Art is not a “one size fits all”.
Each artist has their own style — their own way of holding a paint brush.
And each person has their own taste — their own opinions on what is beautiful and what is worth their precious money and wall space.
In the modern world, especially in the light of AI, being artistic and creative — as an artist or as a consumer of art — in a world that pushes for sameness, uniformity, repetition, and efficiency, is a source of light in the dark.
It is an act of rebellion, advocating for your values, screaming “I care” with every stroke of paint and every painting hung.
Authenticity is expensive.
In fact, it’s one of the few things AI cannot replicate.
Authenticity comes from a soul, from passion, empathy, and experiences.
Authenticity takes time, awareness, and effort.
And to continue to push for authenticity, for art, for uniqueness, for color, is to push back against repetition and efficiency.
It is to advocate for the values that live within us, the qualities that make us human.
Because art is hope, a dream for a better world. And because through all of the hardship, watching our world through a screen as it burns and melts, art is proof that we are still human.
And no matter what Brandy Melville says, for our bodies and our souls, there is no such thing as “one size fits all”.
So some words of advice, if the mark of price is the level of authenticity, then let’s be insanely expensive.
Because people pay for authenticity.
It’s easier to get out your wallet than it is to be vulnerable.
And creating requires empathy.
Creating takes patience.
Creating takes self-awareness.
So let’s make them get out their wallets.
