A Very Artistic Soapbox

Sitting under one of my favorite trees, contemplating how to dismantle our messed up society

Folks, it has been a really hard year for anyone working in the creative arts. Between the constantly mutating virus of AI “art” and “writing,” wind storms rampaging through more than one festival, and Helene destroying so many beautiful small business and artist spaces throughout a region known for its distinctive folklore and creative language…we’re hurting. Not only that, but a culture of disrespect toward artists seems to be worsening. None of these issues are occurring separately: the disrespect of large companies choosing AI "creations" over the work of artists trickles down to Joe Shmo. Shmo then contacts an artist for a commission and feels like he can haggle on price or offer to pay in installments or not at all (“For exposure!” the trolls cry).

This butterfly is an excellent artist. Maybe she will work for exposure.

Once upon a time, it used to be that one sign of an advanced and thriving civilization was the existence of a virile arts culture. The wealthy used their money to support those artists as patrons. Now we are instead left with the pale imitation option of Patreon, where people try to support their favorite creatives and the company takes a chunk of any money sent. (But hey, since it’s virtually our only option, please feel free to support my Patreon if you enjoy my writing, just saying…)

I’m just so incredibly frustrated. Being a creative myself means that my social media friends lists consist of many, many artistic folks in different areas: painters, writers, dancers, crafters, leather workers, sign painters…the list goes on. These friends regularly conjure, through a mixture of magic and hard work, new and unique fabrications that move my soul and boggle my mind. Therefore, every time they post something about their not being able to afford rent, or that another post was buried by the algorithm and now they question their validity as an artist, it fills me with a righteous fury.

In a just world, no artist would go hungry. In a balanced societal pyramid, we would value our creators more than politicians or billionaires. If a post included the words “I made,” it would be launched to the top of every follower’s social media feed. But here we are, trying to scratch out what we can from scraps of spare time and wisps of hope that our work will make a difference to someone, will move a heart or stir a soul.

I know we all get tired sometimes of our favorite creators interrupting their video to ask us to “comment, like, and subscribe,” or mentioning their Patreon or Ko-fi links. But the bottom line is that we are all but loyal supplicants to His Royal Highness, King Al-Gore-Rithm. And it really is true that the only way to make sure you see the beautiful creations by the artists and writers and crafters that you admire is to engage with their work through reactions and comments and yes, likes and subscriptions.

So what else can you do? Share. Please. If you see something that moves you, a story, a poem, a painting…share it. Include links to access points like the creator’s website, places where the item can be purchased. (In comments, please, so your own post won’t be hidden by His Royal Highness.) And maybe, just maybe, consider sprinkling a few handmade gifts or art prints in with your gifts to family and loved ones this year.

Sometimes well-meaning folks get on a soapbox about exclusively shopping small businesses at Christmastime, and it’s easy to feel like if you can’t afford to get all your gifts from artists or small shops, then there’s no point in listening because you’ll just feel guilty about it. But I’m here to propose that it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing affair. Maybe resolve this year to buy gifts for two people from a business on Etsy you can verify makes its own goods, or an artist on Instagram who sells direct from their page. I get it. Christmas is expensive, and it seems like every year your list for who to buy for grows. Big box stores are cheaper, and there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism and all that. Recycling one milk jug won’t change the astronomical water waste of AI factories. But it’s still the right thing to do. Sprinkling a few purchases from small shops and artists into your Christmas cart won’t solve this epidemic of disrespect for those who strive to make things, but it’s the right thing to do as well.

And for pity’s sake, please throw some encouragement our way sometimes too?