Dear John: Response to criticism and a bit on the artist plight shtick
So I got this kind of crazy comment on a post.. from John… which I think I could safely characterize as “insensitive” in its criticism…. which I don’t totally understand, accept that sometimes when one interacts with folks online one can forget one is interacting with real humans. In any event.. I don’t think John’s criticism was exactly constructive.. none the less I find myself searching for grains of truth in it.. which is an instinct I find a little dubious…. but it is what it is.
So I thought I’d sorta address his comment in a blog post.. well sorta.
If you have discerning eyes, and you look at this blog, you’d probably come away with an impression that “this cat has no desire to be a social media rock star.” Or to put it another way.. ( picture spoken in a somewhat Frank Zappa esk tone ) “This blog has got no kinda game at all.”
I’m not really sure why that is, to tell you the honest truth. I feel as if it’s just sorta indicative of the state my life is in.. which is.. difficult. Somehow, one way or another, I need to ether work this out or just accept it. Maybe.. instead of all my obsessions and whatever.. I should just focus on healing.
The difficult feeling of an artist.
When you go to art school.. coming in the door you realize you’re kind of screwed.. well unless you’re a designer or something. The plight of the fine artist.. is a difficult one.. and often we toil our lives away for little to no material reward.. In fact, just getting your life in such a situation that you can seriously focus on your work.. That’s a pretty substantial accomplishment on its own.
I think its a kind of addiction actually.. an addiction to the state of ecstasy that art making can bring you to… That feeling that you and the Gods are one. For me, I suppose, I really make art more for God then living souls… Or more for that internal spiritual nourishment. I mean it’s just the one place in my life where I feel truly alive. So if there’s anyway that I can make my way through this life, via this art, then I will call my life a success. That’s really all I’m looking for, you know?
I imagine to be a whole human, however, one needs a bit more. How about starting a family? The only way I could ever see that working out is if I found one hell of a women.. cause God knows I can barely take care of my Dad!
I don’t really feel like I have a choice in what I is.
So the deal is.. if you make art the way I do.. where you’re serious about exploring your own unique creative vision, regardless of what’s up with the market place.. well.. I don’t know.. What can you realistically expect?
I guess I’ll leave this at this — I’m kinda tired.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
The key here is Zappa. He had a lot of haters, too, but only “those with ears to hear and eyes to see” got where he came from. Keep doing what you’re doing. Rejoice in knowing that the haters don’t know the richness of the other side of life.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
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