I think you just nailed it: purpose. It seems like everywhere else, there's a lack of purpose, because it's not peer and mod moderated like NG. Plus the internet's gotten very lazy: no searching for new sites, no talking, just getting zombified on whatever's out there in front of them, not adding to the song.
I'm not knocking your hustle at all homie, do whatever it takes to get hits/views, this way, if you ever sell your work, the price might be worth the time you invested in them. I've been told galleries near summer vacation spots are the best places to showcase and sell your artwork.
VicariousE
Yeah, no one's been coming to NG, because no one's adding links/watermarks back here. It doesn't bother me much, since the rest of the internet is a sleazy whore to me :|
Really glad you've got some good tools to work with, and things are looking up again!
LittleLuckyLink
Yeah, the internet truly is a sleazy whore. At least anyone who sticks around here is a good, legitimate person (even if they are some sort of prick, at least they have a purpose.)