April's TOP Subs of Unframed-Nature and NEWS!

Welcome to APRIL 2013’s Top Submissions of Unframed-Nature.


Thank you for being here whether you are a Member yet or not!
We welcome you and your support!

We continue to grow each month, with more talented artists of a variety of art media!
We are nearly at 4,000 Members!


A GRAND Welcome to ALL of Our NEW MEMBERS!

   

And a HUGE thank you to our loyal Members who have been submitting your fabulous Nature Work to our Group for a long time now.
Without you, we simply wouldn’t be here.



We usually have an ALL-MEMBERSHIP voting, as we believe this is the Group's Group, but once in a while, we have a few months during the year, where only the Admins. vote.

For APRIL, we had an ALL-Membership voting, and so we thank ALL of the Members and Admins., who took some time out to vote on what they thought were the best submissions for the month-
we appreciate their time and efforts!



If you have not yet seen this, it would be a great idea to do so, since we do have a couple changes in our original general folders, and also since we have added NEW folders for 2013:
COMPLETE FAQ and Folder Rules for Unframed-Nature:iconhappysunplz: Welcome to Unframed-Nature,
and to Our NEW Complete Group FAQ & Folder Rules for 2013! :iconhappysunplz:
:iconcip25::iconcip26::iconcip27::iconcip28::iconcip29::iconcip26::iconcip25:
:iconwhiteflowerplz: Introduction and Welcome! :iconwhiteflowerplz:
First, I would like to take a moment to wish ALL of our Admins., Members, and Friends of our Group,
A TRULY WONDERFUL YEAR in 2013!
:iconnewyear2plz:
Below you will find our Group's New FAQ, New Folder Rules, and New Folders for 2013.
This Group News Article, intends to contain everything you need to know, in order to understand what we are about at Unframed-Nature, and what types of art work we are looking for, in each one of our folders.
We have made a few changes to our current folders, in order to hopefully clarify a few issues we've had during the past year, and we've added a few NEW folders, in hopes to give more meaning to our group, with both a

If you only need to know something very particular, scroll to the section that you need.

Also, for your convenience, and the convenience of our Admins., the inside of each gallery folder has all the information and rules for each folder!


Let’s continue to submit our own BEST QUALITY work, enjoy it, improve upon it, enjoy the work of others, and Nature in general. It’s what it’s all about-
combining our art with our love of Nature, and coming together under that commonality!

Without further ado...


Please Enjoy The Voted Top Submissions of APRIL 2013.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SELECTED IN APRIL!

[ Each section/folder has a small group, at the VERY TOP, where those had received just slightly more votes. These will be copied to the Featured Folder.
The others are in no particular order.]


From: Birds, Invertebrates, Aquatics, Amphibians, Reptiles



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From: Wild Animals




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From: Domestic MAMMALS


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From: Nature Much Closer





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:thumb366190869: :thumb368817218:
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From: All ‘Scapes




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RE-Featured From: “The Group’s Donors’ Folder”
To be Copied to the Featured Folder, and then eventually 'd by:
Unframed-Nature-PTS


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:thumb356382585::thumb354056181::thumb363663591:
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Our Group’s MOST Recent Donors of POINTS






:bigthumb301858756::bigthumb302515503::bigthumb304565755::bigthumb320968562:
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and

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Our Group’s MEMBERS of THE MONTH

Thank you to these fabulous Members who have been loyal to our Group in various ways- submitting their work, plus voting each month, and supporting our Group in many other ways, too!
We are very grateful to them for all they do and for being a fantastic part of our Group here!


Nestharon
:bigthumb279167166::bigthumb216133604::bigthumb264101225:
:bigthumb291003347::bigthumb299874648:

nordfold





Promoted to Moderator

Thank you for all of your hard work, loyalty, and diligence with our group! You're awesome!!

Melinda RavingEagleMedia






Admins. for Unframed-Nature!


