Artists should be working on artworks...
AND collecting them.
I am always amazed at how few artists have no art (other than their own). It's strange that there are few other arts where that is acceptable or normal. Imagine authors with only their own books or poems on the shelf... dancers who don't go to anything or have any basis of another's style or influence for their craft... actors who don't go to plays or movies (there must be a reason that there isn't a trend of watching only monologues or screen or stage)... musicians who don't like music.
Why is it that so few artists actually have art collections? How can an artist expect anyone to make the same effort (of commitment, of spending) he can't bring himself to do? If you can't let something speak to you in a way that says you want to see it and have it become part of your world, fascinate, or speak to who you are, why would you expect anyone else to have that experience when viewing your art? Hell, in the very least, a purchased painting could be something to study and learn from. For all these reasons, I have collected and continue to (as money allows) collect art.
I have, in no order of favoritism, work/s by:
Nathan Cartwright
Mike Bilz
13:11
Rebecca Hahn
Josh Clay
Macsorro
Marlon McWilliams
Juri Ueda
Geoffrey Tjakra
The Creep
Prince of Cake
Didi Menendez
Erik Abel
Ichae Ackso
And those are the ones I can name off the top of my head. There are others too.
If you are really aware and "of the scene," you should be able to spot the good ones on the way up. I am still kicking myself over an Audrey Kawasaki we almost purchased about four years ago. Her success since has unfortunately muscled me out of acquiring her work anytime soon.
In the very least, I encourage artists to trade completed works. Don't do custom commissions or anything just for a trade. Instead, have a small group of pieces you'd be willing to part with, and find someone whose work you respect and/or believe in and do the same.
Though my usual ramblings are sarcastic and dark-humored, I believe that if more artists did this, there would be a better sense of community--and the individuals would be better for it. I think it would do much more for artists, at least as much as "collaborative works" which I have done a few of in the past.
AND collecting them.
I am always amazed at how few artists have no art (other than their own). It's strange that there are few other arts where that is acceptable or normal. Imagine authors with only their own books or poems on the shelf... dancers who don't go to anything or have any basis of another's style or influence for their craft... actors who don't go to plays or movies (there must be a reason that there isn't a trend of watching only monologues or screen or stage)... musicians who don't like music.
Why is it that so few artists actually have art collections? How can an artist expect anyone to make the same effort (of commitment, of spending) he can't bring himself to do? If you can't let something speak to you in a way that says you want to see it and have it become part of your world, fascinate, or speak to who you are, why would you expect anyone else to have that experience when viewing your art? Hell, in the very least, a purchased painting could be something to study and learn from. For all these reasons, I have collected and continue to (as money allows) collect art.
I have, in no order of favoritism, work/s by:
Nathan Cartwright
Mike Bilz
13:11
Rebecca Hahn
Josh Clay
Macsorro
Marlon McWilliams
Juri Ueda
Geoffrey Tjakra
The Creep
Prince of Cake
Didi Menendez
Erik Abel
Ichae Ackso
And those are the ones I can name off the top of my head. There are others too.
If you are really aware and "of the scene," you should be able to spot the good ones on the way up. I am still kicking myself over an Audrey Kawasaki we almost purchased about four years ago. Her success since has unfortunately muscled me out of acquiring her work anytime soon.
In the very least, I encourage artists to trade completed works. Don't do custom commissions or anything just for a trade. Instead, have a small group of pieces you'd be willing to part with, and find someone whose work you respect and/or believe in and do the same.
Though my usual ramblings are sarcastic and dark-humored, I believe that if more artists did this, there would be a better sense of community--and the individuals would be better for it. I think it would do much more for artists, at least as much as "collaborative works" which I have done a few of in the past.