Mountain Trees by Sara Washbush

Before writing about useful art websites, I e-mailed local artist John Will for his suggestions. He wrote back, “does anyone ever look at art websites?” I hesitated. “Sometimes I do — do you?” His response was blunt: “No.”

A few minutes later came another e-mail: “Other people look at such things. My problem is that I like to look at the real thing.” Most would agree — staring at a small image of an artwork on a computer screen can never replace the experience of standing in front of the real deal.

Still, the Internet has become a necessary part of experiencing and participating in the art world for visual enthusiasts and art-makers alike. For starters, having web representation in some form or another seems to be a must for many artists, galleries and museums.

Saatchi Online takes this to a new level, offering a salesroom where artists can upload work for sale. Of interest is a new “Head to Head” section where two artworks from two different artists are pitted against each other, with the winner chosen based on online votes (www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/). As with similar sites, the plus side is that anyone can upload their images. The downside is also that anyone can upload their images.

A natural evolution from the artist website is the online exhibition. Popular ArtCraft is one such Alberta-based website that showcases a variety of curated emerging visual artists and craftspeople (poplarartcraft.mackenziefrere.com/). Currently featuring Sara Washbush’s illustrious vessels and Adrienne Gradauer and Zacharie Quin’s delicately created ceramic pots, this online exhibit has two gallery “spaces” that rotate shows every 12 weeks.

Being an artist is no easy task and Art Advice (www.artadvice.com) offers practical information and supportive encouragement with articles like “Creating the Perfect Artist’s Website,” “Art is a Verb, Not a Noun” and “Understanding Rejection.”

In the face of Calgary’s space scarcity, a brand new website launched last week by Calgary Arts Development will be useful for many a hungry visual artist, performer and musician (www.calgaryvenues.com/). Categorized by type, use and area, this website enables you to surf through a variety of spaces that might be otherwise overlooked as exhibition venues. A map shows up with each listing and it’s free for both space seekers and space providers.

For gallery hoppers who travel, visit Akimbo Biz’s Akimblog. It provides overviews of what is happening in the art scene across Canada and internationally (www.akimbo.biz/index.php). This month features Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver, London, St. Catherine’s and Calgary. Be warned, however, as the rest of the site is Toronto-centric. For a more provincially based Listserv, sign up at Instant Coffee (www.instantcoffee.org). The online version of Canadian Art magazine (www.canadianart.ca/) also offers the best of the season in every province as well as interesting articles and art books.

More intellectual stimulation and inspiration can be found on Tate Modern’s “online events” (www.tate.org.uk/onlineevents/archive/) where artists and curators discuss their art practice as well as a variety of topics. Artists themselves can head to the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art (www.ccca.ca) and resist the urge to look up their name in this database of Canadian artists, writers and designers.

Too serious? Gain a little perspective by visiting this little gem called “Elbowruminations” by Calgary design group Elbowroom Design. (http://www.elbowroomdesign.com/musings). After reading entertaining critiques of good and bad graphic design around Calgary, including “The Branding of Canada” and “There is no such thing as a good Lifestyles ad,” you can reassure yourself that for all the difficulties that come with being a visual artist, at least you aren’t a designer.