We are still taking applications if you are interested in joining our team!
Please read the following application, and then answer the questions inside, and then NOTE your answers to me,
Tea, TeaPhotography

Administrator Application for Unframed-NatureUnframed-Nature's Application for Administrative Position
Accepting Applications for Administrator Positions at Unframed-Nature is now: OPEN!
Introduction
Before you apply, please know that volunteering for a large and active group here on dA, such as Unframed-Nature is a real and true commitment, which will take up some of your time on at least a weekly basis, maybe more.
Unframed-Nature is special in many ways, but from an Administrative view point, it is very special because we have always had good luck with our current Administrators, most of which have been with the Group, as Administrators, for a very long time.
We are a very friendly Team, both with each other, and with the Members, as well. This means when we do have to decline works, we do give a reason, and we are friendly about it.  It means, that upon occasion if there is something that we disagree about within the Admin. Team, we disagree nic

And remember, it is NOT as formal as it looks, and of course you do NOT need to know everything,
but it is a very helpful tool for us to assess who might know what.





Our Group’s NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS!

Our Next BIG CONTEST...
is CLOSED, and nearing the END of the Judging Process.
The results will be out in another few days... thank you for your patience!



Read ALL About it HERE:

Unframed-Nature's EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY Contest!:iconjoyloveplz: Welcome to Unframed-Nature's Next BIG Contest :iconjoyloveplz:
:iconearthplz: Spring THEME 2013: "Earth Day, Every Day" :iconearthplz:
About Earth Day, And How It Relates To This Contest
Earth Day is Global Holiday which began in 1970!
This year in 2013, this international celebration which aims to promote awareness, education, and action in order to help preserve and protect our Nature on Earth, falls on Monday, April 22nd!
I have gotten to know more and more about many of our very skilled and creative Members. As a result, I have come to realize that not only do we truly enjoy and love Nature, but I have gotten the feeling that so many of our Members genuinely CARE about our planet, and CARE about wanting to be helpful in protecting the beauty and our natural resources, that we seem to love so very much.
There are so many environmental issues, which do, in fact, adversely affect Earth, our common home.
Sometimes, it can seem

HUGE PRIZES!!!



TO SEE ALL OF THE SUBMISSIONS, GO HERE: unframed-nature.deviantart.com…

You will just LOVE them!



Upcoming Themes

Because we've had a BIG CONTEST all through April, and part of May,
we did not have monthly Themes, during those months,
and there will be no theme in June, either, to give a bit of a break to all of us.

We PLAN to resume Monthly Themes in July:

Idea for JULY'S MONTHLY THEME "TWO OF A KIND"
Details to be Announced, later.





Coming SOON...

Our VERY Special Edition News Articles, have begun!

Volume One:

Unframed-Nature's Special Edition Article VOL. 1:iconhello3plz::iconhello4plz:
:iconsmileandwaveplz:
:iconcuteheartzblue: Welcome to Unframed-Nature's Special Edition Article, Vol. 1 :iconcuteheartzblue:
:iconlovethesunshineplz: MAIN PURPOSE :iconlovethesunshineplz:
In Addition to our FIVE original folders that we've had since the beginning of 2012,
and the News Folder that we added in the middle of 2012,
we added FIVE Special Folders to our Group, at the beginning of 2013.
WHY DID WE DO THIS?
The main reason we did this, was to bring a deeper meaning to our Group, as far as our love and concerns for Nature.
With special news articles after every three months, which will reflect the work submitted to these folders, we are able to help share and spread awareness about particular issues that have an impact on Nature, which we would likely care about given the original idea for this group, to begin with.  If you joined this group it is because you love and care about Nature,

Next one due in JULY!

Please tell others about these special folders, so that more Group Members and Potential Members,
will have the benefit of submitting to them!






Points for Our Group

First of all, Unframed-Nature can not thank enough our very generous Members, and Administrators alike, who have Donated and continue to Donate Points to our Group! A few of them have done so, multiple times!



As we look to 2013, for our Group here, we DO plan on having AT LEAST our TWO MAIN BIG Contests, that we usually host- one in the Spring and one in the Autumn...
the first one of 2013, is IN PROGRESS!

