In honour of our group's founder: Anna Kirsten

"So ...In case I should suddenly disappear from here."   (Anna Kirsten Aug. 2015)

Anna wrote these words at one of those many times when her health had been failing.  She felt she needed to hand over the reins of being founder in the many groups she had been so actively involved in setting up and running.  She wished to get things in order, you might say.  She dearly did not wish these groups to fail. Anna did not like to let people down and would do her utmost to honour commitments made, even when her poor health made it a struggle.

On the 5th January 2016, sadly,  Anna passed away after a short battle with cancer, and after many years of illness.  We send our love and prayers to her family and friends. We will never forget our Anna, and your Nicky.

In 2015, Anna mentioned how her painful left shoulder and her breathlessness (due to abnormal heart rhythms) was causing her difficulties in playing the flute - her music was such a great comfort to her, it was not surprising that she struggled with depression at times.  And back in 2008, she wrote about how she was unable to type, or to play her keyboard and flute due to her experiencing a lack of coordination in her left hand (caused by a very painful migraine or possible stroke).  Anna battled on creating her beautiful art and music, despite her continued poor health.

Anna was part of many deviantART communities, as well as being a shining light in the deviantART community as a whole.   Below the feature of Anna's work, we have included tributes from a small sample of the many deviants, whose lives she had touched over the ten years she had been a member of deviantART.  Anna was greatly loved and admired here and she enriched our lives so much.  We all will greatly miss her.  RIP Nicolette Anna Kirsteen Keates.

“It was only a few short weeks ago I learned how seriously ill Anna was so the speed of her deterioration has been a great shock. I shall miss her.” By velvet-glove

"Anna, my dearest..... you will be missed and you were loved by all of us. Rest if Peace my dear friend. By raquelvonkaminaru

“Thank you for your beautiful work, and for your wonderful involvement in the Fractal Art community.  You will be missed very, very much.” By etomchek

 "Such a kind soul that will be remembered". By 1001G

 “Very sad. I have a CD she made of her own music. She was a very good musician as well as being an excellent artist. RIP...” by Rozrr

   “Anna was true pillar of the community - She'll be missed.    I got to work with her at Xtreme - a great lady & wonderful artist!” by LightBulbMoon

 "Anna will definitely be missed I absolutely loved her creative work".    by gigi50

“she was a wonderful woman and I hope that she may rest in peace and achieve happiness wherever she is”. By lazward

" I was very fond of Anna and am very shocked and sorry to hear of her passing. But I know she is in a better place now and looking over her family, who meant so much to her. Rest in peace dear friend..." by photofairy

"Anna's gracious spirit will live on through the beautiful works she created and posted here. She was a lovely soul!" By infinite-art

“Nicky was a good friend of mine and I had the pleasure and honour to meet her and her family in person a few years back. I will greatly miss her and her wonderful special art and music. I am heartbroken that I won't meet her ever again!” From Lilyas

Anna Kirsten’s blog: annakirstenstimetomakeastand.b…

Anna’s music: kiwi6.com/users/NickyKeates