I have been thinking and planning this for quite a long time. I want to start an "activity group" to help motivate myself and others to extend their artistic/creative/imaginative abilities. Yes, I know it sounds like a "club" and I guess it really is, but "club" conjures up ideas of fandom (which I have nothing against) and/or popularity contests, which is not what this is for. And I sense a lot of people have lost some of their sense of "fun" with dA which is a shame, so I hope this will restore a little of that for them. But we need a NAME! Even if you're not interested in participating in the group (why not though? It'll be fun!) I'd love your feedback for a good name (and you'd still get the prize if it's chosen!) Please read below for a little info:

Group Name
Please refer to "Group Purpose" and "Group Challenges" for inspiration, but we need a good name for our group. Once I have the name, I will set up the group page where people can join and get info, etc. The winning name will be decided between myself (group owner and co-moderator) and ~pixmaina (the other co-moderator.) The winner will receive a 3 months dA subscription, a gallery feature on the group page, and bragging rights.

Group Purpose
The sole purpose of this group is to force ourselves to be creative by doing random things we otherwise might not do. I am quite good at animal and human portraits, as long as I have a good reference, but my knowledge of anatomy in general is shaky and I'm not terribly good at anything else, but I want to be! Some people are really good at perspective drawing or design, but not life drawing. Some are great at pencil or ink, but not traditional color or digital, and vice versa. This is a group designed to make you think and try new ideas and approaches; to be experimental and yet still hone the skills you are already good at.

Group Challenges
Group challenges will be held once a month starting as soon as there are enough members to make it worthwhile; hopefully by June/July 2008. The first challenge will be to come up with an illustration for the group based on the winning name which will become the group ID. The ID challenge may take a little longer, but after that members will have three weeks to submit their entry. Submitting work each challenge is not required, and you can choose to vote or not. Voting for the winner of each challenge will open within 24 hours of the submission cutoff and continue for five days. At the end of that time the winner will be announced. (A longer submission time is being considered... please feel free to give your opinion on this!)

The winner of each challenge wins a one month subscription to dA, the honor of choosing the next challenge, and entry into the annual competition. These challenges must be based on single words, the more random the better. (Guidelines will be up on group page) The first challenges ~pixmaina and I did were "drizzle" and "ornery" - that gives you an idea. There is more, but full details will be posted when the group is up. And I may not be prolific in my art, but I take commitments seriously, so this group will be a priority. I may not always participate, but I love to support others.


PLEASE "note" me with name suggestions or questions. For now you can note me or comment on this journal or my main page if you'd like to join or be notified when the group is up. Pimpage of the group is encouraged so tell your friends, but please, only adept artists over eighteen! (Membership age is also still under consideration and open to feedback)