Artist's are interesting people. By all accounts they are supposed to be the force for change. Art is the vehicle to make the world a better place, by pointing out what is wrong and offering up ways that ity could be better. But there is a party of being an artist that flies in the face of all of that and that is in the realm of co-operation. One thing that artists-at least visual artists- do not do very well is work as part of a group. And it is surprising because when we do play together it is generally so rewarding, and the creativity flows so much that one would think that we couldn't have enough of it. But experience says otherwise. Try to organize a painting group, or offer up help to other artists and see what kind of resistance occurs. Co-operation is one of the things that has driven humans forward as a species. If it were not for or ability to work together for the good of the whole, instead of as individuals we would not have the roads and bridges and schools and hospitals and an infinite number of other things that we take for granted every day.
There are many ways that we could work together to better our art endevours. We can help each other with the creative process. Painting and drawing tend to be individual enterprises, but that does not mean that we have to do everything by ourselves. Join in to painting groups. Some of the most creative times are spent in art school, not only because you are being taught how to create, but also because you see others create, and that energy is infectious. Another way that we are at odds with each other is with pricing. We should really all price equivilant products similarily, but instead in any co-operative(a misnamed enterprise if ever there was one) the artists and crafters are constantly undercutting each other to enhance their own sales at the expense of the others. We can also share information that we have learned. Instead of being afraid that someone may get an advantage over us, if we freely give out information, we can expect to get information back. The group as a whole can do better.
If there is anything that can be learned from human history, the group does better than the individual. Artists should stop trying to be strictly individuals, and start being part of the group. Now how do I start enacting this in my own little part of the world? Maybe give, and hope that others don't just try to take advantage of me, and will give back.
