongside all of you big-league people but you told me I was just as cool, haha. That was just really awesome and I still think about it from time to time! Wish we got to talk more at ACEN! Hope to see you at another convention soon! : )

:iconmuse33:
Thanks for the entertaining tweets and for being so encouraging and inspiring. It's been a great year full of funny convos. I still remember streaming with pepperonccini & you asking for my Twitter and being floored once I found out who you were. ;__; Have known your art from around here for a while and it's just super cool bein cool witcha :thumbsup: Keep making awesome art~~

:iconlaelah:
Thank you for being such a huge influence on me this year and for encouraging me so much to keep going. *V* And for your inspiring Instagrams and wonderful things you sent me for the holidays!! I've added them to the Inspiration wall above and I'm so happy to have them! Can't wait to get on our collab >_< so. much. homework!! Stream sesh soon~!

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:iconbluestormgeo:
Yo brooo! Thank you for inspiring me so much in the comic realm. Starting out with my Sequential Art major at SCAD, your awesome comics are always in the back of my mind as something to live up to. Good luck with your sales on Phoenix Scroll and -- same as LAELAH, STREAM SOON!

:iconsus22222:
Ahh so glad you got an Instagram! *v* It's so much more immediate and I'm able to see what you're working on and I'm sure you're drawing more often too, which I'm psyched about! As my formal critique buddy, I truly owe so much to you in terms of my improvement and I hope I've helped you as well. It's been great getting back into each other's work again and I look forward to a year of streaming in 2015 w/ you!! :heart:

:iconwjh3:
Thank you Woody for inviting me to do the Copic demo at CCAD! It was an awesome experience and good practice talking and demoing in front of all those people, and was great having dinner with you and the guys and Skylar afterwards at that Hawaiian place! Heard what happened at AAC and not happy about it so whenever I'm back in Columbus I'd love to stop by again! :star:
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:iconbikyo:
Brooke~ it's been too cool getting to know you this year. Thank you for getting my booty and track and getting me to my classes on time. If I ever become organized, just know you're the reason why. You've made a huge impact on my life this 2014 and can't wait for years ahead at SCAD~! :star:

:iconvelcake:
Thank you for continuing in the DeviantART spirit this year! It's been wonderful seeing your featured DD's from this year and I really hope your doing well. Your features are also something to marvel at and keep me inspired. Thank you for all you've done to get me where I am today. I truly owe you so much. Stay awesome and keep encouraging people to do what they love~! :heart: :star:

:icontangled-tales:
:heart: Thank you for your inspiring attitude and relatable words. The speed at which you come up with these amazing ideas of yours, and your inspiring journals always keep me aspiring to match you! And congratulations on your Daily Deviation as well!! :glomp: See you soon ;D


:iconlukescreations:
Although we haven't talked in a while, the note you sent me a while ago made me miss ya buddy. You're always so encouraging and emerge through the cracks to drop me some really nice and inspiring messages. Miss ya and hope you come back to DA soon. Haha it is a little hard to stick around here, but I think once they revamp this place, it'll be a more fun place to hang out ;P Talk to you soon!

:iconmibou:
Yooo~! Thank you for your support this year as well. You were one of my favorite artists since before I met you and I still remember the day you went through and faved a ton of stuff from my gallery! I was so excited and it's been really cool getting to know you since then. Your Gaga art these past couple years has been so inspiring, and now watching your new style come to life is truly awesome *v* Keep doin what ya do. Love you work, so keep it up!

:iconsatiricalarts:
Kenzie!! Thank you for being such a great friend and for being SO supportive, like, unnecessarily supportive. You are just such a wonderful person and friend and I know 2014 was rough for you but I sincerely hope 2015 is amazing for you. :heart: You have a great heart and I can't wait to see where you art goes this year : )

:icontaly5:
Thanks so much for supporting my art and for our funny Twitter convos x) It's also been great to watch your art grow this year. Gahh that TotA piece was so nice. I'm gonna feature it cuz I love it so much and I can't believe you're not satisfied with it.
Hyper-resonnance too strong by Taly5
Anyway, yes, you inspired me in 2014 as well! Keep up the awesome work!! :star:

