Look Ma, I’m on DeviantArt!

This probably was a long time coming. For those not familiar with DeviantArt (DA), it could be described as yet another Internet social network and community, but for the artistically inclined. Like MySpace has become for music and bands, minus the tacky interface.

Over time, I had noticed that just about every one of the artist colleagues I knew worth their salt had some sort of a DeviantArt profile. So I got myself an account, but for well over two years I did nothing with it other than occasionally gather artwork from other artists I liked who were also on DA, probably because I was sort of concerned about ownership of my art and copyright issues before making the leap, and I was also busy trying to get this site off the ground, which never has been an easy task.

As per their FAQ, DeviantArt will never claim rights of ownership over the stuff you put in there. That’s good to hear. (Of course, it always pays to be prepared and protect your images appropiately, since you never know where they will end up. If it can be seen, it can be copied, period. It’s a fact. Get over it).

Also, there comes a time when, in order to get yourself known out there, something’s gotta give. As much as I’ve invested a lot of time and effort on this site, it is also true that the “If you build it they will come”, Field of Dreams - like fantasy of the yesteryear of the web has died long ago. Visits here have never been anything stellar, and it is simply getting harder and harder to get noticed among the big ruckus and noise of millions of people equally competing for your attention on the Internet.

So in a network like DeviantArt you can, at least, be sure that equally minded people and artists will be watching your work, comment it, give you feedback and -who knows- by the power of relationships, you may well strike it big someday, or at least get you a job you love. I’m fully aware that, since most DA users are artists themselves, this is much like preaching to the choir. But it’s a start, and in today’s exponentially atomized web experience, there’s no such a thing as being in too many places at once. Someone may not even know about your site, but will probably have a Facebook account. And may know key contacts that can help you out. And so on. It’s the power of the social web. (that reminds me I should follow suit with a Facebook page).

My DeviantArt profile will be by no means a substitute for this site, but just an additional channel to get my work across other people that wouldn’t otherwise be aware of it. Feel free to take a look at http://betoart.deviantart.com. And if you are a DeviantArt user as well, I want to hear from you!