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In pondering my next newsletter I remembered an interesting episode of the short lived Dilbert cartoon series that aired on UPN a few years back. Pointy Haired boss decides that the art world is ripe for exploiting and charges Dilbert with making some art for the company to sell. Dilbert, being the engineer and logical thinker is flabbergasted that he would be asked to step out of his left brain and tackles the assignment as any product engineer might: he convenes a focus group. A hunter, a housewife, a nerd, and an interior decorator all pitch in their ideas of what they like; ducks and the color blue are the consensus. So, Dilbert creates a blue duck on his computer given the parameters of what he perceives people will like.
Sure enough, Blue Duck is a hit! It’s selling like hot cakes. T-shirts, billboards, and even the Amish are caught up in the craze as Blue Ducks replace the normal circular designs upon their barn sides. Dilbert is a corporate hero! Then, suddenly he is whacked on the head and hustled off into a crazy looking contraption of Leonardo da Vinci design and brought blind folded into the great inventor’s presence. Aside from that he’s supposed to be dead, Leonardo exclaims that Dilbert’s Blue Duck is infringing upon the family business; the five families of art who control what is art and what isn’t and their relative pricing are none too happy with this upstart and his focus group concocted creation. Leonardo, in a none to hidden impersonation of Marlin Brando’s cotton mouthed mumblings, tells Dilbert that the only way something can be called art is if it has been approved by one of the five families. Unperturbed Dilbert declares that no one can decide what is art and what isn’t but only what the soul tells him and his Blue Duck will continue to rise in popularity. But, like most fads that reach saturation when what was chic no longer maintains hold of that oft elusive status but becomes pedestrian instead, Blue Duck plummets in popularity. Mass marketed art falls victim to fickle consumerism.
Though the episode was more farce than message it did explore in tongue in cheek way the peculiar relationship between art and popular art and who gets to decide what makes the grade and what does not. The side story followed Dogbert as he bets Dilbert that art is whatever anyone who appears authoritative says it is and proceeds to prove that people will buy anything if it is packaged properly, even dirty laundry filched from Dogbert’s Laundry and sold next door in Dogbert’s Art Boutique.
Who does decide what carries the title of “art” and what does not? One would suppose that because someone, a teacher perhaps or an art historian, tells us it is that it must be so. I can look at a painting hanging on the wall and know it is art because someone went to a great deal of trouble to build a museum around it and charge me 5 dollars to stand in front of it for five minutes wondering what all those squiggles actually meant to the artist. I will admit that I find more meaning in the realist painters than in the surrealists but even they are held in my own higher regard than the modernists. I’d much rather peruse a collection of Remington’s work than of Pollack’s. If it where left up to me, much that is art by the collective acceptance of the academic world would be chucked out for what speaks most to my own peculiar eye.
Yet, that is the point is it not; what speaks to you? Is that childish coloring adorning your refrigerator art or just some crazy looking whatsamawhosit? What is it that you find yourself trying to do with your writing? Are you waiting for someone to tell you it is good or declare it art by purchasing it or are you writing it because you have something to say? Some make a living declaring what is art and what is not and others marketing what they hope will become the next big thing. If Art is subjective to the eye that beholds it then the eyes of some stuff that is labeled as art are very crossed indeed! But even this is outlandish to declare for I cannot have the eye of everyone in creation. So now we are left with the original question of what makes art. Let’s factor out popular art from the equation for it is mostly fad and marketing. It is what the hip crowd chases after to be more hip and outlandish than they were yesterday.
There must be a fine line between pedestrian and art. Art being the other end of the bell curve possibly with all else being pedestrian or worse. Yet, is this another way of attempting to make Art something special and guarded? Will our minds refuse to behold the mention of Art being what is created with soul and heart? Is it too fantastic to utter or believe in?
I will not compare my scribbling to that of a Thoreau or Faulkner for they created on a different plane than I tend to. Nor will I put myself upon even par with these two. Nor will I shrink back from maintaining that art is what is created when we listen and write down what we hear. I call it art and not Art for the capital “A” brings with it a sense of stuffy importance and commerce. Those scribbles on your fridge are no less creative than your worst poem; they share in the act of creating and that act is art. It may not be good art or great art or something that will one day hang in a museum or adorn a classic wood paneled library but it may be the art that soothes the soul, heals a wound, and speaks to someone’s heart.
How would you describe your “art”?
Have you lost your art to the pursuit of “Art”? What is more important to you: to create or to be a great creator?
phil1861
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Just a few items relating to art that I found.
