The Working Artist

Social media groups are invaluable when you need a mystery tool explained

ABOVE Laura Boswell, West Coast Summer, woodblock print, 29 x45 cm

Artist The Working

Our columnist LAURA BOSWELL loves the community and support of online art forums – could now be the time to find your tribe too?

Social media can be an effective place to grow an audience. It can also be a great forum for selling artwork, but have you thought of it as a means to find your tribe?

Making art is often a solitary business and the pandemic has meant that most of us have been even more isolated than usual.

If you haven’t considered using social media to join – or perhaps build – a community of likeminded artists, now is the time to give it a go. Joining an established group is a good place to start. Whatever your technique and interests, there will almost certainly be a suitable group to join.

You may like to sign up to several groups for a broader perspective, or to gain an insight into a range of techniques or subjects. I belong to several printmaking forums and their content and atmosphere differs widely, ranging from the deeply intellectual to the fun and playful.

Remember you can engage by showing work, commenting, or just observing. Check the rules of any group you join and whether they have mediators who will intervene if the group goes off topic. In my experience, mediated groups are friendly and supportive places where everyone’s work is embraced and celebrated. In most bigger art groups, members range from absolute beginners to professional artists, and they are often spread across the globe.

Groups are valuable places for asking questions. From finding a good supplier to asking for a friendly critique, you’ll have fellow specialists ready to help. These groups are also invaluable when you need an artwork identified or a mystery tool explained. Someone somewhere will pop up with an explanation and there’s often a fascinating back story included.

Do remember that these are open groups so be cautious when it comes to sharing personal details, however. If you keep the focus on the artwork, you can enjoy the chat without compromising your privacy.

Groups grow and change all the time. Splinter groups often arise to address specialist interests within main groups and then develop a life of their own. Don’t be shy if you want to instigate a new thread or subgroup; you may end up finding your own special network of artist friends. Laura co-hosts a podcast, Ask an Artist. Listen to new episodes at www.artists andillustrators.co.uk/askanartist