We would also like to host more Monthly Themes, which we treat as Mini-Contests!

We have had two monthly themes so far... and we hope to resume them in July, Sept., and Aug.



And of course we would like to have enough again, to renew our Super Group later in 2013...

To achieve the above in a great way, feel free to donate to our Group!

The Widget is HERE:
Unframed-Nature-PTS

Any and ALL Donations are always HIGHLY appreciated... and you will read there how you will be recognized and rewarded for your kind generosity!






Affiliate Groups’ NEWS & CONTESTS

is an awesome wonderful Group!
It’s where “Wishes Can Come True!”
So if you have a dA wish, come check us out!
We also hold and participate in a variety of special and positive activities...

Here are our most recent Articles:
WishingWell WeeklyThe Wishlist | Granted Wishes | Featured Member | Featured Print
Point Features | Well Wishes | Tuesday Treats | Feature Friday | Wish Jump May 17 2013 GRANTEDEDIT 8: GRANTED! Missing Features will be added during the weekend
EDIT 7: 398 points remain!
EDIT 6: 551 points remain!
EDIT 5: 641 points remain!
EDIT 4: 983 points remain!
EDIT 3: 1068 points remain!
EDIT 2: 1764 points remain!
EDIT: We're down to 1914 points left!
Hello~ :icondancingfrogplz: We're trying to complete the missing ancient wishes from the list; we granted one today (used to be 8 so now it's down to 7 wishes remaining from that list-let's see what can be done!)
We'll display the occasional wish per month (normally 2 wishes) ; ones that will require quite a bit of work. We'll all work together to grant that wish. Remember, you don't need to completely grant to help. In fact, that's what we're encouraging. You can help, little by little. Each helper will be rewarded. Here's our wish:
   
   
Authors-Club wishes for supergroup status; so far, their donation account Authors-Club-Fund has received a combined total of 2782 points from various members so ther Fabulous FridaysWelcome to Fabulous Fridays! 
Here at #dAWishingWell We aim to grant wishes. However, we can only do this with the help of active members.
Here is a thank you to the outstanding deviants who have granted many wishes lately!. 
This feature is now Bi Weekly, in case you didn't notice from two weeks ago.
`Emerald-Depths 

Granted: 150 points (each) have been given to =Emberguard, *Sunnimi, *TheTwinkieDragon, and ~Wragziez
:bigthumb372013473: Tuesday Treats: Heartbeats!... kathump kathump kathump ...
Heartbeats mean so much! It means life, it means love, it means acceptance, it means security, and so much more! What does a beating heart signify to you? What does your heart beat for (or who)? Find a deviation that shows how, why or what your heart beats for and link it in a comment on this blog! One deviation per member please. Each submitted deviation will be featured in the next TT! Enjoy and have the best day ever!

Last week, we were chillin'...

Have a suggestion? Just send the group a note with subject of Tuesday Treats Suggestion! Monday MusesWelcome to our new activity on Mondays - Monday Muses!
It's all about the artists and artworks that inspire you!
There are many ways someone can be an inspiration. By displaying inspiring community spirit, or providing helpful resources for example. Or maybe you just stumbled over an amazing artwork that simply knocked you off your feet and inspired you to make something of your own right away.
No matter what it is, we want you to share it!
Simply pick an artist or deviation you find inspiring in some way, and post them in a comment on this journal. Please also include why you chose that artist or artwork.
Your suggestions will be featured next week!
_________
This week's Muses are:

"A fabulous emoticonist and simply an amazing person, he brings such funny emo

Come check out this amazing group, and help us make dA dreams come true!



is a positive group spinning the world of dA NEWS your way!
Simply JOIN, to find out what’s going on in the dA world around YOU!
We, our group, of Unframed-Nature has been featured with them many times,
among so many wonderful things reported here... It’s a work of heart.  

