My First Blog? 05/19/2023

What even is a blog anyway? Google says"... a website written informally...." So I guess most of my online existence has been one big blog. I've always added my thoughts to my posts, and shown a small view into my personal world, I believe it's what connects an artist and their work to people. At least for me it is.

So many artists hide their personalities behind a mask never really showing their true self, making it more "business like" rather than a full on self expression. Sure, the explanation is given for their pieces. What inspired it, why they created it, sometimes what their meaning is behind it. But all of that is somewhat superficial if you can't see the history leading up to it. Is the artist like me? Do we have similar backgrounds? Did they have any life experiences like mine? Can I understand them and where they are coming from? Is there a personal level we share or have shared?

~Andy Grammer has a wonderful song called "The Good Parts" that have these lyrics:

I'm sorry if I seem impatient

I'm not a fan of pleasantries

See, I get bored with the weather and what's in the news

The topics we all hide beneath.

That's what I want from the artist...the good parts.

I don't want to hear about their degrees and awards, or the technical knowledge they have. I want to see a person...the true self and not a certificate that says you're somehow best because you possess that piece of paper.

The education you have doesn't always make you a good artist. I've seen artwork from people who have so much education that they're teaching it, but I'm not a fan of the work they produce.

I have seen work from highly visible famous people, but again it doesn't make me interested in their work just because they are famous.

Tell me your story first, then I'll relook at your work and see if it changes from being beautiful to feeling meaningful to me.