MichelleWalker

My account was hacked. I don't know if anyone noticed but my profile was deactivated (unknown to me) and all of my account was wiped. I thankfully managed to restore my artwork and journals thanks to a very helpful dA staff member but all of my gallery stats (over 3 million artwork views, 150,000+ faves and 10,000+ watchers) are gone. To say I'm gutted is an understatement. I was very proud of the stats I had built up over the years and whilst I know it's not *the* most important aspect of having a dA account, somehow it's not the same knowing that's all been wiped. I still have all of your comments and my journals thankfully, so at least I can read back over them. But still, I feel empty about coming back to dA which is what I had planned to do. If people could spread the word that I am still here and could possibly add me again that would be awesome. And if not, it's not the end of the world and there are far worse things to be getting upset about. Much love to anyone who's reading this! ❤️
them.

Hello to any of my faithful watchers still here and reading this journal! Hope you are all doing fantastic and that life is treating you well. 😊 Looks like another year has flown by and here I am again writing another journal with life updates! I'm doing good - still trying to find my dream job, but hoping things will change as I'm about to do a makeup course in 2 weeks time which I'm hoping will open some more doors for me! I've always loved doing makeup and it means I can be creative and be passionate about what I'm doing too which is something I've yet to find in my career. Love life is great, I'm still with my other half and currently looking to move in together, which is proving difficult in today's property market! Once we get our own place I'm determined to set up my own wee space where I can creative again and start doing commissions if anyone would be interested?! I have such an empty space in my life where my art used to be and I'd do anything to fill it again. ❤️But I'd have to start with basic ones to get me back into the swing of things though. 😉

_{Seems like I'll always be associated with that username}

So first off, thank you all for the lovely welcome back! (I've already fallen behind with responding to comments. ) It actually feels pretty nice to be here again, though I will say straight up that I'm back part-time and can't dedicate as much time to being here as I used to. But since many of you have asked, I'll give you a little life update... there's a cookie at the end for anyone who gets that far!

Currently I am living on my own in a lovely little house by the sea in my hometown. I moved out of my parents' a couple of years ago and this is actually my third property, but I absolutely adore it here! It really feels like home and I feel like I can settle down and start drawing again (hence my presence here on dA). I have a wonderful boyfriend in my life too, and without saying too much, I am a very happy girl these days. Job-wise, I'm still working as a pharmacy dispenser but I'm not loving it as much as I used to and I think a career-change is on the horizon. I have pets as well; two adorable little zebra finches called Link and Squidge. (If you follow me on FB you'll know I had a girl finch, Zelda, but she died so now I just have boys). I got myself into the best shape of my life and I'm loving my fitness and feeling good! So right now, all is well in my life.

But sadly, it hasn't been an easy journey for me and the road to happiness has been a long one! I've had my heart broken, I've suffered mentally and physically, I've done things I'm not proud of and am not prepared to talk about, but I'm here and I'm alive and that's all that matters. It's hard for me knowing that I can't change the past, but I firmly believe that my hard times have led my to where I am now, and I wouldn't change any of it.

And to answer the question you've all been asking, am I drawing again? The answer is... YES. I'm not drawing as much as I used to, but I am drawing! Expect to see artwork now and again in your inboxes (but I won't be updating the comic as I simply don't have the time or interest for that anymore. Sorry Revelations fans!)

Well, if you read all that and survived, go ahead and have that cookie. I hope you all stay healthy and happy, and thanks for having me back!!

Has it REALLY been over two years since I last updated my page? I'm seriously shocked at how quickly time flies by. How is everyone? Who's still here? So much has happened since last time I upaded that I don't even know where to begin! Comment below and I'll see what kind of response I get and I'll write a new journal if there is enough interest.

And if nobody reads this, then oh well...

W-w-what? TWO journals in less than a week?! This is madness In my time spent lurking on dA over the past few months, I can't help but notice that something is "missing". It's extremely hard for me to put my finger on it, but it almost feels like a different site even though technically dA has changed for the better. Is it because we're all growing up and moving on with our lives? I know in my heart that dA will never be the same for me anymore and that I'm never going to experience the things I once did. I invested so much time into this place but I feel that those days are over and they're never coming back. I know there are still many people active whom I met several years ago, but then again, a lot more of you have left... I'm wondering, what keeps you guys here? Is it the art? The friendships? The pageviews? The faves? (The boredom? ) Are you guys still actively here or are you just lurkers now? Do commitments in real life make it harder for you to keep up to date with your account? And do you MISS the deviantArt from yesteryear? Would just like to hear your thoughts on this. After spending time away it's very apparant to me that this is a different dA from the one I remember.

Hope you're all happy and healthy