Not a journal entry I want to make, but one I feel I should.

I got the terrible news today that a friend of mine here on dA, *Jewel-Reaver, very sadly passed away on Wednesday. I didn't know Jul nearly as well as I should've, nor as I wish now that I had. What I do know of her though, is that she was a lovely, sweet person, and every time I write of her in the wake of this news, I find myself making the same reference of her "She was a ray of sunshine" - and she really was. She was just one of those people who never seemed to have anything but the kindest words to say to you. Commenting on one of her pieces of art usually yielded the type of response that made you feel like it was the most important comment she'd ever received... and she replied with that level of sincere sweetness to absolutely everyone.

Beneath the sweetness was an incredible artist, too. I was always particularly fond of her line art, personally, but all of her work was really quite awesome. If anyone reading this has the time and inclination, spare Jul a thought and a moment and visit her page, would ya? *Jewel-Reaver deserved all the exposure and praise in the world for her work when she was alive, and that doesn't change just because she's passed on now. So, yeah, if anyone has the time and heart, stop by her page and view her work. I'm almost sure you'll walk away with, if not a favourite or two, at least a better understanding of why Jul meant so much to even those who only barely knew her here on dA.

I think it's probably a testament to the person she was that, despite not knowing her all too closely at all, her passing has hit me really, really hard.

Rest In Peace, Jul. You'll be missed, and you'll not be forgotten.