Showing posts with label creative directory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative directory. Show all posts

Friday, May 22, 2009

Artists Networking Online

A social networking site for artists is a great idea whose time has come. Using these tools to promote artists and create online artist directories is a wonderful idea. Social networking sites have been in existence for quite some time now, but using the model to create a site to promote visual artists is a wonderful concept. Music sites, dating sites, business networking sites and many others have been created for a multitude of purposes, but having a networking site simply for the benefit of painters, sculptors, illustrators and other visual artists is an important development in the world of networking for artists.

The ability of a painter, illustrator, sculptor, jeweler or other visual artist to network with other visual artists, gallery owners, art enthusiasts and collectors online is a great idea. This global network enables collaboration and commerce over vast distances, and helps create a large community of artists and people in the art world. The idea of having an artist directory online and an online portfolio will create easy avenues of communication between people looking to create, purchase and show art. Other sites are dedicated to music, dating, social networking, business networking and other reasons already exist, but the need for this innovation of a social networking site for artists online has never been greater.

With a touch of the keyboard or click of the mouse events, shows, artists, galleries and everything else related to the art world is right there. Reading biographies of the artists, understanding method and techniques and seeing the work are all very inspirational and can help tremendously to facilitate communication and collaboration across mediums and genres. Different artists living and working in completely different areas can get together for shows, collaborate on projects, trade ideas and perhaps create new works together. People looking to book shows or purchase art for venues or other places can easily find artists and peruse different styles to find what they are looking for with ease.

Many artists are not businesspeople, and do not know how to properly market and sell their work. Something as easy as a social networking site makes this very easy, and enables an artist working in visual mediums to be able to show and sell their work themselves, and control the pricing and flow of business. It’s a great tool and a great way to help the artist move into the world of business, which is a difficult transition for many artists. This gives the artists a sense of control over their business and helps them practice the skill necessary to promote their artwork from a business aspect.

An artist’s directory online is not the only advantage of a social networking site for artists. A page dedicated to events is also a great way to keep things moving and get people who appreciate arts to know about things happening. Contests, competitions, calls for artists, gallery openings and potential jobs and commissions are all things that can find their way into an events page on a social networking site dedicated to the visual arts.

A social networking site for artists is an ideal way to create collaboration, commerce and artist’s directories for artists working all over the world. This will enable each artist to create a profile that will serve as an online promo pack, bio and virtual gallery to show work, talk about process and technique and share inspiration with other people interested in seeing, showing and purchasing artwork.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Online Artist Networking

Social networking sites are one of the most popular ways for people to stay connected, network and meet each other in our modern world. Some of them are meant for just socializing and connecting with friends, sharing photos, planning events and parties and other such social engagements, while others are meant as online promo packs for musicians and other media artists. However, where does the visual artist go to network with painters, sculptors, sketch artists and other artists working in visual mediums? Thankfully there is a social networking site for artists that will help you connect with other artists all over the world as well as galleries and venues that are interested in meeting artists to show at their locations.

These networking sites whether they are college social networking sites or social networking sites geared for everyone, are a great way to stay in touch with people you find that you have some type of connection with. One designed for visual artists is especially effective as an online promotional tool and can function as a virtual portfolio easily accessed by other artists, crafters, gallery owners and people who are interested in collecting and supporting the arts. The ability to create a biography about yourself, explain the medium you work in and the approach you have to your art, expound on your creative philosophy, discuss techniques and experimental aspects to your work and generally give a history and taste of what you represent is extremely valuable.

In the world of professional arts, it can become a very competitive industry. With the economy the way it is and less expendable money to go around, any edge that can be gained should be fully embraced and exploited. Every way to get the word out about the work you are doing and the projects you have underway is one more chance to be found by the right client, gallery, shop or customer.

Collaboration is another aspect of a social networking site for artists. Creating an online artist directory is a wonderful idea, and can help bring like minded creative people together to ensure that collaboration in the art world is alive and well. Getting two or more artists together to work simultaneously on a project or event is something that has fed the art world and allowed for the creation of works that would have been otherwise impossible.

Why not use the tools that are presented to us and create an artists profile to connect with other creative folks all around the world. The computer and the internet are tools that should be embraced and used to the utmost extent to bring more and more creativity and connection into our world. Many artists typically find this contradictory to the creative process, but I believe that it is just a tool like a telephone or bulletin board where people can exchange information and meet each other.

