The world is so over saturated with imagery today that the most impressive images, which have taken forever to plan, implement and polish are glimpsed at for a second on a webpage, mobile phone or billboard from a passing train and then forgotten, just blending into the all-encompassing neon distraction of modern dross.
Artists and virtuosos used to be highly regarded by the masses. Unfortunately today Pop stars and people who spew out facsimiles of the same tired visual iconography are actually called artists by the media and the parasitic marketing machine, which is so well oiled and old enough now to have manipulated generations, that it takes real effort to track down and find the real gems.
Anyone who creates truly awesome artwork must face the fact that they are communicating with a very exclusive bunch. People who really take the time to appreciate good artwork are few and far between and this descent into the swamplands of indifference is a self perpetuating exponential phenomenon... it's getting worse all the time.
Not wanting to be mistaken for an egocentric hypocrite who considers themselves one of these underappreciated artists, I do want to point out that I genuinely believe my skills are mediocre at best. I am still creative though and whatever we create, we ultimately do it for ourselves... So whether we don’t like the final piece ourselves, or it’s actually incredible and nobody notices it amongst the noise, as long as we feel we're improving and enjoying the process, all is not lost.
But I do think it’s worth reminding myself and others to slow down, take a deep breath and spend more time absorbing and appreciating artwork.
Quote Lee Mason