This revamp of DAW comes from this fact, while I do hope to plan some events for the group, I also thought it would be better suited as more of a support group for all involved. A group where people can share ideas, links to resources they enjoy using etc.

In the days to come I will begin moving forward with this project and will try to begin putting together a resources page with links to valuable assets for the creation of digital art.

 -ghost-

Now that i’ve gotten your attention, I believe that we as SLers have grown rather jaded and become very pessimistic when it comes to seeing our virtual world. Let me state right now that I am not saying this from some soapbox, i’m just as guilty of it as the next person. So often we are so frustrated by what we lack within SL, proper grid function, better UI, etc that we fail to see the forest for the trees.  The issues that virutally everyone experiences are no less important, but just as in the real world only the negative stuff gets all the press. For example when SL is down you will see many posts on Plurk about it and usually includes some extent of rather colorful phrases and expletives. What about when SL is up and functioning? It seems to be about equal amounts of time anymore, yet people don’t comment on that aspect.

Secondlife is the only “game” I’ve played that grew and evolved with me, I use quotes because anyone who has actually been in SL knows that it is far more than just a game.  In SL I can do so much without having to even leave my home sim, I can fish on the dock, build a skyscraper, fit my girlfriend with a peircing she wanted and I wouldn’t let her buy something I could make, or just roam about the sim taking pictures taking advantage of the beautiful skies. If I were to leave my home sim I could venture forth to a carnival sim in which all the rides kill you, step into a virtual representation of the Star Wars universe, or follow my girl around to various shopping outlets as she searchs for a cool outfit. I was made to realize today that too often we take for granted all that we can do and experience in this virutal world of ours. We can grow ourselves by taking in or participating in an art exhibit, go dancing, meet new and interesting people, but rather than phrase all we can do we denounce all we cannot. We have a right and obligation to complain if services we use on a regular basis do not function properly, but we have the equal obligation of letting ourselves enjoy and praise all that we can do.

I’ve posted the list of those I have for the group so far and after I give it a few days to catch any stragglers I’ll finalize the list and start looking at what time would work best for everyone. Thanks again for your interest!

Digital Artists Workshop Contact List

Secondlife Name                        Time Zone

Dain Rexan                                     PST

Rosie Shark                                     PST

Roosevelt Dagger                           EST

Gabrielle Sinatra                            EST

Makenzie Irling                              EST

Summer Deadlight                         EST

Zoe Demar                                     EST

Belmakor Pintens                           EST

Allias Nightfire                              EST

QueenKellee Kuu                           PST

Willow Caldera                             GMT

Fineesse Fitzgerald                        GMT+1hr

Roxette Wise                                  GMT

Felicity Blumenthal                        EST

Chiara Tizona                                  MST

Aldwyn Zanzibar                             UTZ*

Kiya McMahon                                UTZ*

Lacie Babenco                                 EST

*(Time Zone still needed)

So now I will lay out some general ground rules that are pretty much common sense but they must be stated anyway.

Critque Policy:

                1. One of the first things I learned from doing critques in my art classes was to first find something you like about the piece, or feel works quite well. This workshop group is meant for us to grow as artists but also enjoy a sense of community with each other. Starting a critque on a positive note will help this to happen. It is a given that members of this group will be of various skill levels and that is what we want, any person at any skill level will always have valuable insight and opinion to bring to the group. So we should always start a critque saying what we like and what we feel works well for the piece before looking at some of the aspects that may need polishing.

              2. Everyone must share their piece for the week as it ultimately defeats the purpose of the group if you arrive and don’t have something to contribute. By not bringing your work in you limit the group as a whole and could miss giving someone a piece of valuable insight or inspiration. I don’t honestly believe this will be a problem, but again these things must be said.

              3.  When critiquing try to avoid saying things like “That’s cool!” or “pretty”, its a given what is being created is cool and/or pretty. Those kind of statements do not help us learn anything new. So instead of “That’s cool”, try saying something like “I think this piece is successfuly by…” or “I really like the way you used strong contrast in your composition”.  If you think a piece is cool, say WHY you think its cool.

              4. This group is a safe place for artists of varying skill levels to talk about their work and others work in an effort to learn from each other and enjoy a sense of community. Attacks on someone’s work or personally will not be tolerated, we’re all adults and I know that we are more than capable of acting like it. On the flipside, if you cannot handle someone critiquing your work then you probally shouldn’t be a part of this group. In our effort to grow and expand ourselves we will hear things that may not necesscarily be all rainbows and butterflies. Trust in the fact that these comments aren’t meant to hurt you, but to give you some ideas of how you could better yourself. They are opinions so it is of course your perogitive to accept or reject these comments.

As I said, these are all pretty much common sense but they must be clearly stated so no one gets the wrong impression. I’m very excited about what is being created here and I will keep you updated via my plurk timeline, http://www.plurk.com/ghosty or via this blog.

If anyone is interested in participating in the Artist Panel I can be contacted via Secondlife, my name is Ghost Harris. I can also be reach through email at eidolontheory@hotmail.com