Steemit + Artists : A New Stage for Craft

in #art7 years ago (edited)

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Steemit as a New Stage for Craft


In a world curated by the resolution of your computer screen... creativity can be a hard thing to capture. Steemit is changing that. With Steemit, we have an rapidly evolving resource that helps to break down the barriers that have prevented many artists from fully embracing the digital landscape. An artistic utopia could be closer than you think! It’s still very early (if you’re counting in STEEM-years) but platforms like this one will serve as catalysts to propel creatives into the 21st century.

90% of Art is Process


Value has traditionally been assigned solely to the final product. But a real work of art is about the story and the process. Steemit gives value to the narrative hiding behind the canvas.

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Endless sketchbooks, bar napkins, eraser residue, smudges, study models, late nights, early mornings, crumpled-up paper and globs of paint that dried too quickly. These preliminary stages of the creative process make up an invisible 90% that is rarely shared with the world.
The “process” in art can be where the best stories are hiding. It’s where the artist’s rigor, passion and craftsmanship are brought to a boil. The “final” piece is just a small window into a much bigger landscape. With Steemit, artists are finding a platform to share the stories beyond the frame.

Artists - this is so important. You should be rewarded for 100% of your work and not just the final 10%. Steemit gives provides you an opportunity to monetize your discovery and exploratory process!

Value & Feedback


When I first opened Steemit I was excited to see that “art” and “photography” were in the top 5 trending topics. I half expected “catmeme” and “selfie” to be there instead. (I mean honestly, it’s tough to open a social platform from scratch in 2016 and not be bombarded by cat memes… although, for the record, I do on occasion enjoy a good cat meme...)

Ahem, anyway, seeing “art” and “photography” in the trending column was one of the central reasons why I decided to join the platform. What it showed me - is that here, creativity has enormous value. This growing community of Steemians genuinely appreciate and want to see behind-the-scenes stuff just as much as the final product. In my own work, I’ve found that those moments of chaos and not-quite-yet compositions are the most honest. As an artist, those moments stand out the most to me. They are where you learn, grow and hone your craft. When the final piece is framed, published, or installed… there’s a moment where you step back... stare back at it… and admiringly see every flaw, every smudge and bruise, even as others don’t. You see your final work and think about all the stories hiding behind the pane of glass now protecting it.

Steemit isn’t a polished art gallery or a quiet museum… it’s more like a communal work desk. It’s a place where you can share raw thinking and receive constructive and honest feedback.


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Share Your True Work


During my first few weeks on Steemit… I was posting single images with little to no description. I was making 10 cents here and there when a staple-Steemian by the name of @fairytalelife reached out to me and challenged me to do better by my work. She said “what is your process?… tell me everything!”... and that really woke me up. In that moment I realized that this place isn’t instagram or twitter. I can’t just post a final picture or sum up a produced image in 140 characters.

I thought... as an artist, this could be a major opportunity. Here, you can share your work in the moment, just as you are creating it. You can write about it, take a progress photo, share an idea or inspiration. In most cases honest content receives honest feedback and actual value. That’s an unprecedented thing for an artist to be able to tap into. By finding value in process the Steemit platform could revolutionize the way artists are able to work and support themselves. In this community, your work can be elevated in an unprecedented way.

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For the artsy Newbies of Steemit! If you're wondering what in the world to post... Start simple. Try introducing your creative work with three basic rules in mind. Use these rules as building blocks to carry your craft even further.

Posting Art on Steemit… 3 Helpful Tips!


1. Thumbnail Image

  • The first image of your blog post is important! Design it in a way that will seduce people into clicking it. Make it colorful, beautiful, contrasty. The thumbnail might look small on a feed but this little rectangle of real estate is our first glimpse into your unique and artsy world.

2. Art From Start to Finish (3-5 images)

  • Select a handful of good quality images / examples of your creative and discovery process. Show us a little bit of the behind-the-scenes action. It's okay if your desk is messy! If you have a smart phone or camera, try experimenting with a time lapse. Play around with different ways of representing your work and see what sticks!

