EDIT 2
EDIT 1
The contest has officially ended.
Thank you to everyone who took part, be it as a contestant, prize donor, or judge! I send all my love to you! 
Results will be up as soon as possible, but since the judges live in different timezones and have obligations outside of DeviantArt, this process will take a while, so please be patient - this is a very hard decision to make!
DEADLINE
This contest starts on April 1st and ends on April 30th 23:59 GMT+2/EET - here's a very helpful link with the countdown to the CATS Contest Deadline.
This contest is looong overdue and what better time to launch it than now, when we're all spending most, if not all of our time inside? Given the tough time we are going through and the social distancing as a direct result of it, it's important to keep ourselves busy and as happy as we can with what we have available.
Initially I was thinking of a theme between the lines on "coming together", but this is already beautifully used in another contest, or something dedicated to "what makes you smile", and although it is a beautiful and positive theme, it cannot be objectively judged or quantified. So, having this in mind, as the host of this contest, I decided to be selfish and instead go with what makes me smile: CATS!
I mean, why not? They are our companions, we love them and they love us, they bring us joy, keep us busy and serve as a safe and cute conversation starter. In a way, I believe those two themes I thought of before can unironically and beautifully be woven into this one. Plus, it's been scientifically proven that cats in videos, photos or (even better) in real life make us happier and healthier (not joking). This is an easy and fun theme and it leaves a lot of space for you to be creative. So, CATS it is!
I'll also leave links to other fun stuff to check out:
Let's get this thing going!
THEME
CATS - Your work must focus on and include at least one domestic cat. Humans and other animals can be depicted alongside the majestic little feline.
ACCEPTED MEDIUMS
All: Photography, Digital art, Traditional art, Artisan Crafts, Literature, Film & Animation, etc. Here are some examples:
All: Photography, Digital art, Traditional art, Artisan Crafts, Literature, Film & Animation, etc. Here are some examples:
RULES - PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY
01 | Each artist is allowed one active entry in the contest.
02 | All artworks must be created specifically for this contest and their upload on DeviantArt must be dated after the start date of the contest. You cannot submit a deviation created or uploaded before April 1st 2020 (For example, your photography will be declined if it's shot on March 15, but uploaded on April 7).
03 | Your artworks must focus on and include at least one domestic cat. Literature submissions must be under 500 words.
04 | The entry has to be completed (finished) and original – no art theft, sketches, WIPs, tracing, bases, collaborations etc. Please respect others and only submit your 100% original entry.
05 | All contest entries must say - Made for "CATS" Contest [here goes the link to this journal] - in the work's description.
06 | You cannot use this entry to enter another contest as well.
07 | If you use references/stock images, you need to have the original artist's permission to use their work as a reference/stock material and you also have to credit them in the work's description. If your resources are your own, you must mention it.
08 | Mature content is not allowed.
09 | If your entry breaks any of the rules stated above, it will be rejected and you will not be able to re-enter with the same work, so make sure to double check everything is in order before submitting it to the contest. If your new submission is rejected again, you are permanently disqualified.
10 | It is recommended, but not required, to watch me so you can receive the contest updates. If you choose to do so, you are free to unwatch when the contest ends.
HOW TO SUBMIT
01 | Submit your artwork on DeviantArt. No Sta.sh links accepted.
02 | Write Made for "CATS" contest [here goes the link to this journal] - in the work's description.
03 | Post the link to your entry on this journal. Do not leave comments on my profile or send me notes with your entry, they will not be taken into consideration.
04 | I will add your entry to the "CATS Contest" folder in my Favourites. Done!
OTHER INFO
01 | You can give your artwork any title and submit it to as many groups as you wish, but don't forget to add - Made for "CATS" contest [here goes the link to this journal] - in the work's description.
02 | Any deviant is welcome to participate in this contest, as long as they are 13 years old or above.
03 | There must be at least 15 participants or the contest will be cancelled.
04 | If you wish to contribute with a donation of whatever nature towards the prizes, leave a comment on this journal.
05 | Prize donors can take part in the contest, but not the judges.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Theme related
Creativity
Quality
PRIZES
1st Place
One year Core Membership
Llama (if not already given) from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Feature from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Free commission sketch of your cat or dog from Nobody
Faves from Nobody
3930 
of which you will be directly receiving:
of which you will be directly receiving: - 600 from Nobody
from Nobody - 500 from Nobody
from Nobody - 200 from Nobody
from Nobody - 200 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody The remaining difference will be received from Nobody.
2nd Place
Nine Month Core Membership
Llama (if not already given) from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Feature from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Faves from Nobody
2400 of which you will be directly receiving:
of which you will be directly receiving: - 300 from Nobody
from Nobody - 300 from Nobody
from Nobody - 200 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 50 from Nobody
from Nobody - 50 from Nobody
from NobodyThe remaining difference will be received from Nobody.
3rd Place
Six Month Core Membership
Llama (if not already given) from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Feature from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Faves from Nobody
1500 of which you will be directly receiving:
of which you will be directly receiving: - 200 from Nobody
from Nobody - 200 from Nobody
from Nobody - 150 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 100 from Nobody
from Nobody - 50 from Nobody
from Nobody - 50 from Nobody
from NobodyThe remaining difference will be received from Nobody.
There will also be 5 special mentions who will each receive:
200
Llama (if not already given) from Nobody, Nobody
Feature from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
All these amazing prizes exist thanks to our very generous donors who are mentioned at the end of this journal. Go show them the love they deserve because this wouldn't have been possible without them. ❤️
OTHER PRIZES
Feature for all entries from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Llama for all participants (if not already given) from Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody, Nobody
Faves for all entries from Nobody, Nobody
One badge style drawing of the person’s character for three contestants chosen by Nobody
JUDGES
ENTRIES
All entries can be seen in the "CATS" Contest Folder in my Favourites.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL PARTICIPANTS
PRIZE DONORS
Prize donations (points, art requests, features, critiques, llamas, watches, favourites, artworks, etc) and promotion of this contest on your pages and groups are greatly appreciated.
By Nobody
