I just joined and overall my feelings are that this is a cool and pleasant site.
BUT - that doesn't mean there aren't lots of details which could be improved. Here are some suggestions:

1. Groups. The creator of a group should have some small responsibility going - like supervising the group. And there should be a way to enter certain pieces of art in a group. That's a basic function of a group. Or should be. Plus a group logo should be required when creating a group. No logo - no group. The way it is now there are lots of groups which just look ugly, empty and lifeless.

2. Comments. There should be a more direct way to leave a comment. At a picture or within a group. Or adding a favourite. A bit more facebook like. Anything which makes people communicate is cool.

3. Uploading. Uploading big files takes some time, ok - but just changing the data of some artwork shouldn't. But right now it does...

4. Statistics. Is there a way to see how many people have viewed a certain piece of art? If so it's pretty well hidden. I haven't found it yet.

Hope you can use some of these ideas for future site improvements. Thanx for reading this. Kind regards - Udo

Thank you Udo!  These are all great suggestions, and a good time to be making them too.  As we've just released our new homepage and calendar redesigns, more is coming soon, to be released gradually.  We'll take your suggestions under consideration.

Thanks for being a part of ArtSlant!  And welcome!

Cheers,

Ben

Hi Ben -

thanx for the welcome and for  being so open minded...

Kindest regards - Udo

PS - Oh - one more idea... A friends option would be nice too. Don't you think?

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Most participants in ArtSlant seem to be quite happy.  No one has any complaints that I can find and I have looked.  The first search I did was for "artslant" paired with "hoax" and "scam."  I was  surprised to find a lot of hits but pleased that all were of the nature that ArtSlant is not a scam or hoax and that the two terms appeared on the same page often because the writer was warning folks to avoid some  site and recommending ArtSlant.  Opinions on and off the site are all positive.  This is a good thing.
But where are the complaints?
Is artslant perfect or are we all so deliriously happy that we don't want to complain.
I am 70 years old.  Married to the same partner for 50.  I know that a strong healthy relationship requires negative feedback.  As an artist I know that informed, intelligent criticism is rare. But if parties are to develop a strong relationship, they must make their needs known.
I have several suggestions.  Some of which I've emailed to ArtSlant staff.  And I'll repeat them here if there is interest.
But I'm contributing to this thread to encourage you to share your complaints, unmet needs and suggestions for improvement and see if others agree.  
What do you say?
What can ArtSlant do do get even better?
Don't spend a lot of effort and time professing your love for ArtSlant.  The fact you  care enough to contribute says that.

We do like to get your feedback, positive and negative. It's important to hear your needs and wants, and we do our best to meet them. 

Udo--we discussed a "friends" option a few years ago and decided against it.  We're not trying to compete with Facebook or Myspace. Though I do know several of our staff members have made many "friends" through ArtSlant on their Facebook pages (I've deleted my Facebook profile--too distracting!!).  So sometimes that's a good way to go about it, or using the "email this artist" feature or commenting can be a good way to meet people.  It's always heartening to hear of the connections that are forged between artists through our site!

Cheers,

Ben

Hi Ben -

hmmm... well, I see your point. But on the other hand - though I mentioned facebook in the first place (I know, I know ...) - I wouldn't compare it directly with Artslant. Or maybe not at all. I mean Artslant is an art site, facebook is a social network. Two completely different things anyway.

But I would indeed compare Artslant to Saatchi. I like both sites and all things considered Artslant might be the more active one. BUT I also have to say - for me at least - as far as comunication with other artists is concerned Saatchi is far far far ahead. Now I can't tell for sure why, might have various reasons. But one thing they do have there is a friends option ... And I believe that's one of those reasons. You know - it's not so much a question of what CAN be used to communicate but what features people actually ARE using.

So in the end I can't see anything really negative about that feature at Saatchi. And I can't see what it would or could do in a negative way to Artslant. Not at all. It's only a small feature anyway, so maybe someday you should reconsider it.

Take care + greetings from Frankfurt - Udo

Hi Ben,

I just joined a few days ago... was quite happy to have found ArtSlant as a community... but... what I notice is that the fora moving painfully slow... very painfully.

I see that posts sitting there for months and although have hundreds of views... there are no responses, maybe two or three.

So, I am wondering how we can grow as an artist when there is virtually no feedback? I am new... but it seems too me it may lack an actual community interaction. I may be wrong, but I am a long time member of www.modelmayhem.com which is specifically for the modeling industry... and there is a huge community, over 1 Million people... (I was member # 130). Over there is a huge interaction, if you ask for critique in the forum, you'll get it... quickly, by many people with many different opinions etc. Tips from experienced members can be solicited within minutes (I am an avid contributor over there as well).

Maybe I am "spoiled", but that was kinda my expectations when I found this site and made my first initial introduction... that's when I took a look at the other posts... which gave me the feeling of a ghost town.

What are the ways such interaction can by improved, or how else can you actively get advise, feedback or create a community?

Just the thoughts of an ignorant newbie... :)

udor

I am working on my own new website right now..., so it will take a few more days to delve into ArtSlant... but... I am trying to figure out the purpose of the community... because somehow... that's not so clear to me... at this time.

Oh, you're a cool guy - I have absolutely no doubts there, my friend.

Just getting a bit off topic here maybe - but as long as noone minds... :-)

I like Artslant because it is DIFFERENT!!  I'm not into groups or friends or getting likes as in the end what do they mean...NOTHING!

The showcase offers professional jurors and that means SOMETHING!  Boldbrush seems to support the same style/subject winners in it's juried competitions, redbubble is OK, but what other artists think about my work is useless to me.  The buyers, galleries and critics are what matter.