:iconmonarchism:
Ahh hey~! Miss your art but it's been nice seeing your updates on Instagram. : ) You are one of my favorite artists as well and your works inspired me since when you joined! Thanks for being so cool and hope to talk to you soon *fistbump*

:iconpae-kym:
PIE-KIM!! BRUH! Thank you for being so encouraging this year too and for being someone I can go to to talk about Internet stuffs on my mind ._. Your works this year have been so great and I'm glad to see you're drawing again. Your Instagrams are so inspiring :heart: Keep up the great work~~ and here's to 2015 ;3;

:iconrickytay87:
Urrika. :heart: I will never forget this year's trip to Savannah with you. Thanks for bein your wonderful self and for helpin me out in so many aspects of my life. You are truly a great friend and I can't wait to see you in March. :heart: Also, KEEP DOIN ART. This is where the big d**ks swing :star:

:iconsiljavich:
Why hello Insta-famous artist! Thanks for being so encouraging of my work since we started talkin! I was always so surprised when you would reply to me when I commented on your work in the early days because of how amazing I felt your art was and still is! :glomp: Great to say I have another art friend :thumbsup: Europe looks so fun and I hope to visit sometime and hang!! :)

:iconbuntglas:
;_; I'm so incredibly sorry I forgot to include you in this journal. You are absolutely AWESOME. I've admired your work for so long now and I'm so excited to have done a collab with you this year! I would love to color one of your linearts this year *u* Maybe we could switch things up. The colors really came out so beautifully and I can't thank you enough for all your support in 2014. From being awesome & shady undiscovered Instagram artists & mention-promoting each other to bringing this lineart to life, you've been an awesome person to have around this year :D



:iconmoonangel21:
#DABestie!!! Watching your art come back to life this past year was great! So glad you have a new sketchbook and you're drawing again! We still need to do that art trade ASAP! Get thinkin with me and eventually we will have something awesome. Thank you for being such a huge supporter of my work. You're a reason I'm still doing what I do today and I really appreciate everything you've done for me!

:iconaara-chan:
My first friend ever on DA :heart: Crazy that we are still goin at it. You've known me since I was what, 12??! Since I was doing this??
THe Dream Catcher by TGA-Tsurugii
Almost 10 years ago!! :lmao: It was so amazing to meet you in Chicago this year. Next time I'm there, we definitely have to hang out and maybe do some coffee shop sketches outside of cons :star: You have made such an impact on my life, enouraging me since day 1, even with my poop art from back then. :heart: You're definitely responsible for how far I've come since then. Hope to see you ASAP!

The Manga Crew

geijutsusakuhin Thank you for continuing to be an inspiring mentor to me. Although we haven't seen each other in a while, I frequently think back to the days when all I had to worry about was being 15 years old and coming to manga class every Tuesday with whatever I was working on and getting help from you and the rest of the manga crew Darkness-Crys ladygaladreil MapMakerSona Thank you guys so much for having such a big influence over me and for supporting me to do what I love. Even after all these years, it continues to inspire me and encourage me. It's the first place I really felt at home, able to be myself and create whatever I wanted. I can truly say I was probably most motivated during that time as well. And your continued support you show by commenting on my work and supporting the Kickstarter and having the book and Tiffy, you framing my prints! >u< It really means a lot to me.So thanks guys. I miss you a lot. :heart:

Lastly, I want to thank anyone who supported The Only Human Project. Your support went directly into my growth as an artist and person and everything that comes after this is truly thanks to you. So thanks for believing in me, my work, and giving my the most memorable year of my life!! Love you guys. Talk to you soon~


:star:
© 2015 - 2024 tga-leylo
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Taly5's avatar
You... omg. I am speechless right now. Haven't been checking dA in a while and I thought nobody even remembers me and then I see this... Needless to say I'm beyond flattered and if I managed to bring a smile to one of my favorite artists ( yes I mean you :P) then.. mission accomplished.

Brain keeps telling me I don't deserve to be in there but I'll just punch myself in the mouth and say thank you! You made my day! (well you made my year with your art book but who's keeping track) I hope 2015 will be at least as good as 2014 seems to have been for you!