The Wisdom Of Frogs.

It ain't easy being green, or being an artist at any time in human history. Back before the camera, mankind had to rely on artists to depict scenes from the Bible and literature, or to decorate their homes, or for family portraits. It that sense we have lost ground in social importance. But for those who want an expression, not simply a well made reproduction of reality, well... a few artists still hold importance.

For a visual artist like me, it is everything. I don't know of those who bypass art on a daily basis? It could be something unique and peculiar, as it will make them ask questions such as "How did the artist do that?", or buy an artwork with regrets and never display it at all. Humans react and sense differently.

Society has to understand what the phrase, "visual arts" even means in order to respond to any sense of importance surrounding them.

Many people in society probably do not even identify with this phrase, and so they place NO value on it or what it might represent.

Most people think in terms of pictures and things they like or can use; they do not think in terms of concepts that others dream up to talk about the tangible things.

Visual arts, thus, are VERY important to visual artists. For others? -- probably NOT very important.

I sense that many people might look at somebody who talks about "art" or "visual arts" in a similar way that they might look at somebody who talks about "Jesus" or "being saved".

I hope that I am wrong.

It is my experience, as an artist, the easiest thing in the world is to paint a clever painting, show it, and the receive universal praise. However, the toughest thing is to get those fawning admirers to pry their wallet from their back pocket and PAY for that thing they praise. Ah... the life of a contemporary painter.

Now I think I'll go back to my corner and weep softly.

I honestly believe that art has become so degraded in the public's eye that said public isn't even sure what good art IS anymore. When it reads about a splat on a white canvas fetching millions of dollars, its reaction is disbelief and contempt for art in general. That's why it's kind of a shame that an out-and-out thief like Jeff Koons gets patronized and rewarded for what he does. But so it goes.

As for frogs - I think creatures like frogs and birds are the closest things the real world will ever have to elves and fairies. They're pretty awesome.

I agree with you Kevin. I got some people who praised me well for my artwork but never bought any. People may say things they don't really mean making us feel great and confident in our work. Though of course, the price is a factor that may be high for them. But then again, all they have to do is ask and we can certainly give them a discount (if they really like to buy our artwork). Competition and marketing are other issues to tackle.

The visual arts are very important. Art makes us more human in that we feel this urge to express.

Political art permits those who create it to speak about society. Arts hold up a much needed mirror to society.

Art in homes reflects the owners' personalities which allows others to peer inside, in a manner of speaking.

Visual art is important to history. We get a glimpse into what it was like at that time.

As for frogs - I think creatures like frogs and birds are the closest things the real world will ever have to elves and fairies. They're pretty awesome.

Excellently put. Agreed.

Kevin.... Perfect!

Are you implying that elves and fairies are not real?
They are - I've seen them.
Whilst sitting on the veranda whilling away the evening with a bottle of Armanac.

However visual art is important to artists, but I feel that it is becoming less important to the general public.

I'm not really sure about less important. It just may be that "art" is all pervasive, and as such we just don't "see" it. After all art in the form of design, packaging, clothing, transportation, etc. is all around us. Some higher end cosmetics have packaging so beautiful that a hundred plus years ago it would have been seen as fine art. Facing this in our eveyday lives is it any wonder that the work we make for others to hang on their walls fades a bit in social importance?

Yet, as artists we continue to make art, sure in the prospect that we will soon be discovered as the next Van Gogh, ignored until our big break.

Artists make a big deal of visual arts. Non-artists do not - they only want what serves their interests, apetites, or survival needs. Heck, I am getting to where I do not even like to use the word, "art", to talk about my image making.

The idea of art, as somebody wrote earlier, has become so degraded by such things as random fecal splats on white canvases that I fear consumers might prefer NOT to think about art at all.

Hey, let's ban the word, "art" from the English language, ... just talk about making pictures, and wall hangings, and iphone cases, and throw pillows, and such. Since "art" means nothing or everything (depending on your temperment), let's just get more specific, when speaking about our creative pursuits.

So what do we do about the title of this website that we are on here? - fineARTamerica - I suggest renaming it ... fine!america ... that's the word, "fine", followed by an exclamation point to indicate deep emotional involvement, followed by the word, "america", or whatever other country name the company extends through its zillion sister websites around the world.

fineSTUFFamerica
fineIJUSTDONTKNOWWHATTHEHECKTOCALLITANYMOREamerica
fineYOUFILLINTHEBLANKamerica

Okay, that's my rant on that.

Come on Robert, you mean you don't love fecal stains on canvas?!! The term art has been ditched a few times before look up mertz.

I was talking to a friend about "art" and my statement was/is "everything is art, nothing is art." I stand by my words.

Kevin Callahan-

"Yet, as artists we continue to make art, sure in the prospect that we will soon be discovered as the next Van Gogh, ignored until our big break."

One small observation on above, Kevin. VG wasn't "discovered" until long after his death, as I'm sure you're aware. Reminded me of a t-shirt I saw recently. On the back it said

"Please buy my art before I'm dead." lol....but how true!

What is really interesting, Bill T, is that there continues to be a large group of people who attempt to define themselves clearly with a word, "art/artist" that is so unclear.

The lack of clarity of the term and its associated loftiness continues to captivate us.

"I am an artist" = "I am nothing." = "I am everything or anything that you might want me to be."

Yours truly,

_________________________ ("artist", or whatever, YOU fill in the blank), Robert G. Kernodle


P.S., as for feces on canvas as art, ... well ... I feel pretty sure that this is EXACTLY what some people think of "art". (^__^)

Is design art?

People visit the Louvre for paintings and sculptures but ignore the broken pieces of jar that was collected from an ancient civilization where visual art begun. It shouldn't be hard to miss.

Solomon, I dont know about the Louvre, but I have visited the British Museum often and found the broken pieces more interesting because I must imagine the whole