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Hello, everypony.  Boy, it’s been a long time since I’ve done this.  Let’s see if I remember how...

To be honest, I’m not even sure where to begin, having been asked to come back and make this last post.  It’s been so long since I’ve been away; leaving all this in the extremely capable hooves of Fetch, Flurry, and Jez.  It’s like coming back to where you grew up, and finding it’s moved on without you.  It’s a strange combination of bone-deep familiarity... and a sense that everything has changed forever.  I have so many thoughts and feelings about all of this - pride and regret, happiness and sorrow.

In a word: it’s incredibly bittersweet.  But I suppose endings often are.

It’s been a journey; an incredible journey, upon which I met so many people along the way - many of whom are now some of the most important people in my life.  And it was a journey I’m proud to have shared with so many of you.  The route wending like a river; many ponies coming together to walk the same vast road, eventually breaking off into a thousand meandering paths, each going their own direction, each changed by the time spent together.  

At least, I know that I have been; and I hope you were, too.

I’m not doing a very good job of this, I realize.  Trying to come up with the right things to say, I went back and found my first journal entry.  Maybe me-then could guide me-now from the past, reaching out across the years (years!) that separate the two of us.  I’m not so sure he can, though.  I found there someone younger, more energetic, more upbeat - qualities I could try and mimic now, but they would ring hollow.

Plus, I don’t really know that now is the time for pep and hijinks.  Seems like it would be in poor taste when writing the last post of such a wonderful group.

And it really has been a wonderful group.  I mean that, from the bottom of my heart - I know I’ve not been around in ages, but all the time I spent with this group are some of my proudest and fondest memories, and I have all of you to thank for that.

And to think that I never even intended to be a part of anything like it!  Obviously, Phoe was the catalyst, starting and running the first NATG, providing prompts and encouraging artists.  Then Nullh came along, and was the madman daring enough to set this group up after I’d told him it was a good idea as a way of keeping everyone in touch after the NATG ended…  And he promptly made me an admin for it, whether I liked it or not.  He was the Gandalf to my Bilbo, shoving me out my door into a wonderful adventure…  And we all have him to thank (or blame, if that’s more your style) for getting this party started.  Without his prodding, none of this would have happened, and I know my life would have been the poorer for it.

It was a crazy time, running this madhouse alongside some other great admins thrust into the role.  Sometimes it was hard, or frustrating; sometimes there was friction behind the scenes.  But no matter what, at the end of the day, I enjoyed it, and was glad to have the co-admins I did.  I always felt we had an amazing group of people doing the job, and I was extremely lucky to have them along for the ride.  Thank you, all of you.

And now, to see that those entrusted with running the group for so long after I left have run it for so long…  I don’t even know what to say.  You all have done an amazing job - and for far, far longer than anyone could have possibly asked.  I can’t thank each of you enough for keeping this ball rolling, the themes thought of, the wrap-ups written… And the group living.  Thank you all, so, so much.

And speaking of wrap-ups: to those of you who participated in this, our final week; thank you, and well done!  The gallery can be found here: Wrap Up Blog!  There’s nothing quite like a good final battle to really wrap things up in a story - everything else is just the gathering of whatever loose threads remain.

So now…  It’s time to gather those loose threads here, and close the doors of the MLP-ATG-Alumni.  

And while it's hard, and hurts, that's okay.  There were so many things I loved about this group, but most of all, I loved watching the same folks submit week after week, growing in confidence as artists…  Even while knowing that someday, they would no longer need us.  That they would spread their wings and leave the nest for good.  And now…  Enough of you have flown, soaring aloft unaided, that it just doesn’t make sense for us to keep that nest occupied, so to speak.  

But, despite closing the doors on new themes or new submissions, the group will stay up - able to be visited at any time, it’s galleries still available to browse.  It will stand as a testament to all of you who ever participated over the years it ran - your effort, your skill, your growth as artists.  Whenever you’re in doubt of how good you are, we’ll be here for you to see where you came from, and how you’ve grown.  Also, a bunch of us have gathered on Discord as our home away from home.  As ever, we’re happy to have you come join us, if you’d like.

And finally: all of you artists…  Without you - each and every one of you, over the years - none of this would have been possible.  It would have just been a hoof-full of us chatting about the first NATG, or putting themes up for no reason.  It was all of you that really made this group what it has been; and I can never, ever thank you enough for the time, effort, and most of all, heart that you all put into this place.  It would have been nothing without you, and I am so glad to have been able to be a part of it.  It's been a beautiful ride.