Some great examples:
CR Newsletter - March/April 2013 Director of Community Relations :iconmoonbeam13: :
Table of Contents
1. Gallery Makeover Project
2. Volunteer Openings in Community Relations
3. Community Projects
4. Official Contests
5 Project Educate 2013
6. Art History Project
7. The Artist's Toolbox
8. Celebrating Diversity
9. News from the Chats and Forums
10. News from the Galleries
1. Gallery Makeover Project
About the Project
Trad. Typography
Fan Art
dA related
Digital Art > Drawings & Paintings 
Vector
Vexel
<a wytiwyg="1" href="http://fav.me/d5xltkn"> Multi-Submit and Scheduled SubmitTwo heavily requested tools to make submitting art to deviantART even easier than before have just been launched to Beta Testers!
Multi-Submit

Multi-submit is a tabbed interface built into the Submit page which allows you to upload and submit multiple deviations at once.
There are several ways to upload multiple files:
Drag and drop several files onto the Submit page at once. Select several files from your Sta.sh by opening the "Select file from Sta.sh" modal and dragging to select, or by using control+click (command+click, for Mac users) to highlight several files at once.
Submit an entire stack from your Sta.sh by hovering over a stack and clicking Submit!You can then change settings for each one, and then save them for later or submit them to your gallery. In addition, the Submit page will retain the order and settings of any files uploaded, even if you navigate away fro
Journal/Gallery Skin Feature: LightHere is a generous feature of 'Light' themed journal and gallery skins. Hope you enjoy the features!
   
  
   
 Basic White Journal Skin by danlev :thumb299618539: 
Gallery Skin CSS - CLEAN and SWEET by Kaoyux :thumb315436117: Gallery Design - Joyjoyjoy by SanguineEpitaph 
Coffee Journal CSS by kuschelirmel-stock :thumb362178614: .:Pink Cross by GinkgoWerkstatt 
#DevNEWS Front Page Design by gillianivyart
It's still day one of eCSSited's birthday celebration weekend. We have plenty more planned, so go and watch or join the group if you want to stay updated. CSS Did You Know? - May 16th, 2013Volume 11
:iconcss-dyk:
Welcome
CSS can be difficult when you're unfamiliar to it. So that's why we're writing these articles! If you have any suggestions or would like to write a section in future CSS Did You Know? articles, please note CSS-DYK.
Inside
Journals are like Ogres by gillianivyart
Color Models and Transparency by jonarific
:icongillianivy:
Journals are like Ogres
They both have layers!  And they both can make you cry.  The deviantART journals have two different structures.  The original 'Old School' layout where everything is named .journalbox, etc.  And my preference, the newer gruze structure.  I prefer the gruze expressly because it is chockful of layers.  Kinda like cake or onions, but ogres makes sense too.  You can still make a basic simple journal skin with the gruze structure and it has so man Syn's Dithering TutorialWhat is dithering?
Dithering is a pixel art process used to blend blocks of colour together or help apply a texture to a pixelled surface. Within emoticons it is most commonly used when making pixelled backgrounds, however it can be used in a number of other areas, e.g. massive emote bases, pixel objects etc. In this tutorial, we will focus on how 2 colours can be blended with dithering.
To break dithering down into simple terms, it is achieved by simply taking the colours from the two blocks of colour and placing individual pixels of each on the opposite side. This creates a region where the two colours merge together to create a more blended colour transition instead of a clear line between the two.
Dithering can seem like a complex process, but it's really not. Once you get the basic idea and technique, it's just all about practice and over time you'll learn how to apply it to a number of different situations. There are many dithering styles which can be




promotes Positivity!
Current Contests, Projects, and Initiatives:

Heart Art Submissions Open!Heart Art Curator MamaLantiis
Submit HeartArt Here
March Week 1 Art Finalists!
  
