Artists

Artists everywhere must be cautious. The enemy is all around you. It lurks in the halls of the Universities. It hovers in Art Galleries and rears its ugly head on discussion forums, chat rooms and blogs. It tries to crush the newcomer, attack the weak and undermine the individualism of the artist. This enemy is a bully of the highest order and is insidious in its infiltration of the artist's mind. An artist may awake one day only to discover that his friends have become possessed by it. It can be frightening and confusing. A possessed friend becomes a stranger. He displays strange behavior and words. The attitude becomes cynical, the words, elitist and the criticism, stinging. A weak artist, may easily succumb to the possession and meekly follow the dictates of the leader. A strong artist will stiffen his spine and walk to the beat of another drum. And the enemy will be merciless in its pursuit and condemnation of this category of artist.

Good grief! Just what or who is this evil entity that threatens the individualism and artistic freedom of Artists of the World? Is there a group who even has the power to keep an artist from creating his art in any form or any style? Sure there is. And it's called the Art Community. It's an interesting community as there is no membership fee or actual location. The members are located everywhere, even in your own art groups. To be a member you must have certain requirements:

• Dislike any art that the public likes
• Be able to trash Barney and Thomas Kincaid in the same breath
• Be able to sniff disdainfully
• Profess verbally and eloquently what you feel "real art" is
• think that only Galleries can sell art
• forgive and humor the famous illustrators for creating realistic art
• be able to verbally attack any new artist's efforts or comments on art
• be able to gag when the names Bill Alexander and Bob Ross come up in conversation

Double Good Grief!. The membership can be anywhere! Members of this group have been known to spit in fury, stamp their feet, write scathing critiques and are particularly good at looking down their noses at anyone who does not agree with the elitist beliefs of the membership. The ultimate bullying machines, they delight in attacking lurkers on forums, meek artists in critiques, seniors learning to paint and even children learning to draw. They show no mercy in their campaign to spread their perceived art truths among the public and any artist who attempts to market their art draws particular venom. It can be funny to watch and observe.

It takes a strong artist to laugh at the enemy. Nothing makes them angrier! The only way to overcome the aggression campaign of the Art Community......is to laugh in their face and then ignore them!

So Artists of the World, paint what you like. Love who you like. Make money with your art (that really annoys them) and remember, if the Art Community quests were so lofty and spiritual, why are they all so unhappy and angry?

Create and enjoy!