Greetings members!  (I assume you're a member.  If not: you should join! It doesn't hurt, I promise.)

We have a lot of new members joining recently, and it's been about a month since our founder has posted a blog entry, so I thought I would give a little update.  First of all, there was a slight problem with our galleries, and it now has been fixed: everyone who is a member or a contributor should now be able to submit to ALL of the galleries (except possibly Featured).  I know there was a problem with this in the past.  

Second of all, I would like to share some thoughts on the topic of: What makes a particular piece "Mythology Art"?

Mythology isn't the same thing as Fantasy, although they do overlap.  We are looking for artwork that draws upon real cultural myths.  Often these involve fantastical creatures or beings, but not always.  Generally they involve specific named characters, whether they are gods or heroes or monsters or spirits.  Frequently myths describe or explain specific events, objects, facts about the world, or human traits or desires.  But they always involve, at their root, stories of one sort or another.

So if you have a painting that has fantasy elements, it MIGHT be Mythology Art, but it might not be.  To make sure you know the answer to that question, you should write a description.  When you write a description, it also helps explain to us, and to anyone else, why it is mythology art.

Do you know what culture the myth is from?
Do you know the names of the characters depicted?
Do you know what is happening in the scene you have drawn, and it is a well-known event or tale?

If you cannot answer "yes" to any of these questions, then this particular piece of art (no matter how beautiful it is) probably isn't right for this group.  

If you can say: "This is a picture of Hamadryads, which are creatures from Greek mythology!" then it DOES belong here.

If you say: "It's just a bunch of fairies playing in a field," then it probably does NOT belong here.

If you can say: "This isn't just any old big gray cat, this is the big gray cat that belonged to Utgardhaloki, ruler of the castle of Utgard, the capital of Jotunheim, which was really Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent itself, in disguise!" then it DOES belong here.


....Now hang on a moment!  You have to remember, of course, that we are not mind readers.  If you have a painting of a big gray cat, you better tell us in the description that it's really  Utgardhaloki's cat, and you better put in a paragraph describing that story as well.  Don't assume that the founders of the group, or the other people browsing the artwork here, know what myth your piece is showing.

So, to sum up, please:

1) make sure your picture is linked to some specific culture, character, or well-known mythological story.  A picture of Pegasus is picture from Greek Mythology; a picture of a flying horse is just a flying horse.

2) add enough in the description to explain the mythological significance to people who might not know the myth.  at the very least, name the character or event being shown.  But ideally, give a description!  I would love this group to be an educational forum, where people can some to find great art and to learn about myths, by reading the descriptions of the work, as well.


If your piece is rejected and you don't know why, just ask.  I promise I'll answer to the best of my ability.

Thanks!   Enjoy the group.

--Greg