First just let me say this website is awesome. Second, the artwork on here continues to stun me everyday as i browse through the amazing photographs, digital artworks and graphics, original drawings and paintings that each artist has poured their heart into creating.
Im an artist who is new to joining this online community of artists (but I have had my album online on facebook for over 3 years so I'm not techno stone age), and I find that the differences of effects that the virtual world and the real world have on the artist are incredibly interesting. Maybe this is just from personal background, who knows.

All I know is that with the internet expanding, technology growing rapidly, and most forms of visual viewing going digital, its increasingly harder to market yourself as an artist in the real world than online. In the real world, you have to continually market yourself to get into galleries, coffee shops, pubs, shows, and get buyers etc-in order to not become a starving artist.

Yet online, the pressure is still here with the strive to market to a larger crowd (knowing anyone can view or google your work)but the accessibility to audiences is easier, there are greater means to advertise an artist's artwork, an artist has a broader network of connections and opportunities to become an entrepreneur, and to note that the comments on online websites like deviantart or flicker totally gives a boost of confidence. It also seems that there is more room for discourse and feedback online and it can be more comfortably exchanged than in an intimidating space of a gallery where you are removed from the artist and his work because there is little or no interaction with either. Also, I don't know if I am wrong about this but it feels like if people do go to a gallery or art show, its more of a social gig, with music, sometimes vendors, the usual wine to get drunk off of-a form of entertainment...and then there is the art.

What I've also noticed and I am curious if anyone else has thought about this because I am beginning a research project on analyzing the artist's use of online art communities, and his or her presence online.

But how art on art websites influenced by their social elements, and how do these new friendships/relationships on the sites influenced by the art?

Do they even at all? Is there an intention to promote art online that evolves eventually into establishing a social network? Is it about the art or the social ties made in the end?

I have asked a few of my fellow deviant friends about their thoughts on this and responses have been great. I was just curious if anyone else had any opinions or critiques on the matter? Feedback is greatly appreciated, even if you think differently (just no negative bashing please).

-Madelyne