OMG...I drew a straight line....I'm an artist!!!!( and you can be too)
I think its strange that ppl call themselves artists(talking more about visual artists that performing artists here)...but can't draw worth a damn. How can you be an artist if you've yet to master basic skills past that of an average person? I think that's why I have a problem with photographers and abstract artists. Photographers...you are bound to get something good if you take a 100 shots....its not talent, just probability. This is obviously not the case for every photographer. I do however find this to be the case often times when I don't really a particular artists work or don't see the usefullness of thier work...and realize they aren't actually "artists". I could call them photographers....I guess....but not artists. Or...just someone who likes to take pictures.
For example: someone I know 'specializes in photography' who dubs themselves an "artist" showed me some pictures that were drawn....they sucked. They sucked ass....they looked like pictures I drew when I was in 7th grade, and trust me it wasn't what they were going for. They obviously failed to master basic concepts of light and shading and color....I was shocked. I'm not saying it to be mean, the pictures just looked horrid.
Just to make sure it wasn't just "me" I asked a few people's opinion, including current artists and art students. They were surprised that the person had gone to art school even....and looking at their old work they wondered why the person wasn't told sooner that maybe their work...just wasn't good enough. Its a hard thing to hear I'm sure....but wouldn't you want to know before entering the real world as a "working artist"? .
This is not to say that you have to master every single medium...of course not. But you should be familiar with as many as possible, and if given something to work with.....be it a camera, pencil, wax, string, or a piece of charcoal....an artist should be able to create something....worthwile.
I guess I know too many "would-be" artists....or ppl who like the idea of being artists...it just gets lame after a while. They seem to disregard the very real possibility that....they aren't good enough. Its nothing to be ashamed of.....although it is irritating, especially when they've paid $90,000 to get a degree that says you should be good enough.
So friends...when you ask my opinion about your artwork.....be prepared to answer questions...and perhaps get a response that you don't like. I would say sorry....but I'm not. I have no reason to be.
On an ENTIRELY different note: Going to Erotica 07' in London next week.....yeah I'm excited.