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It never ceases to amaze me how a missive which bethots to me poorly crafted can generate so many responses and one of high genius and craft generate so few. This NL was one of those that I'm gratified communicated something of note to so many.
Question from 8/03 NL
What are some of your successes? Are you proud of them or ashamed because they are not large enough?
What are some of your goals in creativity?
alexnuma
Submitted Comment:
Dear thePookie,
Thank you for the newsletter. My wits stumbled on your "trust fund brats", beautifully coined expression, and so true.
Yes, the writing part of humanity seems often blindfolded in its quest for commercial success. I suppose one can say that very few are those writers in history who have written deliberately for success and achieved it, as if the Muse is not amused by money matters.
Could we not say that the purity of the act of writing for art can only be truly assessed by the conscience of the writer, and not by the judgment of an audience? This shifts the problem onto the question of delusion and how to prevent it from clouding our conscience.
How peaceful would it all be if the act of writing always matched that of making paper boats which are launched into the river without any fear of judgment, just the satisfaction of seeing them float until they are completely out of their creator's sight.
Alec Numa
We are in a world that often values what is contrary to the soul or spirit and judging between the two is often difficult. The pursuit of one leads to sorrow during the lifetime but may bring success generations later, though as the writer of Ecclesiastes would say, “a chasing after the wind”. Those who do find success must be able to write for both worlds in order lest they cease their efforts when the world rejects their attempts.
writeone 
Submitted Comment:
Thank you Thank you Thank you
I struggle often. I actually have the "published" taste in my mouth I want it so bad. It is a yearning ... and I think I have to learn just to go with what I'm doing right now: find my voice, find my heart poured out on the page, hoping it is naked enough to touch someone.
I truly appreciate the encouragement.
Writeone
Those things are important to know and trust oneself in before anything will satisfy in the long run. Money is nice but it slips through the fingers like sand and fame is nice but it drains the soul eventually.
Felicitus
Submitted Comment:
My constant goal in the area of creativity is to finish what I begin. That is, to satisfy myself that I have done my best, or my best at that time. If I would place my manuscript in a book on my own bookshelf, I have succeeded even if no one else would ever want to read it. But is it done, you ask. Yes, but maybe not. I can always revisit it later.
Completing something is the ultimate goal of NaNoWriMo and it is so simplistic that it often goes unnoticed in the rush to become something else.
Fyn 
Submitted Comment:
As an author, I write about many subjects, incidences, happenings or life moments. Some have occured within the framework of my life, but many others have not and are a result of my imagination combined with research.
I am appreciative of reviewers who 'feel' my pain, joy or other emotion, and I appreciate that their 'feeling' a certain way is a reflection of my writing ability. My question is this, something of a 2-fold one...How does one respond to a reviewer's honest reaction which is an empathetic understanding of an event which may not have ever happened? And secondly, in a fictional essay, story, poem etc, why do reviewers often assume that what is written is, indeed, fact. Has the ability to write well been lost in the 'write what you know' mantra such that everything one writes is therefore 'truth?'
Interesting questions, informing the reviewer that their response is well received but the events did not happen and explain how you arrived at such detailed and emotional placement. That one piece of advice is bandied about so often that it is a wonder we experience writing of any kind of freshness. There is a reality to it, but what the conscience does not know the sub-conscience might. It is within our ability to reason and to listen and grasp something that we may not have concrete experience in.
Ash
Submitted Comment:
This was an awesome newsletter. I really enjoyed reading it. As for your questions...
In English we were asked to write a poem, and mine was chosen to be put into the school's book of poetry, and short stories. I was glad it was chosen but at the same time I was slightly disappointed. I like writing poetry every now and then, but I love to write stories, so it didn't seem like anything big...
Someday I hope that I will finish my book and that it will be published. I don't aspire to be famous I would just like to see my book in print and know that at least one person liked what I wrote. That would be success.
jessi
powerofthepen
Submitted Comment:
I love this newsletter! Thank you for being such a positive influence on our (well, mine at least) writing!
Voxxylady 
Submitted Comment:
I love this: "Those who die with the most toys leave their survivors with the most junk to get rid of..."! It's a thought I've had with inherited stuff sitting around and other stuff I don't want to force upon my kids/grandkids. Paring down is good for houses and stories both.
My successes include self-publishing two novels after much editing and revision, but even more are the beautiful comments. My main goal is not to be famous, as I'll never be the next Marilynne Robinson, but for my work to reach people. Even if I have only a handful of readers, I'm quite happy to hear that it means something to them and touched their lives. That's why I write. I have something to share.
