Last week a new website edited in Nottingham was quietly launched with a couple of Tweets (thanks Creative Nottingham!), a quick Facebook mention and a handful of selected e-mails.

News about it spread to the USA, through Europe, hit China and tickled Africa within three hours.

Thousands of visitors had a peek from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Nigeria, Panama, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

At www.WeLikeArtists.com they think that what artists do makes a difference to how people interact and question. There should be more of them in the world!!

That said, it is difficult enough surviving under normal circumstances, let alone in the current economic climate, so it aims to try and help with professional advice, and intelligent savings on things artists need for their practice.

One of their first guides offers top 5 tips on how to approach a gallery (from a gallery director who is constantly approached).

There is also a guide on promoting yourself online in 5 easy steps.

Added to that the site explores places to find replacement (free) software to run a creative life, free places to set up professional websites (without any technical knowledge), a list of some of the best online portfolio sites, companies offering free photographic prints (ideal for reference material or happy snaps) and where to go to get business cards printed for free.

Yesterday they also added a ‘Distractions’ section to the site, as a place to highlight some of the things you might want to look at while you should be working. Everyone needs a break after all.

Interestingly, their first featured artist, Nottingham-based glass designer/maker Catherine Mears has been the most visited part of the site every day since it went live! Clearly people are interested in what artists do and how they survive!

Welcome to a site which actually likes artists...www.WeLikeArtists.com

Follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WeLikeArtists and ‘Like’ them on Facebook: www. bit.ly/LikeUs