Artists scare me ;...;

[Meander]

For a really long time, I've been afraid of artists. Okay, of groups in general. I get really intimidated by them. Like... I was taking private tattoo instruction, but then when I moved to Chicago, I didn't try to continue my certification and apprenticeship, because I'd have to apply at a shop and be in this club of intimidating tattoo artists for years! And if I saw a group of DIYers on a forum or journal place, it was totally scary. x...x The more talented someone was, the more I was sure they would be snotty, mean and blah. There are artists and designers that I have looked at in the past and rather than be inspired by their work and try to talk to them as an equal, I've just felt inferior to and assumed I'd never be as good as they were, and they'd likely just treat me like a pest if I talked to them. Just the natural reaction, I guess.

The first artisty thing I did was join Etsy, and eventually I risked asking someone I really respected about a technique they used and I was SHOCKED at the polite and helpful reply. Despite experience as an actress, musician, artist, writer and other such "group" type things, I pretty much RUN from them, because I felt there was always a sense of a battle for superiority and people looking down their noses at others. But in the DIY groups like Etsy and ThreadBanger (and now the smaller groups I've mustered the courage to join) have been, for the most part, SO supportive and helpful! So... sorry, maybe this is treading into the topic of another thread now but... I'm just wondering-- Did anyone else feel this way at all?

Art, fashion, music, expression in general-- they can get so clique-ie. Why do some groups get so up their own a**es, while DIY groups tend to be so welcoming? I don't think that with places like Etsy or Threadbanger, I would have become an artist at all. The nurturing environment and helpful people really made me comfortable for the first time in a world that I always thought I'd be participating on from the outside, as a loner. It's been amazing, being in communities like this.

Thoughts or personal stories, anyone?

[Coffee]

Artists are generally brilliant folks.

Just remember - the more clique-y someone is, the more likely that they're insecure about their own abilities!

[kate]

I had the same thing when I started getting into triathlons. I have done numerous running races - even several half-marathons and a full marathon - but I was totally freaked out by these people who had all the gear and knew what they were doing. I didn't have the right bike but didn't want to ask anyone what they had (partly because I had no idea about any of the lingo and wouldn't understand what they were saying anyway) and the whole swimming thing scared me. People in wetsuits are very intimidating looking. I finally did my first triathlon and fumbled my way through, learned what I needed to learn on my own and went from there. I now have the right bike and the right gear and know what I'm doing, but I still get intimidated by the other racers!

I recently did a 40 mile bike ride with the local bike club and that scared me so much. These were hard core bikers (almost all men - I was one of two females) who go very fast and there are all these unspoken rules about riding in a pack and I didn't know anything. Fortunately some of them were very nice and told me all the rules and listened to my questions and helped me along. I definitely latched onto to those nice people at first until I felt comfortable.

So, yeah, I know what you're talking about and I think it happens everywhere, but it is really nice to find a nice group of people that don't talk down to the newbies and have a place to hang. :)

[Meander]

Oh, totally! 40 miles? Crap, I think I'd be intimidated of the LENGTH more than anything! That's a pretty amazing feat, congratulations. : )

It's good to know I'm not alone in the feeling, though. I never thought that cyclists would have their own packs- doesn't surprise me! Sure seems to be human nature almost, eh? I mean, to clump together and make a club. Bah!

Coffee- that's a good point! (Sure doesn't help you feel any less weird around people getting all snotty, but hey, it's an exercise in confidence, huh?)

[Coffee]

Actually, the most important thing is, the good people are out there, and they're good.

The bad people are out there, and they're bad.

So do what I do: Headbutt people until the good rises to the surface!

[pinoyblaze]

One quote I take to heart...

"Water Seeks it Own Level."

You are a open and helpful person. So you found them!!! :P

Yup, I know what you mean. Artist can gain such a ego from their success but here I found a place where I can be open to suggestions and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. TB is supportive in ones efforts to improve and do DIY...that's what is so appealing about it. haha As you can tell I've blabbed to my friends about this community ALL the time. They of course are happy I found a place to use as a outlet for my creativity.

[pinoyblaze]

Actually, the most important thing is, the good people are out there, and they're good.

The bad people are out there, and they're bad.

So do what I do: Headbutt people until the good rises to the surface!

Exactly :P

[ladyjanewriter]

I've never been fearful of artists or musicians.

I've feared the drug culture that surrounds it. I can't just hang with people and drink till I blackout. I've never dropped acid - because I have WAY TOO MUCH IMAGINATION ALREADY! I'd be the idiot who'd be tripping my ass off and dancing in the middle of the freeway and dodging cars.

I think the one aspect of DIY culture as its currently developing is that you don't have to be a certain age or skill level, and there's not a specific drug culture that's tied into it.

Ironically, people always wondered what I was on. It's like, nooo. I'm just naturally nuts, thank you.

[pinoyblaze]

I've never been fearful of artists or musicians.

I've feared the drug culture that surrounds it. I can't just hang with people and drink till I blackout. I've never dropped acid - because I have WAY TOO MUCH IMAGINATION ALREADY! I'd be the idiot who'd be tripping my ass off and dancing in the middle of the freeway and dodging cars.