Those are good goals to have indeed and it’s good that you are contented with what you can do. Barry Bonds may indeed brake the Babe’s record of home runs but we all know it has come at an artificial price; sacrificing his integrity to break the record and hear the cheering for a brief moment but in the end going down in the annuls with ignominy, fame can do that to a person.
coolestscottie
Submitted Comment:
I know exactly what you mean about perfectionism and trying to "fit in "with everyone else.I spent years trying to make myself liked ,espescially by my dad. Then I thought to myself"Why am I bothering?". That kind of set me free to be myself. If people don't like me , it's not because I'm not a nice person, so be true to thyself as one author said! Writing is a way to touch people, to express feelings...
glory
Submitted Comment:
In reference to the question in August third's newsletter, I believe that many writers reach a debacle in their lives when they write something that is - short. I, as a writer know that; via your reputation, you are tricked into believing that a short skit (if you will) can provide humiliation or trepidation (trepidation in my case). But I've come to the realization that it is not in the merit of the length of the paper, it is in the merit of the very words themselves, and there we find a lesson of humility and confidence.
So in conclusion, whatever you write, write it with Purpose, purpose that reaches behind the highest heights; even if you don't think so.
Until next time,
Glorygirl
nobody
Submitted Comment:
I am limited to my fellow writers and prase God there are plenty to keep me happy Du ves nem!
Johnny_mac
Submitted Comment:
There is a proverb that states: 'We all, in time, reach our own level of incompetence.'
Such a truism don't you think!
Johnny_mac
LovelyOne 
Submitted Comment:
This was very good advice. I knew most it already and try to remember to follow it in my own life. But, sometimes I do get discouraged. I too am a perfectionist. And though I am usually ready and willing to cut others some slack, I find it difficult to except anything but top quality from myself. ... So, it is good to be reminded of these things from time to time.
We self block more often on this one side of wanting something that getting around it all to just express becomes a victory.
rjsimonson
Submitted Comment:
I have been on the site for a few months now and I have never read a news letter that has inspired me or given me hope for my own personal goals like this one has. I guess my first goal was simply to be published, once that happened and fairly quickly too, it did not take me long to figure out, my next goal was to be published and be paid for it, not just recognized. My goal was not really ever to be famous as I figure that there are 100's of writers. I just wanted to be good and enjoy writing. Everyone has a different opinion; I just wanted to raise one in the reader even if it was bad they did remember.
I think this is the best quote I have seen in a long time "Communication is no trivial thing."
Sincerely,
Renee
Glad you are enjoying your stay here and learning what it is within you that desires to communicate and to touch. For these reasons alone if you can master them you are way ahead of many.
Kenzie 
Submitted Comment:
Great newsleter, thePookie (61)
It's true that many believe that a novel is required of a writer, and the only measure of success. When I worked for a local newspaper, each and every person in the newsroom had a novel in progress. Personally, I've never considered that my goal. Rather, if one person is touched by just one of my stories or poems, I've succeeded. But each of us must define our own goals and what we require of ourselves to determine success.
Blessings,
Kenzie
J. A. Buxton
Submitted Comment:
Might I be allowed to brag and puff up my chest a bit?
My first novel, Home of the Red Fox, just went on sale at E-Booktime.com today. I know, I didn't go the regular way of submitting my book through brick publishing firms and facing rejection after rejection. However, this online publishing company has proven to be exactly what I needed to launch my "short" 110-chapter story about Walker and his mansion.
You don't have to buy it, but I'd love to have you just look at my "baby" that did take nine months to produce. CrystalWizard here did that beautiful cover for me.
I can't tell you how excited I was when I first logged on this morning and saw my book there. It will be on other online sites like Amazon.com in a couple weeks, but nothing can top this thrill of today.
Judity
Come drop by Home of the Red Fox on E-Booktime.com
http://www.e-booktime.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product...
esprit
Submitted Comment:
Phil, thank you so much for the newsletter of Aug. 2. It was interesting and inspirational, I could relate to it personally in many ways. It's a good stand-alone article and would benefit many more if moved to an item in your port. It was good! I intend to print it and read it occasionally to remind myself of my true goals. Your advice to: Cut yourself some creative slack now and again
is something I was never able to do. This letter will help me try. Thank you!
demor
Submitted Comment:
True success is like immortality. We get immortality when something of us lives on when we leave this life. We may never know what or who we affected, but all of us have.
xmissxwayx
Submitted Comment:
Thanks for the great newsletter. They are always so helpful!
-Jessica
powerofthepen
Submitted Comment:
I love this newsletter! Thank you for being such a positive influence on our (well, mine at least) writing!
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For Authors: August 30, 2006 Issue [#1235]
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