NEW CASTLE —
Everyone thinks they are a photographer, an artist or a writer.
Why is it that everywhere I turn, I run into people who think they are writer, a photographer, or an artist?
These folks feel that since they bought a camera or own a computer that they can match the level of skill of people who have spent decades perfecting their craft. They plop down in front of a computer and import a couple less-than-impressive pictures of their cat or a sunset and add a filter, and suddenly its a work of art. They are proud of this complete and utter disaster.
In their minds, they have created a museum-quality masterpiece. They tout it to their Facebook "friends" and twist their arms to click "like." I believe if Facebook were to shut down tomorrow, we would be inundated with mobs of people roaming the streets in zombie-like trances, shoving pictures in each others' face saying, "Do you like this?"
I blame the Internet, in part, for this surge of self-fulfilling creationism with its instant gratification and ability to bring truth to the tale about "birds of a feather." However, I cannot entirely affix the full blame on the broad shoulders of the worldwide web. I also apply the shackles of guilt to those who feel it necessary to award trophies for merely participating and to the parents who applaud mediocrity.
In an age where our technology and entertainment have reached amazing heights, why is it that we exemplify under-achievement and magnify those with lackluster ability?
I know we were brought up to be kind and not say anything mean or hurtful to others, but I ask you, what is more hurtful to another person, to let them wallow in their own inability, disillusioned by dishonest words, or a momentary breath of reality from a true friend? A friend who cares enough to look them in the eye and tell them they are not cut out to be a artist, a writer, or the like.
In days gone by it was admirable to aspire to be a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, even a steelworker, but now the title of creative is elevated to that of deities. As diploma mills churn out low-end, entry-level "artists" with portfolios of work that I would be embarrassed to put my name on, it is apparent that the mission of expressionism has become big business.
To me, the words "creative" and "artist" are dirty words. I despise being called either of those, because it lumps me into a category of JoAnne Fabric's soccer moms, wannabes taking painting classes at the community college, or a student at any one of the hundreds of "schools" that claim to exchange money for creative training.
The term has been hijacked and homogenized, thus rendering it meaningless. What was once a grand profession that was exemplified and nearly worshiped by every previous human culture, has been processed and regurgitated into a completely useless form of self-fulfillment.
So if you agree, please go to my Facebook page and click "like," and share this post with all your friends, and while you're at it, check out my photography and design portfolio ...
Josh Drespling
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About Josh Drespling: Josh is a graphic designer at The News. His blog will appear each Sunday.
Discussion
Josh Drespling: Don’t call me creative ... but I hope you ‘like’ my portfolio
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