Supporting New Artists

Morgana Tichondrius has a great vision. She sees a time in the SmallWorlds Art community where new and up-and-coming artists are truly supported and mentored by more experienced members of the community, where the new artist has a 'home' to go to to learn the ropes. In addition, some new artists are unable to afford a Gold canvas to set them on their way; artists who have a little more Gold to throw around can support a new artist by gifting them a Gold canvas and when the new artist sells their work they can then gift a Gold canvas back once again.

It's all about creating a community that supports each other,and one which recognizes the value in helping to develop new talent. Assisting these emerging artistic impulses only serves to add richness and diversity into the community of creatives who 'live' here! The really great thing is that Morgana's vision is nto just a dream - its really happening! If you are a new artist needing help, or a more experienced artist who's willing to give it, Morgana has great plans - she launched it all a few weeks ago on this forum thread. Let me tell you about FSAD's and GNSA's - also know as Funds for Sw Art Development and Gallery Supporting Newbie Artists!

Ruby: Hi Morgana - I'm intrigued to hear more! Tell me how this all got started!

Morgana: Hi There Ruby! Well, when I was still a young artist in the game, I remember that my first times were hard. The game offers one canvas you can sell for tokens, and because of that, no one would pay gold for it. Fact is, I got quite a few tokens, but, I did not know how much my work was worth (because I didn't had no one quite experienced to advise me) so I would sell my paintings at practically at the price of the empty canvas. So, the only I had to evolve as an artist, was looking at renowned artists' work. Back then, I did not known about the forum as a way of learning tips and techniques, so I went to U.A.G. to observe the works of Wheezy Bee, Itis Me and Yourartist Rob. I clearly remember a day when Itis and Yourartist were at the gallery talking to each other. I struck up a conversation with them, and after some time, Itis came to my space, bought a painting and offered me a canvas that I could sell for gold - I was thrilled!

Ruby: It's a great story to hear, a little kindness goes a long way - and it sounds like that kindness had a real impact on you!

Morgana: Yes it really did; in fact that day changed my SmallWorlds painting career. I thought: Why not do the same for others.. especially those who are new to the game and don't know about the forums and need guidance. My answer was to create G.N.S.A. and F.S.A.D.

[me taking a look around in Morgana's Optical Inspiration Gallery - lots of artists exhibiting!]

Ruby: OK - I know a little about them, but let's look in more detail. Just how does a G.N.S.A. work?

Morgana: A GNSA (Gallery Supporting Newbie Artist) is pretty easy really! It's simply about about getting a newbie artist disciple on your gallery. Letting him or her showcase their art, watch you while you paint, asking questions; there are things you can only learn while we are watching others. You, as an experienced artist, can give loads of tips... and you can also learn from your new artists too - I've learned a lot from my proteges! As an example: - I have had Dolly Daydream 2nd and Diogo Lus in my Optical Inspiration gallery for four months now and I am proud to say that they are improving a lot every day!

Ruby: Ok - as well as being really really great, that all sounds pretty simple.. now lets take a look at the FSAD (Funds for SmallWorlds Art Development)

Morgana: Well, I manage a small amount of gold for which I use exclusively to buy gold canvases - a little like a "microcredit" system. Now, there are a lot of artists out there who haev enough talent to make it big here, but at thsi point can only afford to too buy canvases sold in tokens (selling token canvases only generates more tokens - you can only sell a Gold canvas for Gold and a Token canvas for Tokens). So, as an experienced artist I choose to help them! What I ask for is that the newbie artist send me an in-world mail with a link to their artwork. If they get approved, the experienced artist then provides them a gold canvas to work with. They can use it to paint, sell it and make a profit. They can then buy another gold canvas, sell more of their work and so on. When they think they're ready to continue without help, they return a gold canvas to the artist who originally gifted it so that the cycle can continue.

Ruby: Morgana that's a truly great idea! How much support is your idea getting out there in the community?

Morgana: Well I'm so pleased to say that many artists have already joined the cause and we hope even more will do so! Each person does what they can and all adapt the rules to suit their own possibilities- just like Granny Gorgeous did; she is my right hand woman on the project! Actually I caught up with her the other day to ask her about her experiences with it all...

Morgana: Hi Granny! Why did you want to join this project? hagve you made any changes to your gallery to help newbie artists?

Granny: Hi Morgana - well as you know I've set aside a room in my gallery for a new artist to come practice and be guided. I really like the idea of gifting them a board, and I also hang empty boards for them to use while teaching them techniques.

Morgana: What new ideas from the group are cooking and we can expect in the next few weeks?

Granny: I think a meeting with the experienced artists together would be a great idea, so we can get other ideas. Maybe taking names of interested new artists and pairing them with an experienced artist on the thread would help. They can then get together and set up times to get together.

Morgana: I also spoke with Dawn Mogalicious about GNSA - she is another artist who frequently participates in our group - here's a link to her gallery.

Morgana: Hi Dawn - what made you join the group?

Dawn: I've been an artist on SmallWorlds since May 2009 and remember how difficult it was, being a new artist to get enough money together to buy my first few gold graffiti boards. Once my work got noticed and people started to buy my art, I made money and was able to sustain my own 'business'. Now, more than a year later, I feel it is important to help out new artists and share the knowledge and wealth I have.

Morgana: Do you get any feedback from the other artists you help?

Dawn: They are so grateful and have become budding new artists with a lot of potential. It really does give me a great feeling to help out my fellow artist and make SW a better place to paint and have fun.

Morgana: Under the umbrella of FSAD, I have taken 2 newbie artists into my gallery - Dolly Daydream the 2nd and Diogo Lus. Diogo Lus is just 13, but his evolution has been really impressive. I had a short chat with him also! Hi Diogo! In your 3 months working with me at Optical Inspiration Gallery have you noticed anything different about your art?

Diogo: Well, I particularly didn't know how to use the canvas widget itself. Shading and thickness were mysteries to me! Of course working with someone who is always looking out for me and ready to give a hand with whatever is necessary has helped a lot - and we became friends which is always a good thing!

Morgana: Before you came to my gallery, I offered you a canvas that you could sell for gold. How did this help you?

Diogo: It helped a lot. I scored some gold with it, which allowed me to buy more, and also other items (like that awesome transporter in the picture - also that painting was done by me!). I made sure to return a Gold canvas to you so that the cycle could continue.

Ruby: Well Morgana, I'm really impressed. This is an extremely positive initiative for the SmallWorlds art community. It's just win-win all round! Everybody benefits and the entire art community is richer for it! What are your plans for the future with these 2 great initiatives?

Morgana: Thanks Ruby - yes, I think it has potential to add a lot of positive stuff into the community. I'd love to think that some day soon at least 50% of all the experienced artists are actively participating. I believe that it would make SmallWorlds art community a much more interesting experience and would prevent many good artists from leaving it due to lack of support. Don't forget that Helping is much more than a way of playing, it's a way of life!

Ruby: Thank you once again and I hope your project is a roaring success! If you would like to get on board with this, you can either send an in-world email to Morgana Tichondrius - or you can visit this forum thread and add your name to the list!

**[Don't forget citizens - if you know of an Art-Themed story you'd like to see covered in the Chronicle, please email Ruby Rush direct on ruby.rush@smallworlds.com - you cannot send staff in-world email]