Building Connections Through Social Media and Art

For me, building meaningful connections through social media and art is a deeply personal and intentional process that centers on authentic emotional exchange and conversation. I define meaningful connections as moments when interactions evolve into genuine conversations where energy and emotions flow back and forth. Whether through comments, direct messages, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings, these exchanges allow us to see and be seen, sharing thoughts, perceptions, and feelings with one another.

I was inspired to embrace social media and the Internet because of my current life circumstances. Living a fairly isolated life in retirement means I spend a lot of time at home and no longer have the daily, routine opportunities to interact with others that I experienced during my working years. Social media platforms and online tools have become invaluable windows into other lives as well as means to maintain and expand my connections. These tools offer communication enriched by visuals, sound, and language, allowing me to share and sustain relationships with many more people than would be possible in person given my physical limitations. When art is part of these communications, the connections deepen and touch the soul.

My creative output online focuses mainly on visual arts, including painting, alongside my written work such as essays and what I call "bad poetry." Through these varied forms of content, I spark engaging conversations and inspire others to join the dialogue around art and life. Receiving the Meta conversation starter badge recently encouraged me to experiment with different formats for presenting my artwork and writing, opening new possibilities for connection and exchange with my audience.

To reach beyond my immediate network, I create posts and reels that combine my visual art with paraphrased sections of my written work. This strategy helps me connect with a broader range of people who experience and appreciate the arts in many forms. Still, I face challenges in growing my online community, especially in developing my newsletters on my Practicing Art e-commerce site and Substack platform. While I want to grow my Substack subscribers—with subscriptions sustaining the platform independently of advertising—my content is currently free. I think of paid subscriptions as appreciated "love gifts," but I have not yet created subscriber-only material.

Authenticity is key for me in my online presence. I strive to be direct, truthful, and have integrity in all my work and communications because I believe these qualities build trust and meaningful engagement. The feedback I receive online—whether praise or constructive criticism—plays a vital role in shaping my creative process and artistic growth. The sales of my art, including wearable art and paintings, are concrete ways I measure the impact of my work on those who engage with it.

Looking ahead to the legacy I want to leave in this third act of my life, I hope to empower others through integrity, advocacy for justice, and art that tells stories reflecting our shared humanity and existence in the universe. My strategy for nurturing long-term relationships with collectors, fans, and fellow artists is accountability. I consistently share my work, promote peace and transformative justice, and find beauty in the sacred cycles of creation, chaos, and destruction that define human life.

To stay motivated and inspired in the ever-changing online world, I schedule specific times dedicated to art-making and hold myself accountable for responsible and sustainable creative production. I envision my artwork becoming part of people’s lives not only through exhibitions and gallery showings but also when it becomes a personal collection that they acquire online. For my collectors, my art takes on new significance as they live with it and experience it every day.

The advice I would give to other artists wanting to expand their reach and make meaningful connections on social media is to first determine your intention and capability. Then, create a process that is sustainable rather than chasing trends or metrics.

Regarding the future of art and social media, I simply want to stay in the game as long as possible, continuing to contribute my voice, vision, and connections through the work I love.

In summary, my approach to connecting through art and social media is grounded in authenticity, intention, and a commitment to meaningful exchange. My creative practice and online presence serve as bridges to others, making conversations and relationships possible that go beyond physical limits and enrich everyone involved. This journey shows me how technology, paired with heartfelt artistry and integrity, can foster soulful connections that live beyond the digital realm.

Thank you for joining me on the journey.

Gratefully yours

Ruth Elizabeth Nuckols Cox Williamson