3. Write 300 words

  • Writing is tough, but an important part of relaying your ideas. Take a moment to sit and write down the thought process behind your art. I promise you, this exercise will help you in describing your work better (not just through blogging, but IRL also!)

Have FUN. MAKE friends. Seek out other Steemians with likeminded interests and begin communicating with them through comments. And most importantly... STEEM on!

follow me @voronoi | design collective @hitheryon

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This is excellent advice @voronoi. This quote in particular: "Steemit isn’t a polished art gallery or a quiet museum… it’s more like a communal work desk." - is a very insightful way of pointing out the value of Steemit.

Steem: Earn value from your art process, not just your art. Love it!

Thanks so much for the kind feedback @heymattsokol :D
Glad you enjoyed the post!

Love this! "Earn value from your art process, not just your art"

Your comment reminded me of something Dave Ramsey says- that opportunity is often overlooked because it shows up wearing boots and coveralls, looking a lot like Work!

Steemit is perfect for artists!, as a musician i have learned this platform suits me perfectly, it suits all kind of artists! :D

Musicians especially. There's a ton of behind the scenes work when it comes to writing / composing / producing a song. That information has value!

Exactly

I am working with some artists and hopefully they will do just that - show behind the scenes and all the work that goes into writing and producing a song and then making a music video @edenmichelle @leelektrik @owenkay @danshaw

Looking forward to seeing/hearing how you are using the platform. This thread has started some ideas brewing in the back of my mind, but actually seeing some possibilties realized would be a big plus.

You have a strong point. But won't instagram be a better avenue for you to promote your art though?

To that very reasonable question, I say this... How much $ have you made through instagram? If you're super lucky, you can get a commission or a show through posting religiously on instagram. But that's relying on a third party to spot you and hire you. Insta doesn't pay you. Steemit literally does. It might not be hundreds of dollars at first, but if you're persistent you can get there!

Another point, have you received good feedback on instagram? The comments are mostly emojis. On Steemit, you can receive productive feedback AND actually have a conversation like you and I are having right now!

Jeez. That was hands down defeat. You sure know what you are saying. When I praised instagram though, I was talking about the exposure to a global audience. You have to admit that instagram is a far bigger community than steemit right now

Haha sorry I didn't mean it to be an overwhelming response. You're absolutely right that the global audience is way larger. But in terms of real artist empowerment, Steemit takes the cake.

Why not use both? Each has its advantages. Maybe one could even promote his/her Steemit profile through Instagram. Give a sneak peak on Instagram and leave a link to a Steemit profile with more detailed work.

I feel that with ig, the art is seen and forgotten about in 30 secs. We are new her and we saw the art today! We were not distracted.

Awesome post! I totally agree. Joining steemit was one of the best things I did to let my creative potential flower :) Resteemed :)

Thank you @yoganarchista! That means a lot coming from you :D

Well, I just started drawing, sketching and doodling last month. At first, I was writing stuff about my art, then I stopped writing at all. Maybe, I should add thoughts about my work again. Thank you @voronoi! Upvoted and resteemed!

Add your thoughts! I'd love to hear the backstory of your self portrait :)

Hahaha. You checked it already. I'll try to add some. Thank you!

Great piece, as a newbie i find it truly inspiring thanks alot

Glad you enjoyed it

Steemit is an amazing way to express yourself and make a passive income from what you love doing :)
Amazing art BTW
Cheers and have a blast ^^

Thanks for the kind feedback! Cheers!

Hell yeah! I mentioned this in my very first post a few days ago, bon voyage the idea of the starving artist. Great article!

Bon voyage starving artist, let's flip the script!

Thanks @voronoi you have inspired me to dig a little deeper and express my music! 😎 Great Post!

Hello, thank you for the advice, I am new here and also exploring is there any opportunity for artist, designer, illustrator etc. I am very happy and feel lucky when see this post!

There's a lot of opportunity! Use Steemit as a chalkboard to test out new ideas and share your thought process. Enjoy!