Support your Local Artist

It has been over four months since my last post... and it seems that everything I set out to do last year has skewed by my new perspective. Reality gave me a good ol' bitch slap, and I'm happy for it because when I complete my previous goals although not right now.

I starting draining my artists' core with grand plans of helping the artist community when I haven't even helped myself. I already contribute in other ways- more one on one coaching with creative minds than gathering them on a cold and lonely forum. I had vested so much energy into it, that my creative talents where also being depleted with it's design. Although I do think that we need more online artist communities, there are already plenty that offer loads of support for developing artists.
I'm near completion of the new website, and over the part couple months, concentrated my creativity on personal projects and have produced so many new pieces. I've been a member of Deviant Art - a massive online community of artists - that have provided me with the support that my forum would have offered.
Online shops and resources, jobs and contests are just a few of the things that they offer. Somehow, I think that my small community of artists' on the forum would better benefit from skills and experience in person, or one on one basis... they activity online was so low it seemed a waste of bandwidth. HAHA let alone the headaches of a n00b trying to use linux coding on a windows platform.
I'm going to stick to what I know for now. Someday I'll open a GREEN gallery or an artists' co-op- that'll be much more suitable to my skill set.

The Forum - An Artist's Community

I have taken this productive streak seriously, and I am starting projects that I never would have before. It permeates every part of my life now; everything is less chaotic- I feel that it's coming into a certain balance now that is allowing unmitigated growth. As it pertain to art and it's affiliated activities, not only has a new website been named and created, but this blog has me channeling my frustrations and inspirations.
I have few resources when it comes to art critique and web design; and find it difficult to get meaningful reviews. I am a harsh critic, I don't take second standard and push my capabilities every time I create something. That is my creed.
From the new site's conception a few weeks ago to it's naming and blogging these trials and tribulations as small as they may be, made me realize I am not alone.
I am an [aspiring] artist.
I need constant feedback.
I want support from fellow creative minds.
I want to collaborate on projects.
I need to connect with like-minded people.
I need a community to share with.
I'm not the only one who feels this way so decided to create a nurturing environment where artist of all types could gather, share and be inspired by everything around them.
A community that could connect from studios and work spaces everywhere; and whose goal was to help each other develop and grow. Artists' friends and family would be welcome to come and see what each of us have created. All of us have something to offer, so if we come together, we can benefit from each others skills.

The more time I spend working on setting up 'home', the more I realize that we can really help each other.
With an idea of getting all creative people and their friends and family to join in a six degrees of separation-invitation style, that we could have a diverse group with many skills. In between all of us, there are projects and events that we could be a part of, and help each other succeed.
Writers and illustrators
Cover art for musicians
Logos and layouts for starting entrepreneurs
Photographers for events
The options are endless...

... we probably have come across at least one situation, where if we knew a creative mind, they would have been asked and not a 'professional.'

We would present them the opportunity to shine.

almost there

It's amazing what a difference that 10 days can make, your determination and mid set is more focused and in turn your goal are that much clearer- at least that is that case for me.
Once I got past the chicken/egg dilemma that naming and creating a site can be.
I'd made what I hoped would be the final (base) version of design for background, navigation, buttons and type styles. Without a firm website name could not continue as a website name needs to reflected in the site.
If it website were myname.com then this imagery association is not necessary- but with a name like darkart or thevisions or crookeddesign I would need an appropriate background or imagery that would be commonly associated with it.

So now I have two names; SpookyArtistry.com is my parent site- all of my archived, past and current work is displayed. I also picked up SpookyArtistree.com which will become a division that shows handmade Trees of all sizes and design.
The Potato Tree Factory will have a select few still shown in Artistry, but the series will be moved.
Along with PTF, the tree models will be displayed. Currently there are 5 and 14 inch models, or varying design, and expecting to complete by summer '08 will be a 3-4 foot handmade tree.
These 'full size' trees will be available for custom order... but let's make sure they look good that big.