With the advent of the internet and the explosion of online social networking sites, more and more artists are becoming comfortable opening their studios to the eyes of the public. I am one of those artists who is not shy about exposing my process and methods. We live in a time of reality TV and tell-all books, and I think involving artists and non-artists in the creative process sparks that natural curiosity we all have about other people’s lives.

Some artists might cringe at the thought of documenting a painting in mid-progress, but my experience has shown that there is a real appetite for behind-the-scenes revelations. It leads to spirited discussion about subject matter, materials and the business of art itself.

Because of this ability to circle the globe via the internet, is has also become much easier for artists to connect with one another, share ideas, create virtual galleries and explore new avenues of their creative process. In essence, the internet provides artists with the modern equivalent of traditional art colonies.

Art colonies are not a new concept and have been around for a long time.  They give groups of artists the opportunity to live, work and socialize together without outside distraction. A prime example of a turn-of-the-century artist colony is The MacDowell Colony, located in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Founded in 1907, the MacDowell continues to offer residencies which allow established and up-and-coming artists to develop their skills.

The stand alone art colony and the new “virtual colonies” will continue to influence one another and will allow artists to connect with other artists as well as the general public. I don’t feel that one will replace the other, rather they will continue to work hand-in-hand, build community, and bring the arts to a much wider audience than was previously possible.