Tuesday, August 07, 2007

the difference between an artist and an intellectual. for years ive said an intellectual is someone who makes something easy look difficult, while an artist is someone who makes something difficult look easy. i still hold this to be true, i wonder now though- what does it take to be an artist? is it complete disregard for society and the normal views that are carried by the masses? is it pure unadulterated devotion to the work, the betterment of yourself, in the process? is it the drive to continue to come back again and again after many inglorious defeats? or do all artists start as intellectuals, and only become once the understanding has been met- that they are not yet an artist, and never will they be one until they realize this.
anyway- i wonder this out-loud to you as ive been blessed with many wonderful friends in my lifetime. most of whom i would consider artists, or fringe artists at worst, but now i know. after tripping over an old friend on the internet through sheer dumb luck ( actually i was looking at a painting of kat von d, a tattoo artist and soon to be the cover girl for a small cable television station, when i realized the painting was done by an old chum of mine) that ive only known one true artist in my lifetime. and THAT is way more than most people have.
so i consider myself lucky. lucky to know not only the shawn barber's of the world, but also the fringe artists. the people who stay connected to the artists, who teach of their skills and provide the world the service of producing their works for you to see for the first time. enjoy the new link on the side page. this is art. sdbarber.com katvond.net

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