A Rant about what else? Art

[balaa]

Recently Daisy 7 posted a journal saying that there were a few folks that compared her art to mine. I suppose I should see that as flattering but moreso I guess I kinda see it as insulting to her. Really she has been doing the realism stuff longer than me...and I truly see why people adore her stuff so much. Its something Ive always wanted to do but for some reason could not get a handle of until very recently when I finally started unlocking photoshop's true capacity...that and I haven't had a tablet all that long XD.

Its funny...when I get commissioned to do realistic type stuff, I wonder if Im really that good. I have always bouted my self esteem when it comes to my art(lets not even talk about the person behind it). I wonder if people want art from me now because they really think Im that good or if its popularity...which for whatever reason I seem to be gaining on deviant. Some days I ride high, feeling good and enjoying the attention...moreso the truly nice things people say to me...and then there are days where the snyde mean comments of the past attack me and I just tend to feel miserable and want to remove myself from all the world. I dont want anyone to feel I am doing something malicious to them, especially other artists like Daisy who are just wonderful all on their own. The realism type stuff I do is close to my heart...I cant even say I have a style of my own when it comes to it..Id like to think there is uniqueness to the way I do certain things..but sometimes I wonder ..is there? Is there anything special about my pieces? But when people say I copied something, especially of my newer realistic type stuff, it stings the most because of how much time I spend on it and how much..heart I try to put into each and every piece.

Its a funny place the art world. One day you are everyones friend and the next all the people you thought liked you turn their back on you. I realize this is just online but to me...the people I meet online I treat like people I meet in person. Why? Because 1. I met my best friend online and then went on to meet in person and she has changed my life and 2. I met my fiance online and likewise he has changed my life. So I guess whilst some people may think I wear a falsa facade of 'nice'...I am not...I present myself as who I am in person, nothing more..nothing less. I always wanted to think the art world would not have the nasty politics most every other corner of the world had..because this has and always will be my only true place of refuge. But I was dead wrong. In my short time on the scene, Ive faced my share of indignation and watched others do the same. Art should not be a dirty game of getting ahead...it should be a place we can all call sanctuary.

But this won't happen and unfortunately today I find myself being the realist and lacking heavily the bouncy exuberant optimisim I usually display.

All of us continue everyday to grow as artists. Perhaps at times our stylistic pathways cross for a momentary lapse. Likely in most cases it is not deliberate, but rather a sub conscious way to explore what other artistic routes are open to us. In the end we follow the path destined in our hearts and find our home in art, something all our own. But never will we stop learning and evolving as people and as artists.

I guess somedays you just wonder if you are moving forward at all because all it feels like is you are backpeddling

Anyway I dont know if this rant has any point at all...but I guess I just needed to vent....

Comments

you don't really know me, but...

[xcourtkneex.livejournal.com]

i personally find your realistic stuff incredibly inspiring. of course, i love daisy7's stuff as well, but there's definitely a difference in styles to me. where your stuff is smoother and more digital-looking, hers looks almost "powdery" to me. it's like the difference between using acrylic paints and chalk pastels. both of you are fabulous artists who deserve credit for the amazing styles that have benefited you and made you what you are on the art scene.
it has always occurred to me that the online art world is fickle, and this post of yours only confirms that. i hate to see other artists get discouraged because of a poorly planned comment. it only drives some of our favorite artists away. it always seems easier to tell an artist about how they compare to another, and no one ever seems capable of expressing an actual opinion of the piece in its own right. while we may find inspiration in another's art, it is hard to admit that a certain technique or tool is not of our own creation or discovery, which lends itself to accusations of copying/stealing from other artists. the fact is...we, as artists, are continually learning and growing, and mastering new techniques can only be achieved by practice. if someone is willing to suggest that you are copying another's art simply due to a misunderstanding of the purpose of a particular piece, i don't find it at all necessary to correct them or to stress out over it. jealousy is another huge reason for others to rag on you and to accuse you of things that just aren't true.
i'm willing to admit right now that you inspire me and your art tends to push me on to bigger and better things. even your cartoony stuff has its own unique flair, at it upsets me to think that someone is accusing you of something so demeaning. don't let it get you down - there are still those of us who are undying *if a little creepy and stalkerish* fans of yours, and we still respect your art as something that is uniquely you and a display of your incredible talent.

ooh...sorry about the superlong post...i should have made my own journal about this one, lol :P feel free to ignore me <3

Re: you don't really know me, but...

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

No worrry, I loove super long posties :D..anytime cha wanna rant about anything go for it...and I will always do my best to read it and reply to it ^_^.

Ive seen your work around and have been rather enjoying what I have seen so far. I am truly glad people find inspiration in my work that makes them want to improve. Thats what it is all about. A community is a place where artists should feel free to share ideas and techniques without fear of persecution. So if you are inspired by something I do and are afraid to try it..don't be. Im not one that will jump on you for it.

*random* >____> Mosquito *end of random*

Im the same way, I enjoy finding ways to push my own bar, try new things all the time. I dont like the idea of being 1. told what I can and cant draw and 2. confined to any one style of art. The world is so big and vast and there is so much out there to explore. I want to try as much as I can in my life, even if they are tiny nibbles of the grand picture.

I think its sad that people cant admit that one person or another inspired them to try this and moreover not to copy it but make it their own, evolve the ideas into something thats uniquely theirs. Isnt that what it should be about? There shouldn't be a "MIIINNEE" philosophy...but I suppose there always will be as long as people are around.

Its funny people think I would be jealous to see someone surpass me in something I initially introduced them to. No..I would be happy to see someone else succeed...I know what a wonderful feeling that can be. Everyone deserves to feel it :).

*HUGS* see I ranteded back at you XD! *snugs*

Re: you don't really know me, but...

[xcourtkneex.livejournal.com]

lol thankyooOOo :D *glompsh*

i am really glad you've been enjoying my work :P i do try lol. you wouldn't believe my reaction when i saw you were watching me on dA, since you've now made it up to "Courtney's idols" status heee XD it's also really great to have an accomplished artist that's so nice *snuggle* i saw the help you gave mearu on her eyes and it's really impressive that you not only preach the sharing art mantra, but you also live by it.

thanks again, i do hope to rant with you again sometime <3

Re: you don't really know me, but...

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

I do try to live by it x.x but sometimes I feel bad because Id like to do more tutorials and such but I just cant seem to find the time! I say we should convert to 36 hour days XD.

*glompshesh backness* I enjoy watching you, your charas floof maketh me smile XD...cant ever have enough flooooooooooooof!