With the rise in technology over the past few decades, art has become more accessible and widespread for people all over the world. Featured in the museum of Instagram’s “Explore” page, I can find a hub of creatives and art pieces I would not otherwise have set eyes on. While social media has some serious critiques in how it functions and the effects it has had on mental health, it is undeniable that these apps have connected unique and diverse artists from around the world.
As a young artist myself, my feed is usually filled with beautiful prints and creators. Oftentimes, I find that my feed is a showcase of current trends in the art community. Some trends that I have really enjoyed experiencing are the #drawthisinyourstyle and #sixfanarts challenges. For the former, the trend requires an artist to draw another artist’s piece in their style, and for the latter, the trend requires an artist to draw six characters chosen by their followers. In recent years, I have also enjoyed reels that use popular songs and specific animation formats. One example of this would be the song “SKINNY” by Billie Eilish (sometimes referred to as “The Old Me” trend), which asks artists to draw different versions of themselves throughout the years.
As amazing as these trends are, I sometimes feel that they are not given as much credit as their other artistic counterparts because they are pre-formatted and meant to jump on what is popular. Usually, these trends utilize templates that add a strict structure, and are not as completely original as an illustration or painting. While this is true, I think these trends are so much more than just branding or follower-fishing. These trends are intrinsically human, and they are creative in the sense that they express human experience.
Recently, I had the opportunity to complete one of these trends with my high-school friend. My friend and I go to very different schools and are pursuing very different majors. Since leaving for college, we have not gotten to see each other as much, which although natural, is a little bit disheartening. Together, my friend and I worked on the Coffee Spill Art trend. Essentially, we made sketches, spilled coffee over them, and then only shaded what the spilled areas covered. The trend is perhaps a little overused, but also has a really neat effect.
What is more important than the visual, however, is how connecting of an art form this is. My friend and I connect through art — it is what we most often talk about, we often critique for each other, and we have completed other challenges together too. Art is honestly what started our friendship in the first place! Doing that spill art challenge with him in his kitchen brings me back to that starting place; it gives us that shared ground to explore more about each other, to learn more and to appreciate each other more. There is nothing quite like creating with other creatives, but it is even better when that creative is one of your best friends. The product does not quite matter as much as the process, because no matter what happens, I’m creating something, together, with someone I care about.
This is precisely why these art trends, despite being so scripted and so trendy, are so important. They connect people from across the world. These trends increase our empathy, better our ability to feel for one another. These trends help us find people who like the same hobbies, explore the same books and movies, hold the same values. Most of all, these trends gives artists a personal voice — and sometimes, we find out that we are not as alone as we might think. Next time you crave connection, look to Instagram artists! What you discover might surprise you!