March Week 3 Art Finalists!
10 Super Group Status Project-Major Changes Grant supergroup status to 10 community focused groups.
Your group doesn't have to be large by any means, just aimed to support the community and your fellow deviants.
I can't do it without you. If you'd like to donate, go Here or go to Astrikos and click through drop down menus.
All donations from here on out will go to that cause! Thank you!
If you see a group that has a community based goal, come and tell me. (notes) I will track it and at the end, I will use a randomizer to select 10 of those groups.
I will feature the donators. (when the goal is reached.)
Thank you.
Other things you can do besides donations
this article so more people can see it.
Super Groups Wishes~ Comment here if you know a group to be eligible
Request basis.  CLOSED!
:icontheartofmanipulation: :iconstargroups: :icondeviantartheroes: :iconrising-artists: :icon
Come check out our other Initiatives, Projects, and Features!




one of our newest Affiliates,
is truly a MOST beautiful beautiful group, which lives up to its "enchanting" name!
Their TWO most recent News Articles:
:bigthumb372140324: Enchanting Nature Feature IIHello everyone!
This feature is dedicated to showcasing the most charming, beautiful and breathtaking photos I've come across! I hope you enjoy it and find new additions to your faves. Some of these artists are underexposed and really deserve some attention!
 
 
 

 

Abiogenesis II by asalisinasa
Daisy by DanielHeydecke 
A Life Lived by andyhutchinson
r e d e m p t i o n by poppy412 Green vs Purple by WTek79
It is worth checking out this group, and please feel free to JOIN!




is hosting a Contest called:
"April Showers Bring May Flowers"
Read all about it HERE:
:bigthumb368584754:



dear friend and supporter of our Group,
is hosting a Contest about CLOSE-UP Flowers!
Please read:
:bigthumb368445614:
And do consider joining this contest!




is hosting a BIG and Year-Long Community Project called:
“Art for Trees”
Read about this wonderful and worthy project HERE:
Art for Trees - project:iconspringtree-1plz::iconspringtree-2plz::iconspringtree-3plz::iconspringtree-4plz::iconspringtree-4pl5:
"When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second best time? Today."
- Chinese proverb
2014: This is the 3rd year of the project. There are many people supporting it, featuring it in their journal and offering art. BUT... There have been NO trees planted for it in the last year (I don't count mine). So, instead of talking about it, how about getting up and actually planting a tree, if you are able to? There is a lot of wonderful art waiting for you as a reward!
Trees are important, valuable and necessary to our very existence. It's not too hard to believe that, without trees we humans would not exist on this beautiful planet. Trees are the largest and longest living organisms on earth. To grow tall the tree has become a miracle of engineering and a complex chemical factory. It is able to take water and



The FOUNDER of the above Affiliate Group,
who is also a very good friend and support to our group HERE,
is hosting a really fun and wonderful GAME here on dA, and you could
WIN HALF the Points in her POINTS POOL!
Check out the Article about it HERE:
sifro. - solve the codes and win points!  May/10/2016 - The game is still alive! simbalm solved it in under one day, winning 303 points!
July/7/2014 - After a year and half, we finally have a next winner! It's Dimensionwalker21, winning 360 points. Congratulations!
Dec/24/2012 - We have a next winner! It's WintersRead, winning 306 points!
Nov/11/2012 - The second winner is nuvak! He generously refused the point reward, so there is still a lot of points in the pool for the next winner!
Oct/12/2012 - We have the first winner! It's ninquetari, who wins 475 points!
Aug/1/2012 - The easy day was yesterday! Today, the game begins! And It's just in time for dA's birthday!
START HERE:
First cipher: http://sta.sh/013oovslpt00
RULES:
to participate, you need do one (or both) of the two following things:
a) donate points into the pool on my front page (they are points solely for the
It's awesome! So finally, FEEL FREE to participate.



is a wonderful compassionate group, wanting to make a difference!
If you care about animals, as I know SO many of our own Members here DO,
this IS the group for you!

This group is based on the cause of primarily the protection of DOLPHINS!
Please Read Their Journals about this!
Then consider joining!

Not only will you be a part of a great group,
but at the same time you will part of a VERY worthy cause!




A very friendly group about pets, animals, and nature!
We hope you'll join!
CONGRATS to PetPicks on their recent SUPERGROUP status!!!
It was a wish they made at dAWishingWell about a year ago, and
dAWishingWell finally was able to make this wish come true for them!

