The Walk
Happy Easter, everyone! I had an enjoyable and productive photoshoot today, and I must say it went quite smoothly. As my model and I were strolling between our various locations, we took the time to engage in a thoughtful discussion about art and shared insights into our individual journeys as artists. We delved into the topic of the saturation of the art world, where it seems everyone claims the title of artist, yet a significant number of them don’t actually take the time to create any meaningful art. It feels like everyone is suddenly a model or a photographer these days, but much of it seems to resemble mere copy and paste work rather than authentic, original expression.
A significant portion of the modern art we encounter strikes me as lazy and ultimately a disappointing slap in the face to the profound creativity witnessed in real art from hundreds of years ago, when artists didn’t even have access to the impressive technology and resources that we enjoy now. I’m not claiming that all modern art is devoid of value, but a large quantity of this glamorized art seems to revolve more around a fabricated aesthetic and fancy titles rather than genuine artistic expression. Unfortunately, even the big-name brands in the industry contribute to this troubling trend. Major brands, especially in fashion and the photography realm, often support those who own the most expensive gear instead of championing the true artists who are passionately dedicated to their craft. And while that’s perfectly acceptable in this commercial landscape, I truly admire the photographers who embody that raw, authentic drive—not for monetary gain, but purely for the love of artistry.
We also discussed how challenging it is for us as creatives to come together and collaborate, largely because of the presence of the black sheep among us. However, we’ll need to figure out how to identify and remove these snakes from the grass in order to forge ahead. Sure, art is a subjective concept, but I genuinely believe that a simple green-painted rectangular prism doesn’t belong in a museum. Beyond that, we touched upon the role of platforms like Pinterest, which, while useful, are heavily overused. Many people simply copy others' work and present it as their “own idea.” Personally, I might check Pinterest once or twice a week at most. As artists, we should be devoting ourselves to practicing our craft, just as athletes do with their skills. If you’re a model, why aren’t you actively working on poses or concepts at least twice a week? Being an artist encompasses much more than just a small side occupation; it is truly a way of life. It's vital to have ambitious goals that may initially seem nonsensical, yet can be achieved through consistent dedication to producing beautiful creativity. Pouring effort into our work day in and day out is going to propel us a long way. Navigating this path of fulfilling artistic destiny instead of simply selling out for a quick paycheck from those who lack genuine passion is going to be our true test. Many of these black sheep will inevitably burn out and run out of uninspired ideas all too quickly. They generally only mislead false beginners and poseurs, while the genuine artists understand deep down that they are not true artists.
But keep your heads held high; it's all about the journey we embark upon. It’s a beautiful paradox made up of stories nested within stories, creating an intricate web of art and life that continuously inspires and fuels our motivation. If Marvel can expand its universe to introduce a black animated Spider-Man, I believe we, too, have the power to conceive and generate innovative ideas as artists. No matter whether you possess just one camera or a single lens, seize that moment, capture that perfect shot, and take even more to ensure you have a treasure trove of creativity. Don’t let anyone deter you from your unique path and all the potential that lies ahead. Remember, the sky isn’t even the limit; it’s merely a reflection of what your own mind can envision and achieve.
