I felt compelled to respond, 11 years after you posted this comment, as I feel it contains a lot of truths about modern Modern artists.
I should clarify: I am an artist, I have BPD -- used to have an acute psychosis earlier in my life (delusions, hallucinations et al).
The first thing you said is so on point.
Well, exactly, rooball. Who wants to be a stereotype?... no one does... Not unless you want to do your art part-time and sporadically, and work as a barista or waiter or busboy all your life.
In the first few years of my
career as an artist I noticed that coming across as a normal, reliable guy helps if you want to go further. I two years I had multiple exhibitions and displayed work in two museums -- the perfect start for a wannabe future
art star.
But I couldn't keep up appearances. I'm not a sociable person, I'm a loner. I don't enjoy talking with people, networking etc. I don't even enjoy promoting my art.
After a while I reverted back to type. I just made art in my studio, and nobody saw it because I didn't show anyone. And I wasn't concerned.
If I had a dedicated team of promoters behind me doing all of the business I know that my name/brand would carry a lot more weight in the art world.
It comes down to what you want out of it. If you really want fame and/or acknowledgment then you have to conform -- or at least have a network of people around you who are dedicated to you.
If you just want to create and don't care about recognition then you needn't do a thing except that.
Problem is unless you are already independently wealthy you're going to have to
work as a barista or waiter or busboy all your life in order to fund your practice.
And this is where many creatives truly struggle to find their conviction. Many end up just quitting.
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