i reblogged this just to comment - that mixed media -( which could be anything from oil paint with thread thrown in to abstract acrylic with papers and everything in between )- supplies are generally more readily available and cheaper. i have a lot of rants in me about access to expensive supplies and the time to study and work but i won’t do it now. the comment below, that it’s a wasteland of mediocrity - anyone can do it, could apply to just about any art medium. and the wasteland of mediocrity extends to oil painting, ceramics, sculpture, et al. trust me. there’s very little art in the world, when you think in terms of how much there is out there, that appeals to me. having said that, just because anyone can do it, doesn’t mean they can do it well, with thought and composition and that intangible element that makes it work. defining anything as art is completely subjective but most of us know it when we see it, even if we don’t necessarily like it. on the other hand, even if someone does something poorly, but it brings them great joy, it’s worthwhile for them as an act of expression. i’m a published poet and i’ve sat through my share of open mics in the day listening to people read straight from their journals or napkins (eh). however, if any of the folks in that category decided to go to the next level and take their work public, it probably won’t be well received. though, even there, we can bring up the well known fact that picasso never sold a piece of art in his life. so what does that even mean in such a light?
having said that now, dear readers, there was a time when it was hard for writers to get local grants because ‘don’t they just need a pen and paper?’. so, having been marginalized in one way or another, i don’t want to marginalize anyone else.
i would much rather worry about my own thing, and let others do theirs and let fate decide the rest. of course, i reserve my right to rant now and anytime in the future about the state of art today. anythingcouldhappen is right - about the wasteland, IF we throw that term across all creative endeavours, please please please can we include performance art in there, too???? but i wouldn’t ever want to take the joy out of personally creating something and expressing yourself from someone. doesn’t mean they should get published or get gallery shows … but we have to always remember that the idea of what is good or great, or fine art is very subjective, not only to personal taste but also to time and societal movement.
oh well…i did blather on. just wanted to get it out. for the record, everyone starts somewhere. and no one’s first efforts are pure genius without need of editing or refinement. i’m a tomato snob, a lettuce snob, a poetry snob and an art snob, no doubt. i just think there’s a place for everyone in the world , whether it’s your own home or a gallery. i’m happy that anyone is creating instead of fighting or lingering in depression. have a great weekend…
Richard Russell, “Hard candy”. From the Sickbed series.
If you have even a passing interest in collage/mixed media, I don’t need to tell you that it’s a wasteland of mediocrity (anyone can do it!). But Richard Russell’s work is rare and wonderful—for its uncanny, but intuitive juxtapositions, its subdued and graceful palettes. Plus he has an encaustic series, which is pretty much my favorite medium.
