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Discuss: Stomping out artist stereotypes | BrushBuzz by Canvoo

Discuss: Stomping out artist stereotypes

Submitted by bsherwin at 7/19/2012 8:36:43 AM CST

bsherwin: We all know the stereotypes that artists are faced with: The bohemian, half-crazed painter -- an odd mix of social butterfly and loner -- the obsessed creative who can't hold down a 'real job' or relationship... the romanticized rogue. YOU know the stereotypes. YOU have likely faced them at some point. These stereotypes of artists have long been used in literature -- and more recently, film. The 'artist character' is interesting -- but in reality most artists simply don't fit the role.

These stereotypes -- the classic role of the artist -- are entertaining. They intrigue readers and moviegoers. That said, the stereotypes have infiltrated beyond the realm of mere entertainment. These stereotypes have been used against artists by politicians and others who are in positions that can impact the arts in general. The stereotypes of 'The Artist' have had a negative impact on the art community as a whole... even though the majority of artists are nothing like the characters found in novels and movies.

With the above in mind, how do we, the art community, ward off these artist stereotypes? How do we inform the public that not all artists are inspired lunatics... or passionate heart-breakers? How do we stomp these stereotypes out? I've known thousands of artists over the years -- I can honestly say that the majority of them are the complete opposite of the common stereotypes pinned to artists. I often wonder if the negative image of 'The Artist' can be reversed. What say you?

qp
via faso.com
i am an Artist. The bohemian, half-crazed painter -- an odd mix of social butterfly and loner -- the obsessed creative who CAN hold down a 'real job' and a relationship...

we Artists are professionals too. but we are also in tune w a gift that has been given to us. thus we may not have some insecurities that non artists may or may not have. we are leaders of society. we control what people see. so it is our duty and obligation to be aware of what we do. our job and relationship is with this world. we work w Musicians, Poets, Dancers, Social Activists, and the Spirit, to name a few.
peace

qp
via faso.com
a group show of some half crazed painters;
Opening : Saturday' July 28th 2012. 6-9pm

Venue#
Empire Room
350 5th Avenue New York, NY 10001
33rd st ( b/w 5th and Broadway)



Brian Sherwin
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qp -- That is one of the problems... the stereotypes dictate that an artist is not a professional.

An artist can be eccentric... anyone can be regardless if he or she creates art or not. I just get annoyed by the stereotypes -- by the fact that artists are faced with so many from the get-go.

qp
via faso.com
ya Brian and we are totally insulted instead of being appreciated for being eccentric, brave, different... its all good as long as we and the th ones that kno we rule, is all that matters. the others can keep living in their ignorance/ jealousy. art is truth.

qp
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we have to ask ourselves why is it so hard for most Artists to live ? we pay doctors, finance people, dentists, car mechanics, hustlers, hookers that lie to us, so why ? so why not buy a painting ? is it the stereotype mentality that gets in the way ? isnt music dance poetry and art some of the best things in life ? are we the only privileged ones that feel this ?

Brian Sherwin
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As for why so many people don't buy original art... I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we have been a debt society for so long. People consider the price of art -- and find it hard to bring themselves to purchase. At the same time... the average US worker spends nearly a thousand dollars on coffee each year. Not to mention hundreds each year on gadget features they may not even use on a regular basis. They don't think about how that money adds up -- and what they could be getting instead.

Li
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Personally, I feel all people, whether their an artist or not, are eccentric! At least we always are to someone else!

Wendy
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Well I think that movies, some television and music takes a huge amount of artistic power to create and is what most Americans spend their money on. If you think about the art and creativity that goes into a movie like brave or a show like game of thrones from the books to the actors ans sets. Plays and music too. That takes up a large amount of people's art budget. I know for my family we love going to movies. And it's a tanglable thing. We can say do you remember when we all want and saw blank movie that was great. Where if instead I spent that 100 bucks on a painting or sculpture I would enjoy it but it's harder to share. So with our culture getting most of its art through those outlets you have to look at actors, directors and musicians a lot of whom are eccentric. I think it comes from that. Also it seems to be highly creative a person has to be more open minded and able to push the envelope a bit. As a conservitive artist I hate the stereotypes. I want to enjoy people's art work without having their political views pushed onto me. I also feel a lot of times that artist are expected to be liberal and if you aren't there is a backlash.

Li
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Wendy,

Well said! I am a conservative artist too, yet it seems the world assumes if your an artist, you're liberal! Even conservative and liberal have different meanings to different people and there is a whole scale or a picking and choosing that happens in both camps. It's not all black and white! When I look at and consider art, I do so for the enjoyment of it. The last thing I want to do when I look at art, is to stress over politics! It's OK if content references politics in some way, I just don't want it to overtly try to push a point of view.

Lee Mitchelson
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While definitely crazed, especially if I feel creative frustration, I have always had to at least appear conservative. I have been doing commission and gallery art for decades, but also, I worked for many years as a private home health caregiver, often in hospice situations. I needed above all else to inspire confidence about my reliability and competence. When doing only art, there is freedom to look as unconventional as you may truly be. It is sort of expected, isn't it?
But, ultimately, a person, no matter how they look or how eccentric they may seem to be, is going to have a track record of meeting their obligations and being trustworthy (or not) Having good references from happy collectors are solid gold. If you are building such a reputation, then use it and don't be shy about making others aware of it. People want to know that you keep your word, and they will tell other people that you do.
I don't know that societal stereotypes can be broken, they are so ingrained and there is always suspicion towards a square peg surrounded by round holes. I have a preference for fringe-element misfits, myself. But I need them to be professional about what they do.

Brian Sherwin
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Lee -- Good points. I'd say the stereotype lives on because the public is fascinated by the romanticized image of the artist. People are intrigued by the rebel with the brush -- they just don't want their kid dating him/her. LOL

The character of 'The Artist' is normally not depicted as a professional... that in itself is part of the problem. Think of the famous artists who have ended up depicted on the big screen... Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani, Pollock... all of them had rebel qualities if you will -- and these films often focus on their wild escapades rather than the business-side of their life. But then... a movie about a straight-laced artist with a solid mind for business would likely not attract moviegoers.

KB
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The worst stereotype is that 'artist' is synonymous with 'starving'. The excentric personalities of some of the most successful artists didn't hurt any of them professinally, Warhol,Dali,Picasso,Da Vinci...
It is the lack of business skills that hurt artist.

Jackie
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I am quite happy to be considered weird :)

Li
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Is weird having a traditional family and when did that become bad? I think it's bad when a man has a dozen children by five women, which neither he or the women fund. They are on the public dole (meaning money out of my taxes)! We need a spiritual rivival! If that's weird, I'm all in!

Brian Sherwin
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KB -- I prefer 'hungry'. You are right... the 'starving artist' pitch needs to go.