So here’s to you: each and every one of you - artists, admins, and contributors alike - who who made this mad, wonderful group happen over the years.  May your pencils never dull, your erasers never smear, and your inks never bleed…  




And may you always have an idea for what to draw next.
More Journal Entries

Gallery Folders

Featured
Week 382 - Climactic Battle or Final Challen
ATG S8 Week 23 - The Final Battle by Jezendar
In the Fire of the Nightmare {Timelapse] by Lux-The-Pegasus
Week 381 - Parents or A Reunion
Soarin Cadance Reunion by ekas86
Week 380 - A Foreigner or Exotic Pony
Meditations by AaronMk
Week 379 - Being Tested or Facing Fears
Spoon and Fork Attachment by AaronMk
Week 378 - Out of Place or Finding Their Place
ATG S8 Week 19 - Out of Place by Jezendar
Week 377 - Pony in Danger or Risky Venture
ATG S8 Week 18 - Dangerous Quest by Jezendar
She Rigged It by ekas86
Week 376 - On the Road or On a Journey
Week 376. On the Road by AnimatorWil
Journey ahead by ilCorvoblu
Road Trip! by GreenflyArt
ATG S8 Week 17 - The Return of Tripsie by Jezendar
Week 375 - Pony Musicians or Making Music
Week 375. Countess by AnimatorWil
Tenere by AaronMk
A song of fire and friendship by ilCorvoblu
ATG S8 Week 16 - Lyrist by Jezendar
Week 374 - Pony Archaeology or Artifacts
ATG S8 Week 15 - Archaeological Discovery by Jezendar
Week 373 - Undercover or Pony Investigation
ATG S8 Week 14 - Undercover Operation by Jezendar
Week 372 - Storytelling or A Pony Fairy Tale
ATG S8 Week 13 - A Story's Impact by Jezendar
Week 371 - Rock or Metal Ponies
Week 371. Family Picnic by AnimatorWil
Week 370 - Pony Pet or Animal Companion
Druidshy by Jezendar
Week 369 - Pony Rivalries
Week 369 - Say It To My Face by AnimatorWil
Week 368 - Pretending or Imaginary Friends
Week 367 - Beach Time or Pony Swimsuit
Teeny Tiny Painting by TunRae
Week 366 - Enjoying the Weather or Rainy-day
Fickle Weather by TunRae
Week 365 - Crimefighters and Caped Ponies
Never enough of Trixie! by TunRae
Week 364 - Scheming Pony or Sinister Villain
ATG S8 Week 12 - Vengeful Scheme by Jezendar
Week 363 - A Pony Tutor or Learning
Week 363 ATG - This Weekend by AnimatorWil
Week 362 - Pony Changing or Transformation
Twilight ant Anti-Twilight by patrykoe
Week 361 - In Love or Love Hurts
ATG S8 Week 9 - Love Bundle by Jezendar
Weeks 356 - 360
Week 360 - Unlimited Power by AnimatorWil
Weeks 351 - 355
Natg-355-improvising by the-mysterious-ponyX
Weeks 346 - 350
Sea Prince by Jezendar
Weeks 341 - 345
The Pony Cool by Lux-The-Pegasus
Weeks 336 - 340
Week 340 ATG - Holiday Hugs by AnimatorWil
Weeks 331 - 335
Love Throungh The Eyes by Lux-The-Pegasus
Weeks 326 - 330
ATG S7 Week 22 - Rock Pie by Jezendar
Weeks 321 - 325
The Headless Horse :o by TwoMakesAParty
Weeks 316 - 320
Sentiment and Emotion [Timelapse] by Lux-The-Pegasus
Weeks 311 - 315
So I'm a princess of friendship - Twilight Sparkle by patrykoe
Weeks 306 - 310
Week 310 ATG - Shipping Mare by AnimatorWil
Weeks 301 - 305
To the moon... by TunRae
Weeks 296 - 300
Come into my Parlour by TunRae
Weeks 291 - 295
Week 293 - Sombra The Collector by AnimatorWil
Weeks 286 - 290
Encounter in the Snow by Jezendar
Weeks 281 - 285
ATG Week 285 - Follow Me Young One by vaser888
Weeks 276 - 280
ATG Week 280  - My Flying Mind by vaser888
Weeks 271 - 275
ATG Week 275 - Sunset Hill Chill by Speedy526745
Weeks 266 - 270
Cossack Changeling by AaronMk
Weeks 261 - 265
MLP-ATG Alumni Week 265 by Rainboom-Dash
Weeks 256 - 260
Twilight05 by thelordhimself
Weeks 251 - 255
ATG-A-255 - 'Abandon ship!' by Lemon-Bitter-Twist
Weeks 246 - 250
ATG VIII - Day 1: Amethyst by LightDragon1988
Weeks 241 - 245
reflection ponyville Background by Lux-The-Pegasus
Weeks 236 - 240
Old Rites by AaronMk
Previous Weeks
Bonus Themes
Classic Training Grounds Folder
WIPs and Work to Critique
Lineart: Seapony Flares Midnight by illumnious
Guides and Other Helpful Things
[STUDY] Stallion's Skeleton by Sooshimaru

Affiliates

:iconmlp-fim-pg: MLP-FIM-PG Connecting Bronies :iconequestriachile: EquestriaChile :iconmlpsoawesome: MlpSoAwesome 20% Cooler Art :iconmlp-fim-tpm: MLP-FIM-TPM Let your art Travel! :iconmlpfriendshipismagic: MLPFriendshipIsMagic The Original MLP:FiM Group!

