ArtHelper provides three core interaction types: Following, Connecting, and Messaging.
1. Quick Comparison: Follow vs. Connect
Feature | Follow | Connect |
Relationship | One-way subscription | Mutual agreement |
Feed Updates | See their public posts in your feed | See each other's posts in your feed |
Direct Messaging | ❌ Disabled | ✅ Enabled |
Privacy | Silent (no notification sent) | Sends a pending request notification |
Use Follow to track an artist's portfolio updates passively. Use Connect when you want to establish a mutual contact and communicate directly.
2. Navigating Your Network
Your Network contains all artists with whom you have an established mutual connection.
Viewing Your Network
Go to Community from the main menu.
Select the Network tab.
Click any artist profile card to view their portfolio or initiate a direct message.
Local Networking ("Coffee-Close" Artists)
Connecting with nearby creators provides opportunities for studio visits, local exhibition collaborations, and plein-air painting sessions:
Open Community $\rightarrow$ Artists.
Scan the location tag displayed on each artist's profile card.
Send a Connect request including a brief, personalized introduction (e.g., "I'm also based in Asheville—would love to grab coffee sometime").
3. Direct Messaging System
Direct messages (DMs) are private, end-to-end interactions between connected artists.
Key Messaging Features
Image Attachments: Share sketches, works-in-progress, event flyers, or references by clicking the Camera/Image icon next to the message field. Supported formats include JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
Quick Reply Suggestions: Tap pre-generated response prompts (e.g., "Yes, I'd love to!") to reply instantly.
Emoji Reactions: Hover over (desktop) or long-press (mobile) any message to leave an emoji reaction.
Message Threading & Search: Grouped message threads and keyword search allow you to navigate past conversations easily.
Accessing Your Inbox
Web Browser (Desktop & Mobile Web)
Messages Tab: Go to Community $\rightarrow$ Messages.
Message Dock: A side panel (desktop) or bottom tray (mobile web) present across all Community pages allowing real-time replies without leaving your active feed.
Mobile App
Tap the Bell Icon in the top-right corner to open message notifications and conversations.
4. How to Initiate Conversations
Messaging Rule
Establishing a mutual connection unlocks the ability to message, but a conversation thread is only generated once either artist sends the first message.
Messaging a Connected Artist
Open the artist's profile or locate their card in your Network tab.
Click the Message button in their profile header.
Type your message (and optional image attachment) and click Send.
Alternatively, navigate to Community $\rightarrow$ Messages, select New Message, and search for the artist by name.
Messaging Someone Who Liked Your Artwork
Open the liked artwork post.
Click the Like Count next to the heart icon to view the user list.
Click the user's profile and select Connect (include a brief note referencing the post).
Once they accept your connection request, return to their profile and click Message.
5. Managing Connection Requests
Sending a Request
Navigate to an artist's profile page.
Click Connect.
Include an optional note and select Send Request.
(To cancel a pending request, click Request Sent $\rightarrow$ Cancel Request).
Accepting Requests & First-Message Nudge
When you accept an incoming request from your Notifications tab:
Select Accept (or choose Ignore / Block).
A one-time overlay prompt will appear: "You're now connected! Want to send them a message?"
Select Send Message to open a new conversation immediately, or select Skip / Maybe Later to dismiss the prompt.
6. Connection Management & Privacy Controls
Disconnecting an Artist: Go to their profile, click the Connected status button, and select Disconnect. Past message history remains saved, but new messages cannot be sent unless re-connected.
Blocking an Artist: Go to their profile, click the three dots (...) menu in the top right, and select Block. Blocked users cannot send messages, view your activity, or re-request connections.
7. Troubleshooting
Common Messaging & Connection Issues
Missing "Message" Button: You are not currently connected to this artist. Send a Connect request first.
Empty Inbox After Connecting: No direct message thread exists until you or your connection sends an initial message.
Message Dock Not Visible: The dock appears exclusively on Community web pages (Feed, Network, Messages). Refresh your browser if it fails to load.
Image Upload Failures: Ensure the file is saved as a JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Large files may time out; try compressing the image or checking your network connection before retrying.
Instagram Business Account Linking: Instagram integration issues are managed separately from internal messages. Refer to Connecting your Instagram account to ArtHelper for social media setup.