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The Verbal and Visual Vomit of Andy Orsow 
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Why do you still suck?

Lately i've been thinking about my own skills as a creative person, i've also been observing others, some who progress at great speed, and others who, despite years of being in their field, and/or maybe even have a degree (or two) in their focus, just plain suck.

What is that?

I just don't get it.
I consider myself a fast learner, and like to think that I possess the capability to observe, and apply.
And as far as learning and progressing creatively, that's what one has to do.
but this is the clincher... some of these people who have not progressed are obsessed with their field.
They're not just lazy -- they constantly surround themselves with others' work, they buy lots of books, read plenty of blogs, and are very active in the internet community.

The question begs to be asked, are some people just not cut out for certain things?
if that is the case then why would they love it so much? it seems that a deep interest ought to be enough to propel ones skillset? it doesn't seem to match up.
Which brings me to my next thought.
As much as they are looking, talking, posting, and creating, they just aren't listening.

This is not meant to be in any way a tooting of my own horn.
I am generally unsatisfied with the amount of (or lack thereof) detail in my own work and the crutches i that i constantly fall back on.
I am currently working to get to the next step in skill as far as my design and typographic skills are concerned.

This thought process was somewhat inspired by an article on taste that i recently read that i can't find anywere!
bummed.

Well, love it or hate it, its something to think about.


Edit:


I think also what i'm getting at is how important it is to be critical of your own work.

Not so critical that you become discouraged, critical enough that you become inspired.

be critical, keep your eyes and ears open and never think you've got it down.

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Comments (4)

Aug 04, 2009
Charley said...
For what it's worth, I don't think it's that most people suck, I think it's that most people are average. If most people were above average, then really most people would just be 'average' again..

If you find yourself lucky enough that 'not' being average comes easy to you, I would thank the gods - because that's not the case for most people.. Listening or not..

And I also think, that no matter how good you are, there will always be someone who's better and someone who might think you suck.

Why do we, as artists, have the need to compare ourselves to other artists, and ultimately why do we need the attention, admiration and approval of others for our work..

Answer me that, Mr. Orsow..

Aug 05, 2009
art snob poobah said...
In this day and age of modern science and technology, anyone with an internet connection, a P2P client & a brain can download photoshop & become a digital artist.

The artist mystique draws people in - it's expressive, always hip, and it defines your individuality. Everyone tries on the artist hat, I mean even if it's just for shits & giggles.

( I imagine the artist hat would be very Dr. Sues like - long feathers, loud colors, but I digress... (funny that the bleak black beret is literally an artists cap... also used in most military regalia... but I digress further! ) )

We are constantly judging everything, that's what our brains do. Being able to pick up on subtle details keeps alive everyday.

Art can be perceived as the outward expression of who a person is, and shit - most people hate being judged in general, and now there is this ever present external representation of the individual just sitting there, begging to be looked at! Created to be looked at!

As uncomfortable as it is, we can't help but compare and judge, it's a built in mechanism we can't avoid. We all just have to sack up and get over it & get on with our work.

There is no prerequisite to be an artist - mediocrity is bound to be the norm... some people are just gifted I s'pose. Or spent 10,000 hours doing it (read Outliars, Malcom Gladwell)

what a load of horse crap huh?

YAY ART!

Aug 05, 2009
Andy Orsow said...
haha best comment ever.
Sep 22, 2009
Will said...
I notice this same problem with designers, photographers, etc... For instance, I know a guy who is going to school for photography, he eats, sleeps, and breathes 35mm film. His photos are crap.
Me, on the other hand, i don't try very hard at all and i feel like my photos are pretty dang good. but then i don't challenge myself to grow really...

we should hang out and talk creativity sometime. also, imago dei has a visual arts group that meets once a month to discuss creativity and inspire/grow with one another.

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