The art of the Internet
By Alyssa Christianson

Alyssa Christianson

Ever wanted to visit a real professional gallery? Ever wanted to display your own artwork for the entire world to see?

If so, I think I have found the perfect place for you, and you can visit right from your own home.

D e v i a n - tart.com, more c o m m o n l y known as just DeviantART, is one of the most popular and fastest growing artistic communities to be found on the Internet.

There are a little less than 29 million pieces being displayed on the Web site received from over two million artists all over the globe.

Now, you’re probably wondering about what type of art is on this Web site. There are 15 different categories to upload one’s art to. They vary from traditional arts — such as paintings — to Flash animations, to literature, to graphic art.

By means of a digital camera or a scanner, one can upload artistic pieces of any medium.

Each member of this ever-growing c ommu n i t y receives a customizable profile that serves as a Web log, gallery, and means of communication.

Each gallery will hold as many pieces of art as the user desires and in as many different categories as they want.

DeviantART requests artists to follow certain restrictions in each category. For example — in the photography category — DeviantART requests that users present their work in the “most attractive manner” and sets image size restrictions.

There is a specific category for scraps, which can be used to upload unfinished or unrefined art into as a means of keeping DeviantART organized.

Also in the profile is a display box for what are known as favorites. When viewing other artists work you can leave them a comment or criticism on their art and also favorite — bookmark — their work. You favorite pieces of art are then stored so you can look at them quickly and at any time.

The most favorited art pieces are displayed on the DeviantART home page along with recently uploaded pieces, popular prints of the day and Daily Deviations.

Daily Deviations are pieces that have been hand-selected by the staff that runs DeviantART. They pick out several pieces — the number varies daily — and write a small praising description about the piece and the artist.

Receiving a Daily Deviation award is one of the greatest honors to be earned on DeviantART, seeing as there are so many pieces for the staff to choose from. It can bring a lot of attention to your gallery.

DeviantART also doubles as a marketplace. Any artist can upgrade their account and have their art be sold through the Web site. The artist will receive 50 percent of the money earned through sales, the remainder pays for making the prints.

Art can be sold as photo or canvas prints, jigsaw puzzles, calendars, coasters, mugs, mouse pads, postcards, or magnets which provides for an expansive buyers’ market.

The community on DeviantART is extremely involved in the running of the site. The staff constantly receives and responds to feedback from members.

Also, yearly conventions are held so members can meet up and share their work face-to-face.

Competitions with cash prizes are often held as well.

DeviantART has a classic “friending” system in which can “watch” another user’s gallery. They receive notices in their inbox — provided by the Web site — when the user they are watching uploads a piece of art.

DeviantART provides ample amount of protection for each user, allowing them to choose what will and will not be shown in their profile. All work is protected by copyright laws as well as by the terms and conditions laid down by DeviantART upon receiving membership.

I have personally been a member of the DeviantART community for a little more than 2.5 years now. I have had no problems in the community system here and enjoy my experience every time I visit the Web site.

There is so much beauty, comedy, intensity, and, most importantly, talent to be found at DeviantART. Many professionals display and sell their art through this Web site.

So whether you are looking for a good gift to give this holiday season, want to show off your artistic abilities, or just feeling like browsing through a beautiful collection of art right in your own home, DeviantART is certainly one of the Internet’s gems.

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Alyssa Christianson is a member of the Oakmont Regional High School Class of 2008. She resides in Ashburnham with her parents.