How to Make the Most of the Online Art Community
(Illustration by Caleb Morris)
In today’s world, artists have incredible opportunities to connect with the outside world.
Because of social networking, creative professionals have access to a whole host of platforms to interact with their peers, promote their work, and find resources and inspiration to help their businesses grow. No matter what your entry point is to the online art community, the multitude of networks connect to form a larger web of artists who help and inspire each other on a daily basis.
In the past few months, I’ve been interacting more and more with Illustrators, Art Directors, and other creative professionals through this site, other blogs, and the various branches of EFII on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. I’m really inspired by the way that the community has grown, and by the eagerness of artists to come together to share recources and ideas. I also believe that there is a lot more that we can all do to make the community even better.
If you’ve spent any amount of time networking with your fellow artists, then you may have already discovered something that every artist should know if they want to make the most of the online art community:
You get as much out of it as you put into it.
This one simple statement applies to so many things in life, and social networking is no exception. The amount that you participate in any social group dictates how much you interact with everyone else, and how much they interact with you. Commenting on blogs, connecting with artists through social networking, and creating your own content, makes you a part of the community, rather than just an observer. If you’ve ever wanted to cross that bridge, all you need to do is start.
However, quantity is just one part of the equation.
The quality of your participation plays an even more important role in your ability to benefit from the community. No amount of social networking will do much good if you only interact on a superficial level or relentlessly promote yourself to unwilling bystanders. Many people still make this mistake, and it only serves to add noise to the community.
What’s the best way to participate?
There are 3 simple things that everyone can, and should, do to make the most of the online art community.
1. Share
Take the time to help those in need, or simply pass on useful links or information so that others may benefit from it as well. The more we all do this, the more we will add to the amount of resources and answers to be found online.
2. Listen
Pay attention to what your fellow artists have to say, and help them to spread the word. This is how relationships are truly created online, and how great things are found by more people.
3. Invite
If you find a group or network that inspires you to join the conversation, don’t keep it a secret. Tell every person that you think would benefit from it, and thereby add to the size and quality of the community.
These simple steps will help you to make connections and enhance your life, but don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself, and see if it helps you to have a more rewarding interaction with your fellow artists. I know that many of you have come to this conclusion already.
If you believe in the power of community and want to help to make it even stronger, then please pass this post along to your friends.
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About Caleb Morris: A 29 year old Gulf Coast native, Caleb “Sheesh” Morris has been exhibiting his work in the streets and galleries of North America and Europe for the past 3 years. In addition to showing in galleries around the United States, Canada, and Europe, he has had the opportunity to work for clients such as: MTV Networks, SJC Drums, Swatch, and many clothing companies, international magazines, and record labels. When not fighting insomnia or deadlines, Sheesh can be found planning his next scheme to travel across the country and record it in his sketchbook.
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Hey nice three simple things .. shared the link on our facebook page .. :):)
Most of the times we forget the second thing “Listen” ..thanks .. :)
You might want to read this article too ..
May be this will help, may be some of your friends .. try it ..:)
Social Networking Media Responsibilities of an Artists
http://www.bramhaa.com/editorial/social-networking-media-responsibilities-of-an-artists/
Mahesh
Hi Thomas, great article.
I’m so glad I have found someone being vocal about this issue just as I myself am crafting a post along the same lines. I work for a really great and active artists network but we want to educate a lot of our members with your ideas.
The artists that get the most from the network certainly are the biggest participators. They are the ones who not only show others what they are up to BUT more importantly are an ear and eye for the others. They are engaged with discussion and promoting others.
These members have succeeded in meeting like minded artists to collaborate with as well as participate in or bring artists into exhibitions they wouldn’t have found otherwise.
It’s beautiful to watch how powerful the internet can be for us creatives. But as you say it’s about being involved personally not superficially.
all my best
Lawrence
I could not agree more on all points. Even though I’m not at the level of freelancing, or making business out of my passion for art, I’ve benefited so much, its unbelievable. At first, I was looking at books, and one online drawing site for “at-your-own-pace” learning resources, but social networking has been a huge part of what keeps me going, learning, and sharing. In my case, time is a big problem to my purpose of learning and growing as an artist, and the availability of resources, and “mentors” through social networking has boosted my journey, even though the time I have to dedicate to art is minimal. I can’t thank my online friends (and I mean friends in the old, non-social-web, sense of the meaning) for all their comments, help, and encouragement. It’s the best thing that could have ever happened to my artistic side… otherwise, I’d be so isolated in my “illustration island” it would be a cave instead!