To donate points to continue to help them, with possible future contests,
and to maintain their SUPER status, go to the page of the Founder:


To celebrate the wish coming true, we are trying to organize a Contest:
Ready for a contest?Hello members!
Now that we are a super group, we admin have decided to celebrate with a contest!
While we are still working on a theme and date, we'd like to ask you, the members, for prizes.
Anything from llamas to features to points will all be accepted and appreciated.





Affiliate Groups’ CONTEST WINNERS!


WINNERS OF THEIR CONTEST:
"Opposites Attract- Spring & Autumn"

FIRST: with:


RUNNER-UP: with:


HONOURABLE-MENTIONS:


To SEE the FULL ARTICLE, with more features, and info.,
Please go HERE:
Opposites Attract ~ Spring and Autumn Contest!OUR FIRST CONTEST - "Opposites Attract" ~ Spring & Autumn
YAY!!  How Exciting, our first contest at the Inspiration Station!  :icongottadanceplz:
The theme of the contest revolves around the similarities  AND  the differences between Spring and Autumn, opposite seasons that most of us are experiencing.  So, we want you to come up with some unique and wonderful creations depicting what you feel, could either be any similarities that Spring and Autumn share, or the differences between them.  
For example this could be; weather related, color related, texture related or just a collage of them both...its up to you and your creative imagination and open for interpretation! Photo manipulations are accepted in this instance, BUT please confer with the rules of photo manipulations, before submitting to the contest folder.
1. VERY IMPORTANT RULE - :iconDDRarrowrightplz: Please include the name of the contest in your description of your entry to the
Go forth, and become INSPIRED!




WINNERS of THEIR CONTEST:
"Signs of Spring"

FIRST: with:
:bigthumb294083745:

SECOND: with:


THIRD: with:


RUNNERS-UP:


To SEE the FULL ARTICLE, with more features, and info.
Please go HERE:
'Signs of Spring' Winners!~First Place~
PawelMatys
with






~Second Place~
PassionAndTheCamera
with


Beauty For One Day by PassionAndTheCamera
In Bloom by PassionAndTheCamera Spring Flower Exhibition by PassionAndTheCamera
Dewdrops... by PassionAndTheCamera Psychedelic Zebra by PassionAndTheCamera
Colours of Summer by PassionAndTheCamera
~3rd Place~
cheah77
with

white blossom-cherry by cheah77
Rhododendron--light pink by cheah77 Allium roseum by cheah77
Peist (Arosa)-2 Switzerland by cheah77 illumination by cheah77
:thumb342561925: blue summer by cheah77
fire maple by cheah77
~Runners Up~
Egil21
with

Vacation in Blue by Egil21
Colours of Renewal by Egil21 Magnificent by Egil21
Sweet Memories by Egil21 The Last Sunset by Egil21
Frail by Egil21
adanielescu
with

A Long Drive through Beautiful Mountains by adanielescu
Fairy Dream by adanielescu Warmth by adanielescu
Oregon Sunset by adanielescu Black-Chinned Hummingbird by adanielescu
Antelope Canyon III by adanielescu
DanCrystalis
with

:thumb3529349




HUGE CONGRATS TO ALL!



Thank you for your attention to our Wonderful Affiliates.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you ALL,
Members and hard working Admins. alike!

A SPECIAL HUGE Thanks to my fellow-Admins., who are always doing a truly fantastic job here!
There are just no words great enough to express my utter appreciation for my fellow admins.
I just love our TEAM!





We, at Unframed-Nature hope you have been having Marvelous MAY!
We look forward to seeing more of your sensational submissions,
during the rest of this month!


I know that we are nearing the end of this month, and I apologize that this article is out later than usual this time,
... too much happening.


Remember, if still you are NOT sure about some of the changes that we've made for 2013,
after reviewing them from the Group's FAQ Sheet, or checking inside the folders, feel free to send the Group a Note, and we will do our very bests to help you!



,
Tea
Your Founder