Student artist Lindsey writes in to suggest My Art Space as an interesting alternative to Deviant Art . I'll get to that in a second. First I want to point out her cool her student blog is, as an example of students publishing their work online, and using that format as a way to discuss their process, as well as feelings and intentions about their work and assignments. I especially like this intaglio print called Owl Dreams. Thanks Lindsey!

Back on topic:

Like Deviant Art, My Art Space is a social networking site for artists.  As Lindsey points out it is a little 'classier', and the contributers there do, as a group seem to take their artwork more seriously. Another feature that is very cool: you can create galleries of your work, and allow people to either download them or embed them as slideshows. Browsing the site, I quickly found the stunning paintings of David Carmack Lewis:



Its worth checking out some of his other galleries as well.

One of the reasons that My Art Space has that "classier" feel than Deviant Art (besides the title) is that members can 'flag' inappropriate work - so it has that element of a community policing itself, like a wiki. It would seem for classroom use, that this would be a good alternative to Deviant Art.

There are some drawbacks too- it doesn't seem to have the same level of participation as on Deviant Art, which makes sense considering the smaller community. In a way its the same sort of quandary, I think, between posting student videos to Youtube or TeacherTube. On Youtube, the obvious advantage is the possible quantity of exposure, on Teacher Tube, you don't have to worry so much about inappropriate comments on student work.

The other drawback of My Art Space is that the galleries default to play music. You can shut it off, but I'd prefer if you had the option to turn it on. I find that pretty annoying- but that might just be me; I have a pet peeve about sounds on websites. Not sure why.

At any rate, both provide a variety of resources and experiences for posting art online, and I find it incredibly exciting that students have found the motivation and confidence to put their work 'out there'.

Speaking of which, a former student of mine, known on Deviant Art as "Aean Nephquarielle" is using the site in a very creative way- to publish her own online comic book, Conquering Gods in weekly installments.

Here's the synopsis:

Set in a futuristic Egyptian colony of an imperialistic Britain, interplanetary religious wars play far in the background of young Ichor Bielladonia's life as she is raised by a reknown professor of archeology and his wife after he had discovered her as an abandoned infant sealed in an ancient temple underneath the Nile. However, it is becoming more and more evident that Ichor possesses incredible strength, speed, and telekinetic powers. Star-struck at her own abilities, she becomes a vigilante, forcing beings even more powerful out of their hiding among the British officers and the campus professors. But much more serious, her activity catches the eye of an evil force that seems like the mirror image of her and her powers---but unmistakably evil.

I'm hooked!