One thing I want to ask you about is community in the life of an artist. How important has community been to your development as an artist?
Maja: Let me tell you the story of how it all begins.. I was a student of architecture, and before my studies I took part in drawing classes that were supposed to make me ready for exam in drawing. I knew my co-students are publishing their works online, so I wanted to join them there.
I found Polish deviantart-like-wanna-be-community but it was hostile and unpleasant there because people were suppose to judge every art and give points from 1-5. Work with the highest score were the most visible so other popular users created fake accounts to score my work with worst label 1 just to keep being on the top of the page.. I was a little shock and then my friend told me about Deviantart. Her nick is Akreon we were attending the same drawing classes before the studies. She was already pretty popular when I joined Da, and she created a journal about me - her friend joining Da, so when hundreds of people from Da who followed her said hi and nice things to me without even knowing me, I knew Da is a place for me.
Do you collaborate with other artists? Is that important to you?
Maja: I collaborate with my husband who is also an architect and watercolor artist. He joined Da even before me (Zawij). We know each other for 14 years, we studied togheter, but when we started dating I was the one who told him to be more active on Da, and how nice community it is.
How does DeviantArt fit into your life as an artist?
Maja: I used to spend a lot of time there, I post every work I find fresh and interesting there.
You've been on DA for 8 years, from your view, how could DA be improved?
Maja: Well to be honest, I preferred the old look of Da main page. Oh I just checked if I am correct but I was not. You started Da journal or some competition/info/news on main page. I liked it better when it was BROWSE and you could fine most popular in 24 h or in 3 days. But I just checked it and I see there is still that folder with users work on the main page. Maybe it’s only on ipad, cause on my pc it was still Da news and journals last time I checked. But it’s folder with new art on ipad, That’s good. That makes art visible and fresh works are more available for the audience. I didnt like the view when the main page was fully edited by Da Employees, I like it better when it’s ‘alive’ made of new popular art.
I think through the years my posts get less exposure then they used to. 4 years ago my new art had better reach, now it’s not that popular as it used to be. I think maybe the audience is younger and less interested in architecture or reaches are designed with algorithms like it works on Facebook. Anyways, I still like Da and I post, maybe less, but art that is selected and with higher quality.
But as my friend Akreon told me, Da is getting less popular, and more and more people are going to Artstation and gain exposure on Instagram. Maybe the solution is to attract older users with some kind of easy made portfolio like Behance, or some collaboration opportunities with large companies, maybe creating some means to obtain a license from Star wars, marvel ect for fanarts that you have millions on your website? As a print maker I think you should make adding prints on particular items easier. It looks like it's only an addition to that website, maybe creating it more clear will be helpful. Presenting prints is also an important issue and I think it should be more visible partof the website.
Maybe user could create her own shop? I believe you managed to create a great community, and you are able to keep it that way. I hope this is helpful
Best,
Maja
