Artists and Animators: Dreamers, Designers, Developers, and Entrepreneurs

When it comes to art and entertainment, it’s amazing how much notoriety we give certain works today when the people who produce them may have been barely known in their own time. We all know this phenomenon, where an artist, a dream, a designer has died penniless to his name, a failure by the standards of his bygone era, and yet his work today sells in the millions. Isn’t it amazing? Okay, so let’s talk, okay?

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on March 20, 2013 in the architecture section titled; “A Man Out of His Time” by Richard B. Woodward, which said; “Lebbeus Woods, Architect” at the San Francisco Museum of Art articulates several reasons why this cult figure (1940-2012) deserves to be better known, but, perhaps unintentionally, also suggests many reasons why he is not. “.

After reading this peace it reminded me of “Fountain Head” by Ayn Rand and “Loving Frank – A Novel” by Nancy Horan. It reminds us that the most creative geniuses of our time, as perceived by future generations, may or may not be the ones we choose today as worthy of that title. Are they ahead of their time? Some would say; yes, as would I. Consider, if you will, that many of the artists, playwrights, architects, were dreamers beyond their years in their day, popular for sure, but not quite the historical celebrity billing we give them in the current period.

Had the people of those bygone periods known that, these individuals would be the ones we honor today, whose names become synonymous with creative excellence in their field. One not only has to be a brilliant artist but in his day also has to be a marketer, developer and entrepreneur. He must be a designer and a maker, and generally speaking, those qualities are not often found in the same individual.

In fact, it is almost the rule, not the exception, that the great artists who will honor future generations, those who live today, will not be as well known or as rich as in their time, in the here and now. Consider all the poorer Renaissance artists, they owned no land, and some were lucky enough to have patrons who gave them a room and some food. They did it for the passion of their art, sculpture, designs, and not for wealth, artists never made much money back then.

Today, an artist, designer, architect, musician, etc., has much more possibilities thanks to the Internet, which levels the playing field. That’s a wonderful thing, and all the more just for the passionate artist who brings so much joy, not just to his own time, but to future generations. I hope you will please consider all this and think about it.