New Group Icon and Status Quo

HIGH CLASS ART LOGO

I've created a new icon for the group. The old one was... well, old. And new is always better, I hope. If you don't like the new one, would like to have it changed back or want a completely different one, please comment!


But that's not all I would like to say today after many months without a blog update...


HIGH CLASS ART - WHAT IS IT? WHO ARE WE?

First of all I'm really sorry that I couldn't do as much for the group (events etc.) as I wanted to this year. I had a lot of plans and ideas, but my busy real life just got into the way. I wish we can all work together to organize a few things that will make this group a better place.

I think we should try to define this group a little more and start making it a more personal experience. From the beginning when Morigalaxy founded this group until now our goal always was to be more that just a "gallery" to give exposure to outstanding artworks.

We also want to be a community where different views and ideas about art can be exchanged. It shouldn't be a one-way experience where you submit art and we simply click on "accept" or "decline".

A CLICK OF A BUTTON DOESN'T DO JUSTICE TO YOUR ART.

I think at some point we just stopped talking to each other and focused more on voting than on feedback, until the whole thing started to feel kind of dull and repetitive to me. And I think I'm not the only one.

We are no objective point of reference on what is great art and what is not. Decisions are always difficult and each of our contributors has their own quality standards and expertise. I do not believe a voting procedure can do justice to your art if we don't talk about it, exchange our reasons and offer advice when it is wanted.  Please make use of it by asking for feedback in the comment section of your submission. And please, all contributors out there, give feedback when it is wanted. I know the lack of communication is our fault as well.

So until we get better at this I offer you the following temporary solution:

From now on every artist who asks for feedback on a declined submission (either when submitting the artwork or after the declination) and who doesn't receive any word from us within a week will have their artwork invited into the group irrespective of the voting result.

Help us by pointing such issues out in comments on your submission - and please also inform us about expired submissions.

GET INVOLVED AS A MEMBER!

In exchange I hope that some of you will comment this blog entry and share their views on art! I'm very interested in your opinions:

• What makes a good/quality piece of art for you?
• How do you think we could improve this group?
• How important is critique/feedback to you?
• What do you believe are your strengths artistically?
• What are the artistic skills you admire in artworks from others and you want to learn about?

We will take your input into consideration for future directions of the group and possible events. Also, I am very interested in getting to know more of you personally.

Thank you in advance!