Are you in a battle with your mediums? Fighting with the things that come out? Loving what you create, but at the same time also in a struggle? I sometimes wonder....

I belong to a number of art networks as I'm sure perhaps you do, but everyone is so nice to each other, sometimes even sickeningly so. It seems like we don't want to hurt someone's feelings or rock the boat. Art is perspective for sure, but don't tell me there's not been a time when you've seen something and you just thought. This is CRAP!!!

Hey... Perhaps you feel that way about this piece even! No?

I joined a gallery in Augusta, Georgia when I first came to the U.S. back in 1999. I only stayed there for about 6 months then left because when we met, there was no challenge. No motivation for growth. We would meet up and critique each other's work, but basically it felt like a contest to see who could blow the most smoke up each other's butts. None of the artists were pushing to get beyond the gallery because they were save and sound, living in their complimentary world. You tell everyone else how great they were and then I'll sit here until you tell me the same. I felt like I had to keep my mouth shut and didn't want to hear any more compliments about this or that. "Even if the hat fits...." it doesn't mean you have to wear it.