But the eventual prizewinner led to Saatchi Art? Hastings at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28852557@N00/sets/72157623284263211/with/4335259384/http://www.flickr.com/photos/28852557@N00/sets/72157623284263211/with/4335259384/

I think you would do well in art school, precisely because you do see all the B.S. that goes along with it. But do you *need* art school? Probably not. I didn’t go to art school, but Linda did. There are some parallels of our experiences. What school does do is expose you (forcibly) to study things that you would not likely pursue on your own. What you gain from this is wider perspective, that indirectly influences you in your own work. I don’t use a lot of what I learned in school, but I don’t regret a single course that I took, even the one’s I didn’t do so well at.

Personally, I hate the competitive nature of these reality shows, and the humiliation that is doled out without compassion. On the other hand, that’s how life is. Life is brutal. People will tell you they support you, or they like your work, but when you put yourself out there, where are these people?

One person on Flickr (not someone we are mutually acquainted with) said to the effect of, “If people don’t get the genius of my work, then that’s their problem.” While there is some validity to that point, there is counterpoint. What if your work isn’t brilliant? Who’s problem is that?

I don’t know of anyone that has gotten more out of your artwork than I have. So to me, you are a true artist, able to render work that effectively communicates your inner vision. It’s not enough for and artist to think of him/herself as brilliant artist. If no one else shares that view, then the artist has failed. In other words, it’s not enough to conceive of an idea. If an artist cannot present it in such a way that the thought is conveyed to those interested in his/her work, then the brilliance is just self-serving vanity.

One other thing I wanted to say. It is present in this article that you wrote, and I’ve seen it many times in your comments on Flickr. You will start out with a position, expose your thought process, listen to others, and grow. It’s the way it should be. Some people are just too married to their own opinions to engage in a dialog. You are not that way, and it’s one of the things I love about you.

Keep swinging darling. Don’t let anyone shout you down. You’re a force to be reckoned with, and you will find your opportunities.

Love always,

-Don

And… Happy New Year!

The problem may be that good art is generally a “right brain” sort of thing, but the talk is all “left brain” stuff, and the two don’t mix together well. But I do not want to push this thesis too far; I remain confused about my reactions to shows like this.