#MeetTheArtist: The Relationship between Artists and Social Media
A new trend is making the social media rounds and bringing artists to the forefront of online spaces. #Meettheartist is the latest meme in the online art community. The challenge involves artists drawing themselves along with items they keep on their person every day. The self-portrait is then completed by a list of likes and dislikes. Searching the #meettheartist tag on most social media platforms will bring up thousands of images.
“Meet The Writer” depicting an example of the #Meettheartist format. Created on MediBangPaintPro using images owned by Gaia Online. (Created by: Mal Carney)
This meme has taken over Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Deviantart. There are currently over 50,000 posts with the #meettheartist tag on Instagram. Artists of varying skill levels are participating in the meme, which shows the impact of the challenge on not only professional artists, but also on casual artists.
While the trend is meant to be fun, it also serves as promotion for artists. Through the various #meettheartist tags, artists can introduce themselves, display their art, and share links to their websites. In a sense, viewers are actually meeting the artists.
Thomas Estrada is a senior animator at WB Games. Estrada has also worked with DreamWorks and Disney, doing animation for films such as The Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado.
“I think it’s [#Meettheartist] interesting; nice way to get to know someone,” Estrada said.
For artists who take commissions, this trending hashtag is a chance to gather more clients. Victoria Haviland, 27, is a professional graphic design assistant. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and studio arts from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. She is also the artist of Harvest, a popular webcomic. In addition to being a professional graphic designer, Haviland also does freelance work.
“A lot of people who commission me aren’t even my followers! That’s always fun. I also have my commission post in an easy place to find if you go to my blog. It’s also the pinned tweet on my twitter,” Haviland recounts.
Many artists use online commissions as a form of supplemental income. So, when art is trending online, artists win. If an artist is trying to make money by selling his or her work online, then posting his or her art online with a trending hashtag can be an easy way to gain publicity and to help build a following. Estrada has over 1000 followers on Instagram where he posts art almost daily.
“I enjoy sharing my art and talking to the fans of projects that I’ve been a part of,” Estrada
#Meettheartist showcases work from people of all walks of life through graphic art. This trending hashtag is more than just the latest hot topic. This artistic challenge is about growing viewership, employing artists, and keeping art relevant during a time when it cannot afford to be forgotten.