I agree with the first part. But its not like I'm telling people to drop what they're doing. Sites have contests all the time, and there would be nothing demeaning about an art contest. What can be demeaning is a critque, but a contest is too diverse for it to really offend any particular person.
As far as the later half of the post, I used to agree with that ideal. But lets wake up people. There is no "everyone's a winner, everyone's equal". To be quite frank and blunt, in the real world, there is no equal. There are clearly winners, losers, and people who have yet to prove themselves to be either of these two. People want to pretend this is not so, to avoid problems, but its lying all the same. True, people may be unique, but there are clearly people distinguished as better off. If someone has more skill, more talent, and more charisma (and other things), anyone that lacks those things on a level thats lower then the person in question is literally not as good in that given field, talent, or profession. Our society is divided by quality and generic. Thats a bitter truth to wash down, but its still true. I feel, that in some ways, that idea is true of art, and artists. Yes, art is subjectable, and in the eye of the beholder, but on a critquing level (which is the only way to distinguish good from not so good) some art, for one reason or another, or many reasons can be, and often is, simply better looking then others. Art is a tangible thing, thankfully. Its something you can see, and touch. So, if one picture was compared to another, and there are clearly differences of quality and skill level, then its no longer a matter of opinion if ones better than the other, its a matter of fact. No one can deny the tangible, visual proof of art.
Sure, its sounds really mean, demoralizing, wicked or cruel even, but its the truth. My point is, there is no equal. Not here, not in the real world, not between countries, or whatever else you could compare. It would be nice if everyone were equally skilled, but they aren't. Theres always going to be someone better than you, and those not better than you. My whole gripe this entire time has been that my place in either side has not been fairly distinguished. I'm not going to get into it, but my art is good, blah blah blah, BUT its also better (I hate to say that because of how it makes me look, but its the only word I feel I could appropriately use to define this situation), better than some of the other artists here. These artists, for some reason or another are getting more for their effort then I am, when my art is quite frankly superior to theirs in every way. I can just imagine who and what force will come into this thread now to tell me off, damn me, and seek revenge, but that doesn't change anything or help the situation. Perhaps I wouldn't feel this way if I was treated on a level my art is. Clearly if its really good, then I should be getting really good replies, feedback, and the like. If it was poor, or too lacking, then I could expect that. But see, thats my beef entirely. I've proven myself, I'm right here, right now, and its like I'm invisible. I'll admit, my attitude can be a problem sometimes, but that should have nothing to do with how my art is viewed as I've said many times. You can hate the person's guts, but you can't deny their talent. In other words, you may hate the person, but can you hate the artist if that in and of itself is good and neutralizes any agression the person has? If art truely is a way to communicate, then whats going wrong? I'll accept its half my attitude, I'm man enough to admit that. However, wheres the other half? My art does not suck. You people know who I am now. What is it with you? Are you afraid? Intimidated? I know your not lazy, because I know you look at my art and some of you (an undetermined ammount) go to great lengths to see my art. Some of you even put up with my need to make a request as fulfilling for myself and as it would be for you.
Whether you like it or not, I'm good, and I'm here, and without demanding it, I want your feedback damnit. And if you think "Ok, I'll teach you, get ready for a demeaning critque, you pompous bastard", thats not what I mean. If the others can get your opinions and thoughts without having to ask for them, I should be getting the same. I shouldn't have to beg, nor will I. If you want to see my pictures at all, you selfish people, then the least you can do is thank me for them, say something about them, and do something to make me feel comfortable here. I'm sure some of you are uncomfortable with my presense, just as I am with yours. But this is something YOU created and started. I did not join this site with a malfactor, mean streak, or aimed to dominate it. These feelings, or thoughts rather, manifested as a result of your shunning me for unknown reasons. You really are one of those "clan sites". Shit, what hazing ritual would one have to go through to join this exclusive group? If people that can't draw very well (with all due respect to them, as some of them are my friends), how is it their introduction to this groupie was easier, and I have yet to get your attention? What? Do you think I'm not good enough for you? Hell, I'm a better artist than more than half you, so thats crazy. To be honest, this whole challenge thing was to get your attention, if you didn't already know that. And if I had won this contest (which I'm confident I would have) I would get more of your attention. What does one have to do to impress you people? Maybe I'm a fool, and naive for thinking this place would be a place of equal opportunity. But then again, in retrospect, didn't I say earlier that there is no equal? But this is about bias, not equality, and you know it.
Yeah, thats my truth. I might very well be banned or warned for my very potent, perhaps offensive post. Or, it might just be deleted, which would prove to be a waste, since some of you need to hear this and I'm working within the limits of free speech. Should anything happen to me, I'll still be around. Theres no reason for me to be the one to leave. If I'm willing to challenge you, just to prove a point and get some where, what makes you think I'll leave so easily?
Some one had better reply to this, and it better not be to close the thread, delete this post or posts. Its time to stops dancing about and time to address the problem and diplomatically work it out. I'm a valuable member, valuable artist, and an asset. While you can afford to lose me, its not without costs or downsides. I'm not just any member. I'm a member that contributes his free time to you, to give you something you want, and that I enjoy to a degree and I'm good at it, and you know you can barely complain. I'm simply not appriciated, and am taken for granted. And if your willing to show that in silence under the pretext that I'm mean, then what does that say about the other artists? You could very well be using them, and thinking of them all the same, just a bit nicer, since you get along. If thats the case, or the only way it can be, then you ought to start paying the piper with "thanks yous" and a whole lot more then even they are getting.
There is one thing I will agree with about art. Whether a picture is good, excellent, or it flat out sucks, at the very least it should get a "thank you" because they tried. Its still art and the person is selflessly sharing his or her art with you, so the exchange requires you give something. Its just common courtesy. We don't get paid for this. We quite literally do it out of the kindness of our hearts, or with good will.
- Damien
