the modern evolution of the artist colony

If you have ever worked from home as a designer or artist, then you know the meaning of "cabin fever." For a designer, though, the feeling of isolation and loneliness that comes from being away from company for extended periods of time can have a negative effect on your work. If there is no one around to bounce an idea off of or to ask their opinion on a work-in-progress you can start to feel creatively worn out. Doubts start to creep in, and you begin to feel stifled with the same solutions. But there is a way that even the most isolated designer or artist can not only become a part of an artist community but make a few bucks in the process.The first of these are the on-line design competitions, which are springing up all across the internet offering decent prizes if the submitted work is chosen for production. The best of these involve the community of artists in discussion boards and provide a place where designers can chat with and befriend other artists. A good example of this type of site is threadless.com, an on-going tee shirt design competition that prints 5-7 new tee shirts every week from the designs submitted for free to the site. The community blogs are free and response to a post is likely to get a dozen responses within minutes. There are areas for critique and to post other artwork and links to other design sites. It is very easy to become a part of this truly vibrant community.Another community-based forum is deviantart.com, populated by artists who use the site as a showcase for their illustration and digital paintings. The variety of work is astounding and a post is likely to draw numerous comments and suggestions very rapidly. In addition, the site offers a store front that allows the artists to sell their work as posters or high-quality prints. Artists review each other's work, offer suggestions, and give praise readily. Most of the core communities are well-established digital artists and illustrators, but the student and layman base offers a wide perspective of comments.Finally, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are good for something more than just getting in contact with that kid you knew in third grade. There are a wide variety of groups available for you to join that cater to specific areas of interest, such as the future of print design, connection groups for designers in a specific city and even tutorial groups to share tips and tricks used in producing design work.One of the biggest advantages all of these groups offer, though, is the opportunity to get to know designers and artist from well beyond the physical limitations of distance. Most of these sites are free and open to anyone from anywhere in the world and are often populated by an eclectic mix of cultures and perspectives.So don't let yourself sit at home and lament the fact you have no one to talk art with...open up a browser and make some friends!