/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

So, guys, maybe it's time you stopped fretting about 'ooh is my artwork good, am I popular, do people like me?' and instead, work towards finding your way into a personal journey of study and growth, in which you explore themes and techniques and particular atmospheres and moments and emotional states through art that interest you for their own sake, and make this your life's work.

This is what real artists have always done. And it is something that cannot be taken away from you by a bunch of chinks grinding out impressive illustrations and concept art in a sweatshop somewhere. It is something that can't be taken away by anyone or anything.

If art is to mean anything at all then it is to be a way to understand life and your own memories and experiences and subjective view of the world, and to achieve a kind of enlightenment and suspension of time through encapsulating pure experience without the illusory nature of personal will to obfuscate it.

If you're really vain enough to only care about looking awesome and impressing people with your totally wicked concept illustrations then I've got news for you: you will never be good enough. You will never be the best. You will always be anxious and jealous about your work. And you will always be completely fucking replaceable by some kid who's stumbled upon cool stylistic techniques. Oh, and you'll become outdated after a few years.

Stop wringing your hands. Do what you must to live, and make art.