It is really nice to finally see a statement from Angelo, the CEO of deviantART. Not everything I was hoping for, but definitely a welcome opportunity for some form of closure, after the long and arduous month we have all endured. It feels complicated, but good.
I have mixed feelings about the offered proclamation. On one hand I remain angry, for obvious reasons, but on the other I appreciate the kind words. The main emotion I want to convey to you, the community, is that this is a step in the right direction even though it may not live up to the standards that I had set.
I do regret the lack of recognition given to Matt. Matt has every right to be offered praise and be presented with the same "co-founder" status that I received. He was an integral part of the deviantART vision and central in executing that dream.
Matt brought more to deviantART than most realize. It was his idea to turn deviantART in to a free-for-all art site rather than limit it to a particular form of art. His connections within the existing art community of the time were the catalyst that brought so many exceptional artists here. I can remember the days when Matt would comment on each and every single submission to the site!
Matt deserves commemoration. I understand there are lingering issues, but hope they can finally be reconciled.
Angelo was brave to make the statement he made today. I hope he will similarly move forward to settle our legal matters, both positively and as quickly as possible. That is when this chapter will truly be over, for all of us.
Angelo, you know that I have always been available to discuss these issues as well as progress, and I am genuinely interested in your eagerness to settle our remaining disputes. You should know that one remaining issue bothers me. I hope you will contact me in order to address that.
I do not want to seem ungrateful. I honestly thought that I would never witness what happened today; the sentiments are appreciated. However, I feel the need to be firm about what is best for everyone.
A protracted legal battle is no good for anyone here. In this case, it would spend money from subscriptions and print purchases that could better be invested in the site itself. After all, if deviantART is allowed to place proper emphasis on the site itself then everyone benefits. With this will come faster browsing, the long awaited search engine, groups, collections, all the great features the current team is excited about, as well as all the fixes and "lost" features everyone would like restored.
To all of you who have been so concerned, please enjoy deviantART for the art. I know many folks have probably felt guilty to do just that over the course of the last few weeks but I think it is time to move past that. Please remain diligent and never fear questioning the actions of the administration but at the same time, end the politics of character assassination.
Most of all enjoy deviantART for what it is: a website to share art!
Be positive, remain civil, and enjoy yourselves. You great folks have done a lot for me. The extreme acts of kindness that transpired throughout the last few weeks are appreciated more than you will ever know.
Not entirely sure where I go from here. While deviantART has been my home for the last 5 years I do not know if I can, or want to, still call it that. I do not know how much I will be around.
It will definitely be nice to talk about other things for a change. It will be nice to move on. It could not have happened until today.
Always remember.
Scott Jarkoff, aka jark, aka The Yellow Alien, loves you.
