Comments on: CRAP, redux

By: Rich Kopp

Rich Kopp — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:21:31 +0000

Thank you for this I too am aflicted with CRAP!
I plan to change that. Yes I am a Photographer and Artist, check my website and let me know what you think! (you can put my website on my reply).

By: Jackie Connelly Photography » Blog Archive » This Week’s Creative Diagnosis

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:07:44 +0000

[...] You can read the full original article here. [...]

By: Shaunie Friday

Shaunie Friday — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:56:48 +0000

This is brilliant and I am guilty of many of the CRAP afflicted thoughts and habits you’ve described. I love your practical steps to fight CRAP and I appreciate the KITP (Kick in the pants). It’s kind of nice to know that I’m not alone in the affliction or in the fight against it!

By: David Coblitz

David Coblitz — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:08:52 +0000

What a great piece of righting (pun intended)! I was struck by the comment by Brad. At first I didn’t think of other artists as my market & went looking for “customers” for my photographic art. But over time I began to realize that a very large proportion of my art had actually been bought by other artists, or photographers, or people who were artists, designers, or taught art appreciation. I came to realize two things. One it’s a great compliment to have such people like your work enough to buy it. Two, I should be paying much more attention to my “fans” & less to seeking non-artist customers. Maybe this results from what Brad said. These are people who get & appreciate what I’m trying to do. I also have always billed myself as a “Photographic Artist” even when selling head shots to business people. I do that because I believe it elevates their appreciation of what I do & distinguishes it from “any guy with a camera”.

By: Tony Blei

Tony Blei — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:51:14 +0000

@Peter: Great response. I wish you would have posted a link to your site — not because it would give you credibility — you have that. You are clearly a smart person whose work I would probably enjoy.

(Enough butt kissing. I’m going back to work now.)

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:48:20 +0000

While I agree with most of the post, I don’t believe the labels we use with others define our self-worth as artists. Self inflicted labels do matter for someone with CRAP, but the use of terms other than “artist” is not the cause of CRAP, even it is an indicator.

Labels are the currency of posers.

Art is the currency of artists.

A contract that is clear, understandable, brief and effective is art (and like art, very rare). Such a contract is inevitably drafted by someone who takes pride in their craft. An artist. For the drafter to tell the world they’re a lawyer is not an apology in their mind. It is not a cover for their feelings of inadequacy as an artist.

When two unlabeled persons go to the Antarctic to take photographs, we could call both photographers. If one goes to create fine art photos (such as JPC) and the other goes to document the condition of the ice, the first may call himself and artist while the second may call herself a scientist. Both may capture stunning images. Both may be equally engaged in the creative process (scientists are creatives too). This post seems to say the person who calls herself a scientist is diminishing her own self worth by not calling herself an artist. I disagree.

It is usually the poser who cares fanatically about labels and brings harm to the label (does anyone dispute Rod Blagojevich is a politician?). Photojournalists and sketch artists should be able to use those labels without apologizing for not use the term “artist” for it’s purity.

I am an avid follower of this blog and have tremendous respect for Leslies’s willingness to share her wisdom. I don’t mean to be posting to criticize, only to seek another way to look at problem of the perception of artists and the arts.

By: Brad Garner

Brad Garner — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:38:42 +0000

I think I agree in full. Those who see the term “artist” or “creative” as snobbish or in a dismissive way probably dont share my viewpoints on a lot of things.

Do I want to do business with people who will never understand me or my way of thinking? Or, should I focus my marketing and networking on those who do? I believe the latter is the more correct answer.

I became self-employed because the world is full of people who want to pay me to do things their way, and I’m no longer interested in doing things their way.

By: info

info — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:56:39 +0000

I think the important thing to remember is not to be a poser. Make art, be creative, show a vision, then don’t worry about what others think. Most people will not like your art… accepting that is liberating. The people who do like it are the ones to go after, rather than trying to fit what someone else wants you to be/make.
-Leslie

By: Rich Green

Rich Green — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:55:26 +0000

I like Bart Simpson’s way of stating it – “Craptacular, man!”

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:51:26 +0000

The reaction of others to how your refer to yourself or your business is real and part of marketing. If the general reaction of others to the term “artist” is negative or dismissive, how does it help your business to use that term? Many people call themselves “artists” as a way to differentiate themselves from business people. If you are trying to make a living as an artist, how you market your talent is vital. If the public perceives someone who identifies themselves as an “artist” or “creative” to be a poser, how can that help your business? If the term “artist” is so important, is the term “creative” a workaround? That term seems to be in vogue in the arts community – and perceived as snobby “by non-creatives.”