I resisted writing this, but someone kept pressing me to write it
"for the sake of artists who get crushed and quit".
If nothing else, it will at least be therapeutic for me to vent.

I recently went with a friend to an Arts Tune Up seminar in Los Angeles.
There were 10-11 tables in a meeting room. Each table had a sign posted
for the subject that would be discussed there by a professional in that field.

We could choose only 5 tables to sit at for 25 minute sessions each.
The subjects ranged from Grant Writing to Making a Professional Presentation. 

My friend and I went to some tables together and some separate.
At one point she was leaving a table that I was headed for and as we
crossed paths, she warned me to "watch out for this one" because they
had just slammed a poor artist who was caught off guard. 

I thought; no it's cool, I can take it. Bring it on baby.
But nothing could have prepared me for the cynical spiel that followed.

The sign at that table should have read: Elitist Dribble.
As she blathered on in a patronizing tone about the upper echelon
of the art world, I briefly considered lunging at her throat and choking her
until she stopped emitting noise. But this is not very genteel behavior, so I
sat there leaking out precious self-esteem through every pore.

I left there reeling with self doubt.
I don't think there was a soul who didn't leave that table deflated.

That speaker represents to me the art world at it's superficial worst.
She somehow conveyed that anyone not creating the type of work she represents
shouldn't be wasting art materials.
Or oxygen.

I enjoy understanding and being able to identify at some level with each genre of fine art.
I think it is inexcusable when a group from one of the genres, be it Traditional Painting or
Pop Art, undermines the importance or purpose of the other.

Each one has a valid reason for being.
We each have different values and ways of expressing them.
Our perceptions and interpretations of the world are varied and unique. 

Remembering a conversation I had with my mom earlier this year snapped me
out of my funk.  I had just gone to an art exhibit at an L.A. museum and perceived that
the work of the male artists was superior in technique to that of the female artists.
Pondering this, I asked my mom why is it that men are generally more successful than
their female counterparts in any given field?  -relax, I said generally. 

She thought for a couple of seconds and simply replied with 3 words;
                     "emotions undermine determination"  

Whoa   -stop and ponder that.

My point; make your art no matter what. Don't let anyone dissuade you or
make you feel inferior. Don't allow others to undermine your determination.
Man-up. Get single minded. Focus.

It's been my experience that truly skilled artists are very generous in nature
and those who act superior are usually hiding behind a very fragile veneer
and follow the impulse to crush others to stave off their fear of being crushed.

OK,  I feel better now.  I hope you do too.