Yesterday I did a sort of knee-jerk post about an artist that I found and didn’t like. As so often happens I forget that this thing is public. I get used to thinking of the blog as more of a private email between friends, so I’m always surprised when something comes in from …out there.

Well, within hours the artist in question was notified (I’m assuming his web host notifies him of “pings”) that I’d linked to his site. He read the “review” and responded. Clearly incensed, but trying to take the “high road” I think.

This brought many questions to mind. I often disparage art that I don’t like on here – in fact at least once a month as there is always something at the art walk that rubs me the wrong way. One of the curious things I always forget is that when someone puts their work out in public, they are usually only approached by those that approve of their work. The exceptions to this rule are public album and film reviews. Occasionally book reviews as well, but as we’ve seen lately book authors do not take kindly to bad reviews.

I often think of the axiom “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything.” I’ve chosen not to live by this as some of my other “public” friends have. Does this leave me open to ridicule? Yes. But does being nice all the time really protect you from it? No. I sometimes wonder what some of my more religious clients would do if they knew my thoughts on religion. I also wonder if I’m being a hypocrite by working for them. Then I wonder if in fact my clients have already seen this information – after all – they all know my URL. Some of them I’ve even had open discussions with about religion and other things where we disagree and they continue to give me work – and I continue to accept the job offers.

Is one’s choice of religion different than one’s artwork? Ideally a person’s art should come from his “soul.” Not the religious “soul” but the creative one. If you’re a creative person you know what I’m talking about. If not, that’s okay, but you must recognize that artists have a different peculiar motivation to do what they do. I read recently that artist brains are very similar to schizophrenics’. I suppose that doesn’t surprise me, artists look at the world quite differently. They see “visions” and translate them to paper or paint or sculpey or film or whatever.

If art in its purest form is an expression of the soul, then perhaps I owe Mr. Gallagher an apology. In that sense it isn’t bad at all if that is what he really sees, believes, projects, etc. However, I live by the idea that Art has to be better than art. Art with a capital A has to have a set of standards. Perhaps I could explain it another way. Anyone can pick up some 2x4s and build something that maybe looks like a house. However, more than likely, the construction will be very shoddy if the builder hasn’t spent years practicing this skill. We could call the finished product architecture, but that implies that the builder is an architect. Doing so dishonors those that have spent much time and effort acquiring the skills to design structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The lay man picking up 2x4s for the first time could probably do neither (unsound construction won’t function well for long). In the same way, to make Art with a capital A one must “work at it.” Art School isn’t necessary (and in some cases quite detrimental), but usually it can help a great deal.

I still haven’t addressed the issue of voicing a negative opinion. I haven’t held my tongue in the past and I shouldn’t now. I now wonder if all the other artists I’ve insulted on this blog have actually read the postings and simply chosen not to respond. Lord knows the artists I profess great love for certainly never respond. Art criticism is nothing new to the web either. There is even a bad art museum.

In an ironic twist, Mr. Gallagher has now referenced my entry on his own website with a link to it titled “A “real” artist’s opinion of Pat Gallagher’s work.” Ironic because I hardly consider myself a “real” artist anyway. After all, I’ve never exhibited anything (college doesn’t count, it was a graduation requirement). I’ve sold pieces before, but not just as art – they were always purchased for some other use (album covers, concert flyers, etc.). Not to mention the fact that my skill level pales in comparison to so many of the artists I see at galleries like The Hive or La Luz De Jesus Gallery. I don’t even have a real studio, just a large bedroom.

I always forget that someone will like my work, so why worry about those that don’t. As such, I suppose I also shouldn’t feel bad about voicing my negative opinion of other work. Obviously nobody wants to hear that their work isn’t appreciated, so I shouldn’t be surprised at this reaction or any reaction (truth be told I’ve had worse).

Or maybe I should shut the hell up until I’m brave enough to post any of my new work….