I think the one aspect of DIY culture as its currently developing is that you don't have to be a certain age or skill level, and there's not a specific drug culture that's tied into it.

Ironically, people always wondered what I was on. It's like, nooo. I'm just naturally nuts, thank you.

yeah, drug culture has really intertwined itself in artist culture. I for one don't participate (hahaha well except Alcohol of course)

yeah, nuts people on drugs is a double whammy :P i can imagine myself on acid....staring at a sewing needle for three hours ^_^

[ladyjanewriter]

The other thing I love about DIY Culture and the internet is that it isn't ageist. Maybe it's the anonymity. It's like, LOOK! I'm learning a new sewing technique from a dude who I think is 10 years younger than me. That's incredible. I forget how old Jelfish is, but he demoed flat-felled sewing in a tute and I finally said "OH!!" and got it! After looking at eleventy kajillion sewing blogs and books and not getting it. That's an amazing thing.

[Coffee]

The other aspect about the DIY subculture is that officially it's only really been active since the 1970s, with the craft aspect only really taking part in the latter part of the 90s, but in fact, many aspects of it are attempts to recreate the skills and activities which were prominent in our grandparents' generations.


Yeah, think about it.

[pinoyblaze]

As ladyjanewriter said, intergenerational teaching plays a large part of this community as well. Age doesn't matter so much here. I never forget when I just started out, so young and full of ideas. It's inspiring to see it still :P

[ladyjanewriter]

The other aspect about the DIY subculture is that officially it's only really been active since the 1970s, with the craft aspect only really taking part in the latter part of the 90s, but in fact, many aspects of it are attempts to recreate the skills and activities which were prominent in our grandparents' generations.


Yeah, think about it.

True, but not 100% true - there was a huge counter-cultural crafty movement in the late 60's early 70's. It's just that the crafts themselves were different.

It's funny how the DIY aspect were both in hippie counterculture and punk counterculture, and how those kind of dovetailed with each other, and ways in which it just didn't gel.

[Coffee]

True, but not 100% true - there was a huge counter-cultural crafty movement in the late 60's early 70's. It's just that the crafts themselves were different.

It's funny how the DIY aspect were both in hippie counterculture and punk counterculture, and how those kind of dovetailed with each other, and ways in which it just didn't gel.

Yeah, that's because those damn hippies never did nothing for nobody.

[ladyjanewriter]

Free stores, those were cool. :)

[Jelfish]

That's incredible. I forget how old Jelfish is, but he demoed flat-felled sewing in a tute and I finally said "OH!!" and got it! After looking at eleventy kajillion sewing blogs and books and not getting it. That's an amazing thing.

That's very flattering. I'm 22 :D

@Meander

If you're going into a new group, the best way to get comfortable is to start off being as humble and recognizing other's abilities. That might sound like brown-nosing, but once people realize you're not there to threaten their "earned status" (i.e. their insecurity), they will be more willing to help you and you'll feel more part of a group.

[ladyjanewriter]

That's very flattering. I'm 22 :D.

So, basically, a DUDE 13 years younger than me explained a sewing technique to me better than any stupid sewing manual would. Or any Home Ec teacher ever could.

And that's the genius of DIY, right there in a nutshell.

The traditional sewing world has all this lingo I don't get, and all this demand for perfection the first time. I have to learn through a series of going "oops" and screwing up royally before I get a technique.

[Coffee]

Meh, perfection is for the perfect.

And pobody's nerfect.

[Jelfish]

The traditional sewing world has all this lingo I don't get, and all this demand for perfection the first time. I have to learn through a series of going "oops" and screwing up royally before I get a technique.

That's how I do it too. It's like we're all going through a trial and error process, but the community let's us save capitalize on each other's time.

[DBXP]

Mender...

You should be very afraid of us...:D We will draw a knife and kill you...

[Coffee]

*headbutt*

Shhhhh!

[Jelfish]

You know, it's not safe head-butting people like that when you're a unicorn.

[DBXP]

I HAVE A FREAKING HOLE IN MY HEAD NOW!

Thanks Coffee the unicorn! Really thanks...

Just for that, NO CANDY MOUNTAIN!

[Coffee]

shun the unbeliever!

[Jelfish]

oo candy?

[Coffee]

Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[Coffee]

uun!

[DBXP]

...*pimpslaps Coffee the unicorn*

[Coffee]

Alright, for that one, I'm going to take your OTHER kidney.

[DBXP]

NO I NEED THAT FOR DRiNKING THINGS I'M TOO YOUNG TO DRINK!

[Plasma]

Oh my golly! says Plasma speaking in third person

[Meander]

O...........O;

[Coffee]

See? No mere artist can keep up with us!

[MamaSasss]

I grew up around artists and I turned out to be an actor.
They don't faze me much anymore, ever since I learned to laugh at them when they get pretentious.
If I didn't laugh I might otherwise pull a Coffee and headbutt them.

And that's all I have to say about that.