Flickr is, without a doubt, the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. If you’re an artist and you’re not on flickr you are missing out.

Here is one of my favorite Flickr stories and I hope it encourages you to sign up and take advantage of the free service they offer.

My friend, who goes by the name of Stenzskull for his art, had reached the point where he really needed a website to direct people to so they could check out his paintings. Lacking the necessary skills to design his own site I suggested he buy his own domain name, set up a flickr account, and have his new URL forwarded to his flickr page. It may not be an “official” Stenzskull site, but it’s a start and it’s given him exposure he never imagined.

Before the presidential election Stenzskull was painting some Obama portraits and posting them on flickr.

It didn’t take long before somebody from MoveOn.org found Stenzskull’s work and invited him to participate in Manifest Hope: DC, an art show commemorating the inauguration of Barack Obama.

All because Stenzskull starting posting his artwork on Flickr! Pretty cool, right? Well, it gets better!

After the art show a book was published called “Art For Obama” featuring all the artists that participated in the show and it was edited by Shepard Fairey, which is one of Stenzskull’s hero’s. Now Stenzskull’s artwork is published in an actual book that was edited by one of his favorite artists.

In my eyes Stenzskull is a DIY Rockstar!

If you’re still not on Flickr what the hell are you waiting for?!?!