This is a call for creativity! Express yourself and share your vision with the world. Embrace the opportunities that present themselves and exploit this wonderful tool called the internet in the interest of creativity, self expression and art. It is a wonderful thing when an artist can make a living doing what they love and share their heart with people all around the world. And connecting via online social networking sites is one way you can truly ensure that you find people from all corners of the globe to make wonderful and creative connections with.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Marketing Artwork

One of the most challenging things about being a professional artist or craftsperson is the difficulty of marketing yourself, putting your creations out there, connecting with other artists and finding ways to get your work shown in galleries and shows. Most artists and craftspeople are understandably not businesspeople. Marketing and networking can be an alien planet, a foreign language or simply a daunting task that makes an artist cringe. So how does an artist get out of the studio and connect with other artists, gallery owners and the general public?

These days there are many ways to do this, but one of the best is online. The advent of social networking sites on the web has created a whole new avenue for people to connect with each other, and some of the most popular websites in the world at this time are social networking sites. The main problem from the perspective of an aspiring professional artist or craftsperson is that these sites are mainly geared toward general socializing or dating. There are a few more options for musicians, but the visual artist is still challenged to find a way to use the social networking phenomenon effectively to get their work shown and their name recognized.

A social networking site for artists could be an amazing way to harness the usefulness of social networking sites without all the other junk that goes along with them. Painters, sculptors, graphic designers, illustrators and other artists working in visual art mediums would be able to post photos of their work, biographies of their approach, and explanations of techniques. A social networking site geared specifically to artists would enable an artist working in one area to connect and share ideas with an artist working in another part of the world by creating an artist directory. Collaborations between artists would be facilitated and new projects and ideas would be able to come to fruition.

Another benefit of a social networking site that is created specifically for artists and craftspeople would be the ability for gallery owners and show promoters to find artists and connect with them with ease. These types of artist resources are invaluable. Creating shows and openings would be easier and more effective with a social networking site for artists. One of the biggest challenges as a professional artist is getting the work out there. Getting paintings, sculptures and other visual art creations in galleries and at shows is always the challenge and a social networking site for artists would make this difficult task a much easier and more pleasurable endeavor.

Lets face it…artists are generally not business people, and an up and coming artist generally cannot afford to hire a publicist or marketing firm to help them get their creations to the public. This reality requires an artist to take on a difficult role of business manager. Anything that helps make this part of the job easier is certainly to be welcomed with open arms. A creative directory is needed here. Imagine being able to build a profile page that includes a biography, an artist statement, an explanation of techniques, a link to a personal web page and a database of artists right at your fingertips. Include photographs of the work and easy contact info, and a social networking site for artists becomes one of the most valuable resources for any creative person to take advantage of. An online artist directory is something that is much needed and much overdue.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Artist Networking

As an artist one of things I find the least enjoyable is all of the competition. It seems like the world of homemade, professional arts and crafts can become jealous and competitive, especially since the economy is suffering and things like the arts are often heavily affected by trouble in the economy. When people can’t afford the necessities of life, often the arts are the first things to be cut out of the budget. One of the ways I have found to overcome this difficulty is through artist networking organizations and collaborations with other local artists.

Social networking as an artist is one of the most enjoyable but often most challenging aspects to a career as a professional artist or craftsman or craftswoman. Places like the typical online social networking sites are a great idea, but lack the specific focus of catering to artists and lovers of the arts. To create an online community that supports each other, collaborates, comes together to openly share and voice opinions is one of the most important things we can do to market ourselves and get our art out there to be seen.

Having a personal website is only the start, because marketing an individual website and getting enough traffic to make your site lucrative can be very challenging. However, linking your site to a profile page on a directory of artists that is comprehensive, vast and diverse can make your traffic increase beyond what one might think possible. Artists need as many outlets and avenues to promote themselves and their work as possible, and it is very helpful to have at your disposal a whole wide network of other people working in the same fields or with similar values and ideas as yourself.

Making friends from other parts of the country or other parts of the world can be incredibly beneficial, not to mention unbelievably fun for any artist or crafter. The possibilities of shows and opening in other parts of the nation or other corners of the planet start to open up when a world wide community of artists comes together for the common goal of expanding and promoting the arts, and strengthening the connections and collaborations between previously separated artists.

Imagine having your work seen by galleries and buyers from all over the world, from each part of the country coast to coast, or from right there in you very own town. Share processes, techniques and skills as your offer up you style, and simultaneously acquire new and previously undreamed of inspiration, ideas and methods from other bright folks who are doing work elsewhere.

Social networking for artists and crafters is increasingly more important as we move into the modern age, and now that we have the resources and a community willing to be a part of it, we should jump at the chance. Every artist knows the frustration of repeated denials and the labor of combing galleries and weekend craft fairs to try to make a living. Every edge that can be taken should be, and not to mention the enjoyment of it. Being an artist as a way of life should be rich, rewarding and fulfilling. Managing the business end of things, as well as the marketing and social end can be daunting. Becoming part of the premier online social networking site for artists is one way to help get ahead and get more enjoyment out of your career as a professional artist.