Deviants

Admins

Admins


:iconnullh::iconjezendar::iconhazzdawg::iconfetchbeer::icontrixingno::iconinvidlord::iconarcum89:

Founder


:iconlunarapologist:

Contributors


:iconphoekun::iconatlur::iconbeechsprout::iconcrisp-da:

Quick Navigation

Since we have so many folders we don't really know what to do with, I think its high time we have a quick navigation to important locations of the ATG here.



NATG
NATGII
Mock War

Important Info

Lost? Confused? Or just looking to know everything about everything?

Here is FAQ v1.3!

WIPs and Work to Critique folder information.




Looking for a quick list of previous themes?

Here it is!




After submitting your work to us via dA, please click here to upload your work for the weekly wrap-up.

Enter in your name, link to your image, and add any comments you want, it would be very much appreciated! Doing so will make wrap-ups quicker and comments easier :)

(Username is "artist" and password is "twilight" - no quotes, no caps! It's just there to keep the spambots out ;))




IRC CHAT:

For those of you looking to talk to your fellow artists of the ATG we have a few IRC channels for that.

Some of you may not know exactly what an IRC is so feel free to look at this for some help and info on that.

IRC Server List - All are on the same network.
irc.digibase.ca
irc.kitsunet.net
irc.kitsuria.net

IRC Channel:
#mlp-atg-alumni

Comments


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:iconpixelmaster9000:
pixelmaster9000 Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
o: cool site!
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
On behalf of the admins; I thank you!
We're really just stealing ideas dreamt up but Sethisto, Cereial and Phoe over at Equestria Daily though, so we can't take much credit. Without the ATG I wouldn't even be drawing now :)
Reply
:iconthattagen:
Thattagen Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Thattagen here! My DA name is kinda dumb, and I don't really use it too often. I think thattagen was taken...

Anywho, I'd better start uploading my better submissions, and fixing up my worse ones. I wonder if maybe I should redo my first day's? That one was awful!
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
You should see mine! :D
Reply
:iconvirgarainboom:
VirgaRainboom Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011
Yay.
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Woo!
Reply
:iconwindfallpony:
WindfallPony Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011
I'm so glad this group exists, let the artistry go on!
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Right, I'm off out to dinner. Fancy!
Requests might get backed up until one of the other admins wakes up, but we'll still get to you. Fret not!

If you've submitted something before this and it's not been responded to, then I've accidentally ignored it. Just submit again and one of us will catch it.
Reply
:iconargembarger:
Argembarger Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
Hey bronies.

I'm glad this group exists. I became a brony around roughly the time of the 17th day of this event and joined in on the 18th. I had never really drawn anything seriously (like, more than stick-figure cartoons) before this event.

My submissions were all terrible. The event did prompt me to buy a cheap starting tablet, however. Maybe I'll go over and redo all of my submissions with it. Make them nice and inky and such.

First I have to figure out how to use the damn thing, though.
Reply
:iconkittyhawk-contrail:
kittyhawk-contrail Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Yeah. I got a tablet too. You can see on a few of my submissions where I used it

~color~

But vector-tracing my own art takes way too long. Day 30 took 11 hours, The mythos one (4 charcaters) took 7. So it's a PITA for me to vectorize my own work. I want to learn how to draw using the tablet directly. If you find any good resources let me know please!
Reply
:iconargembarger:
Argembarger Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
11 hours!? :O

</rather intimidated>
Reply
:iconkittyhawk-contrail:
kittyhawk-contrail Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Heh. Well that does include fetching dinner and scanning and uploading and agonizing about what to draw.

But yeah, phoe's comment about how it was fun to watch my mind go as they progressed is spot on.
Reply
(1 Reply)
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Hey ~Argembarger!
I hope this is exactly the sort of thing we can help with :) Stuff is still normalising here, but over the next week I hope we'll start getting our direction together.
Reply
:iconmoabite:
Moabite Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011
I missed quite a few days for the ATG and would like to do them anyway now that it's over. Is it OK to submit them here even if they weren't in the original event?
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
I say do it! EqD will be keeping the archives of the original ATG, we're here to help carry on your growth as artists. If you wanna fill in a day you missed, I think you're well within your rights to do it!
Reply
:iconerthilo:
Erthilo Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011
Oooerr, if everything has to go through someone before being submitted, then I would like to respectfully request to help out in some way.

In other news, this event really did inspire alot of people. I hope that everyone got something out of this event, I know I did!
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Cheers for the offer, but it seems like we're ticking over OK at the minute. :)

In case you're wondering about the approvals, all we're doing is checking for inappropriate stuff and trying to make sure things are in the right folder.
Reply
:iconmuffinsforever:
Muffinsforever Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist General Artist
What about pics that cover multiple themes? One of my newest has 3 in it, and 2-3 of my best has 2 in em.
Reply
:iconnullh:
Nullh Featured By Owner Jun 26, 2011  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Yeah, that's a thorny issue I'd not thought about. I've mad a Multiple Themes folder , I think they'd best go in there.
Reply
(1 Reply)
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