Deviant Art and the Starving Artist

The largest online community of its kind, DeviantArt is unique and therefore draws a lot of attention. More recently, Hollywood has fixed its eye on DeviantArt as well featuring art contests for its members as a way to publicize films and in some cases garner promotional art for their own use. These types of contests as well as the sheer size of DeviantArt's community leads many to believe that this is their best avenue for recognition. While it is true that artists have furthered their careers, it is not due entirely, or even mostly to DeviantArt.

DeviantArt, usually referred to as simply DA by its members, is first and foremost a community board. This means if you are unwilling to interact and actively participate in the community by commenting, critiquing and engaging the other artists you aren't likely to be seen much at all. Even the best artists will be snubbed by the community if they are unresponsive to comments. It is almost better to think of DA as an art festival with thousands of other artists present and millions of people milling about. It is only by talking to others that you'll draw and keep them focused on your work. In the end, however, any benefits you aim to gain from a presence on DA can only be supplemental to having a personal portfolio site and a professional presentation of your work.

The number of artists whose careers are burgeoning on DA are also active in many other art sites/communities such as Art Limited, GFX Artist, Amateur Illustrator, Wicked Moon, and Concept Art. Artists wanting to be seen have all nature of websites to post galleries of their work, even Flickr. Artists wanting to work and make money cannot rely on the zeitgeist of DeviantArt alone. Yes, it is a good place to begin. Post your art work. Be open to criticism. Actively engage the other artists. Open a Prints account.

What you should not do, however, is approach it like hundreds of young actors flock to Hollywood every day and think that by being on DA you'll be "Discovered." While strange things happen, and strangers bump into one another creating accidental glory, the truth is that you'll need to work hard. Work hard at your art, work hard at getting your name out, and definitely work hard to be uniquely you. DeviantArt is a big pool, but jump on in. The water's fine.