Showing Creative People's True Colors

It's pretty well known that many folks in the art world spend endless hours preaching the ideals of sitting around singing kumbaya in the larger "political" world. Oh yes, it's all peace, love and why can't we all just get along.  But what many non-artists may not know is that the art world which appears to be brimming with the ideals of the sixties is teeming with people who get up from the kumbaya circle and routinely degrade or marginalize the work other creative people do.

Recently I've read  many negative comments from those who consider themselves to be part of the more "edgy" art community, putting down the concept or attempt at making an income from art - or those creative people who need to do so. Saying nasty things about the work of primarily young artists who participate in Illustration Friday for example is petty and it's mean spirited.

So now it's time for me to talk back, drawing on experience I've accumulated since 1968 when I first sold a piece of art.

First, questioning monetizing or commercializing art is nothing new. In fact, living for any period of time in the world of art and artists - or just knowing someone who does can demonstrate multiple reasons why artists are not always looked viewed in the most positive light.

And rightly so, as far as I've been able to observe. As early as high school art classes as a painter I was taught to look down on crafts. In college that just got worse. Even with the emergence of "fine crafts" many artists view weavers, potters, and others whose work does not measure up to their ideas about art as somehow lesser beings.

Then there are the people who do rubber stamping, polyclay or - gasp - scrapbooking. They are often just plain sneered at, laughed at, and treated with disdain. It's shameful to behave like this to people.

Most "fine" artists still feel - and often act - superior to designers and "commercial" artists. But they can't hold a candle to the "Outsider" artists who scorn anyone who needs to pay the bills with their talent. It's legendary. And sadly, while some of this phenomenon is just born of ignorance, much is simply institutional and encouraged in the art community.

Here's where I'm coming from. Since the seventies I've been a working painter - and a working mother. Chronic illness means I'm not able to work so much these days but over the years I've had jobs in design and worked for myself as gallery owner, and art instructor. I've been a consultant on marketing as well as in other areas. That's brought me into contact with many regular "non-art" people as well as immensely talented people on all levels.

I've put in my time. And I've found success. But what the years have reinforced is that many "ART" makers I encounter not only come off as elitist and cliquish but ARE elitist and cliquish. It's not me I am making the objection on behalf of. It's those newer, younger creative people who are made in one way or another to feel like second class citizens.

In short, a profession in which it's accepted practice to ridicule, be disdainful of and look down on others isn't one which gets high marks from the world; and for good reason.   

In my book ethics, kindness, generosity, compassion and inclusiveness count for something.

So in the end it's my practice to do what I can to blur the lines and knock down the nasty walls between the hierarchy and layers of creative people.

In short, I don't care if you make your own art or bake cookies. I don't differentiate between people who have had a solo show (yes, thank you I have) or  mainly use their talent to knit things for the grandkids. I don't care if your work sells for thousands of dollars or you enjoy making cards to send to friends or buy your cards from Hallmark! None of this says anything about you and should in my view never open you up for others to comment in a derisive way about what you do or how, where, or if you chose to show or sell your work.

What matters are more basic human things. Are you kind? Are you a positive influence? Are you generous and giving? Or does being around you leave a bad taste in people's mouth?

I hope you'll join the effort to raise some consciousness about the issue - but without throwing stones or slinging insults, veiled or otherwise.

Why not make a point of dropping by some blogs to tell a rubber stamper you admire what she created. Or let a knitter know that her colors are lovely. You might even want to tell someone who sells art to pay the bills it's OK to live in the real world.