Celebrating Deviousness - August 2025

The Deviousness Award is given to one deviant each month in recognition of their exemplary contributions to DeviantArt and its community and has been a long-standing tradition since DeviantArt’s early years. @Velvet--Glove is the recipient of August 2025’s Deviousness Award, so please join us in congratulating her!

With nearly two decades of dedication to both the art and community of DeviantArt, @Velvet--Glove has become a cornerstone of the fractal art community. Known for her technical mastery of Ultra Fractal, an advanced fractal software, her imaginative and vibrant creations, and, most notably, her tireless support of others, Chris exemplifies the very best of what it means to be devious. 

From detailed tutorials and resource-sharing, to group leadership and mentorship, she has consistently empowered artists to grow and explore their creative potential. @Velvet--Glove ’s gallery isn’t just a feast for the eyes; it’s a legacy of generosity, curiosity, and community spirit that continues to inspire fractalists both seasoned and new. 

It’s our great honor to recognize @Velvet--Glove’s enduring impact with the Deviousness Award for August 2025.

Hi everyone! I'm Chris, a retired lady from middle England. Eighteen years ago, I joined DeviantArt as a fractal art novice, eager to learn. I quickly discovered a vibrant, supportive fractal art community that welcomed and inspired me. The positive response to my early work encouraged me to keep creating and, most importantly, to keep having fun — and I'm still here!

The DeviantArt fractal community helped me grow artistically and master Ultra Fractal (UF), my software of choice. With time and plenty of practice, I became reasonably proficient — so much so that many began to consider me a “master” of UF. This led to lots of “how to” questions about the program, which I was happy to answer both publicly and privately. At one point, we even hosted “Agony Aunt Q&A” sessions in a UF group I helped manage.

In response to all the questions I received, I began writing PDF tutorials and "Top Tip” articles on using UF. I also created downloadable resources like texture packs, custom gradients, and guides on hard-to-find private formulas. My goal was to demystify this powerful but initially challenging software and help others use it efficiently. Creating and sharing these materials was incredibly rewarding and felt like a meaningful way to give back to the community that had become my online home.

Today, I still run @Ultra-Fractal-Redux , a group for UF artists dedicated to sharing and learning together. We host monthly fractal challenges designed to encourage both new and experienced users to experiment with different techniques. We also encourage sharing image parameters: the text-based code that allows anyone with the software to recreate an image. Most of my current work is shared this way so others can explore and learn from it.

As I write this, I realize just how much I genuinely enjoy sharing my passion for this remarkable fractal art program that has brought me so much pleasure over the years. Does that make me devious? I suppose it does! Thank you for this amazing award. I’m truly honored.

Community Love

From @LukasFractalizator

I’ve been following Chris' work ever since I joined DeviantArt back in 2014, and even now, her work never ceases to amaze me. She was one of the reasons I decided to give Ultra Fractal a go — but after finding out how difficult it was to master (at least for me), I came to admire her skills even more. Every piece she published had a reason, a story, a soul behind it, and that's exactly what art is supposed to be about. 

On top of her awe-inspiring artwork, Chris has written several tutorials, including an Ultra Fractal guide for beginners, giving everyone a chance to learn the basics of this amazing (though now sadly abandoned) software, among many, many others. 

It's always thrilling to see fractal art and its artists get this kind of recognition, and @Velvet--Glove absolutely deserves it. Heartfelt congratulations, Chris. Keep inspiring us with your beautiful fractals!

From @Irtimidd

Chris is a passionate, imaginative, and creative artist. Her stunning fractals embellish the DeviantArt landscape and continue to inspire us all.

With 18 years on the site, she’s known as a truly generous and helpful deviant, sharing many thoughtful comments, insightful tips and tutorials. She’s more than deserving of the Deviousness Award recognition.

Congratulations, Chris!

From @Fiery-Fire  

I could probably write pages about the excellence of @Velvet--Glove’s fractals. Her whimsical designs have always enchanted many viewers, from intricate spirals to beautifully blooming florals. One of the more complex styles, creating bubble-like forms, is also her specialty. She’s gifted us with dazzling,  Christmas ornament-like bauble designs that look so dimensional, you’d think they were real!

Beyond sharing her imaginative creations through images, @Velvet--Glove has contributed immensely to the fractal community by preparing and posting countless resources and tutorials. To this day, her group @Ultra-Fractal-Redux runs monthly challenges that educate participants about various formulas and compositions, often via open-params share.

She was one of my first inspirations and teachers when I began learning Ultra Fractal, and I'm proud to call @Velvet--Glove my fractal friend!

From @Ampelosa  

Over the years, @Velvet--Glove has promptly answered my questions about fractal techniques with clear, accurate instructions. She’s always ready to help new fractalists and is a constant source of support.

Her management of the @Ultra-Fractal-Redux group consistently meets — and exceeds — what you’d expect from a skilled and dedicated group leader. For several years now, she has guided me in organizing our monthly group challenges with unwavering reliability. She’s always courteous and helpful to newer and less experienced members and warmly supportive of everyone in the group.

@Velvet--Glove shares fractals on DeviantArt into which she pours technical expertise and effort, coupled with true artistic sensitivity. Her fractals are unfailingly a cut above the rest! On so many levels, she has fully earned this Deviousness Award.

From @2BORN02B  

Chris is, frankly, a Grand Master of UF. Her gnarl works in particular are exquisite: vibrant, colorful, and lovely. She’s also created some fantastic tutorials about Ultra Fractal in her gallery that everyone using UF should have a gander at. 

Sharing resources like these shows she genuinely cares about helping others. That’s what this award — and, really, what life — is all about. 

Congrats, Chris!!

From @VicEberly  

When I was learning to use the Ultra Fractal program, Chris was a huge inspiration — not only because of her mastery of the software, but also her keen sense of composition and color. 

She is especially adept at floral compositions, but beyond her artistic skill, she’s always been kind and helpful to anyone needing a guiding hand. 

She truly deserves this award.

Congratulations to @Velvet--Glove !

If you would like to suggest a deviant for Deviousness, you can do so by filling out this form!

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