In Recognition of Exemplary Membership and an Outstanding Spirit of helpfulness and mentoring within the DeviantArt community.
“My name is Damaris, but most people know me as DamaiMikaz. I’m a self-taught artist from the Netherlands and I’ve been making art ever since I can remember. When I first came to DeviantArt I was pretty much dragged here by my friends, that all worked on original projects. Up until that time, I was primarily a writer and traditional artist. It was DeviantArt that sparked my interest for digital art, and it didn’t just spark my interest, but the community’s willingness to help out people really gave me a good start.
It’s remarkable how easy it is to connect to people on this website over things as simple as original projects and learning how to do art. Following other artists was what helped me to spark ideas and keep drawing.
The tutorials, groups, and helpful reactions on the forums guided me towards becoming a better artist. What I’ve always liked most about art, is how it brings people together. Doing art on your own can be quite lonely and challenging, improving together is a lot easier because it’s more fun.
Over time DeviantArt has become a second home to me. I’ve met amazing artists, got more support than I could’ve ever imagined, and made some of my best friends here. People cheered with me when I was happy and supported me during the darker times in life. Thanks for your support. It has been an amazing journey so far, and I hope we’ll even reach greater heights.”
August 2015
Deviousness Award Winner
DamaiMikaz is one of the most inspiring artists you’ll find on DeviantArt. A long-time dedicated member of the community, her journals regularly provide insight into creating art, inspiration for art and life, and thought-provoking ideas that spark magnetic conversations. Her approach to digital art has kept her creating, growing, and improving throughout the years, and one glance into her gallery is enough to see the progress that she has made and continues to make.
It is with great pride that we name DamaiMikaz the recipient of the Deviousness Award for August 2015.
Showing Some Love
Community Quotes
I have known of DamaiMikaz for a long time … I don’t think there are many deviants who haven’t come across her insanely talented gallery at least once or twice. However, only recently was I able to get to know her better. She is one of the newest mentors at seniormentors but she has already become a valuable, enthusiastic asset to our team. She is open, friendly, and approachable. Her love of DeviantArt and the community within is impossible to miss and it has been inspiring to chat with her and get to know her better! I’m thrilled that she has now received Deviousness, for she truly represents the meaning of this accolade. Congratulations, Damai!”
I find DamaiMikaz to be a wonderful and inspirational voice towards this community! She has such great advice and willing spirit to motivate people here on dA! Her art is also super fabulous! Thank you, Damai for your support and inspiration!”
DamaiMikaz is a super-talented artist who loves the community and is extremely friendly and approachable. I congratulate you dear friend and wish you the best of the best - stay extraordinary.”
I’ve not met many people on DeviantArt who could just downright shock me with their ability to self-market and create a brand around their username within the community - DamaiMikaz is foremost in my mind when I think of people who have, though. She’s so naturally good at making herself known that it’s almost scary. She’s one of those people who are everywhere, sure, but also have wonderful and very recognizable artwork with a personality to match. And whatever she’s doing is working; her name is in everyone’s mind and she has a watcher base that’s literally as big as Samoa. Recently I’ve got to chat with her a bit more since she’s joined the team at seniormentors (she’s giving back to newer artists in the community because she’s just that awesome) and was delighted to find out she’s very nice and personable too. Congrats, Damaris! If anyone embodies the whole “authentically devious” aspect of this award it’s you, hands-down.”
She has said that she would rather be happy than rich or famous. And it seems she’s succeeding. There’s a very positive vibe that she gives off in everything she does. I originally started watching her when she became a senior member, without knowing much about her. It quickly became obvious how she got there. I love when people give back to the community. She does so much, from helpful articles to features to simply being positive. Her support of other artists is inspirational. This award is well deserved.”
DamaiMikaz is such a supportive deviant. She is so open to sharing her knowledge of the big stuff and the little stuff. I enjoy looking at her gallery, but I’m the kind of person who admires the resourcefulness of a person as well, and she’s got that in spades. Want to know how to get more page views? She’s written an article! Got an art-block hovering over you? She’s got you sorted. It’s as if she feels that all that super awesome knowledge in her head simply must be shared. That’s a special gem, make no mistake. Nothing good is good unless it’s shared so other people can learn and shine brightly as well.”
What can I say about DamaiMikaz ? Well she knows how to translate energy onto a digital canvas, whatever she creates, you cannot help but be in awe at the power of her mark making; not only that, but the symbolism she uses to drive a story forward in which we are forced to wonder … somehow like peering up at the stars, where we are left to imagine what else is out there.
Damaris is a humble and charismatic person and there is no doubt she deserves this Deviousness award, Congratulations!!”
I started watching DamaiMikaz over a year ago and I could witness an incredible progress in her artworks (which were great already!). Her gallery is the proof that dedication and hard work can lead you anywhere; on top of that, she’s a really humble person. She gets along with anybody and takes time to leave helpful and nice comments on other people’s deviations: she’s the glue that holds a big part of the community all together.”
Hey, this makes me quite happy! Damai is a huge influence on the site, for me personally she is a motivational symbol. Very straight to the point, logical and practical person. I see her mostly as a speaker, a voice which talks to many! She is that kind of deviant you want to stick around and read what she writes, see what she draws. I enjoy particularly thinking about the messages she presents in her work - thought technically not as developed, it always draws you near. For longer time I hoped she will be presented to wider public - more people should get to know her
(Smile) So yes! It makes me happy! Thanks for giving me a chance to say something cool about her!”
DamaiMikaz is one of those deviants that brings to the table a unique, inspiring style to the art community. With an equally enthusiastic and positive personality to go with it, DamaiMikaz is truly one of a kind! Shine on DamaiMikaz!”
DamaiMikaz is super active in helping the deviant community with her journals, comments and welcoming every new member out there! She is a example for us all as she’s always kind and honest. It’s incredible how much time she has devoted to Deviantart. If anyone deserves this honorable award it’s her!”
DamaiMikaz is indeed a inspiration for the community, whom without skipping a beat cares about the opinions of others.”
Among few well known and famous people of this community she responds to comments and interact with fans.”
