Donating your art to fund raising organizations for charitable causes sounds like a worthy and honorable thing to do. I have donated some of my art for worthy causes to discover that my donated work of art did not help very much.
These fund raising organizations usually know nothing about the artist nor the content of his or her art. Furthermore they are not art professionals and know little about art. They know nothing about how to value a work of art so as to present it as a valuable purchase.
You could donate a Picasso, with signature disguised, to be auctioned off and it would be a miracle if it auctioned off for more than a hundred dollars. This is somewhat how much confidence I have in the general public and the art auctioneer in appreciating the importance of (1) the art work, and (2) the artist donating the piece.
The works that I donated auctioned off for $150.00 and $75.00 respectively. I provided my business cards with the sculptures in hopes that the new owners might have enough respect to contact me, but I never heard from them.
I also requested, and was assured that the fund raising organization would provide me with the names and contact information of the new owners of my art. I like to document the whereabouts of the works that I have sold or transferred to persons or organizations. The fund raisers failed to provide me with this information. I think this to be very unprofessional.
When an artist offers up his or her works of art to be auctioned off by non-professionals they perpetuate the perception that artists are unimportant and unworthy of being paid an appropriate price for their talent. When you do not value your art what makes you think others will value your art.
Lets get real. A wealthy art collector may purchase a Van Gogh for millions and display it with pride in his home or office, but you may produce a painting much more interesting with greater content and execution of talent than the Van Gogh, yet you may be dismissed as unimportant in the art community.
When we perpetuate our own unworthiness others will believe us.
I am fully aware that art is subjective and by nature some people will value one painting or sculpture over other works of art, and this is the way it should be, but you should never sabotage the value of your work by giving it to unworthy recipients. Mathew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. This may sound a little much but metaphorically speaking you can see that by casting your works of art before those that do not appreciate you or your work will in effect rend your self image. I can not stress enough that you should not do this to yourself. It is better to produce fine works of art to have and enjoy for yourself than to give it to unworthy recipients.
You know that people are notorious for buying expensive toys and not long after tear them up, loose them or sell them at yard sells. The love for their toys is short lived, so don't let your art become a cheap toy to be discarded by these kinds of people.
I know that there is no guarantee of the life of a work of art being a long one but you can enhance the chances of the longevity of this work by giving it an appropriate value.
Don't get me wrong, I do believe that it is appropriate to give good works of art to truly appreciative persons and persons that understand the gift that you've offered but never give it to people merely because they want you to give it up, and then they cheapen it because of their ignorance.
If you want to donate to worthy organizations give money. The worst thing that can happen will be the misappropriation of funds.
Finton
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
N UMBER 27 The Muslim Dilema here in the US
I do believe in the freedom of religion even though I believe that religion causes more problems than it solves..
I believe that most people, regardless of their religious affiliations, are good people and are tolerant of other religious beliefs, but I do not believe that their goodness derives from their religion but rather I believe they are by nature good people from birth. I believe that the vast majority of people from all races are inherently good, but we all unfortunately will be taught by our respective dominant religious influences that our religious practices provide us the only path to heaven, but, if you choose to convert and follow another religion you are in danger of eternal damnation, thus these diverse religions become enemies. They feel the threat that the opposing religion will become too strong and therefore eradicate all other religious practices.
We can see this religious war taking place right here and now in our lifetime. The Christians verses the Muslims are in fact waring against one another even though there is a small amount of lip-service claiming respectively that they both want peace. I believe that deep within their hearts they both want to dominate, They both would like to eradicate all religions except their own. Remember the Salem witch hunts? Do you remember 'Trial by Ordeal?
The instinct for survival is a natural condition that translates a bit of fear into each of us until we sense that there is no danger. This is the moment that we can begin trying to bond and develop a friendship.
I must admit that there is a bit of fear that resides within me concerning the Muslims and the Christians. The rhetoric is not good on either side. I can see the shields and weapons of both religions. I'm sure most Christians have heard the Christian hymn "onward Christian soldiers marching as to war....". When I was a child and went to church every Sunday there was not many church services that that song was not sung, and I'm confident that it is still a favorite in most Baptist churches today. Jesus said in Luke 19:27 "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me". I don't believe that it takes a rocket scientist to understand that passage.
I believe that there is little that either religion can do to ease the tension between them because if you truly believe that your ways are the only way to get to heaven you would most likely be willing to go to war to prevent your loved ones from being led astray by a false religion, a religion that you believe will lead them into eternal hell fire.
Religions inherently create phobias in the minds of their followers, and, think about this, the Christians are referred to as sheep, followers of Christ Jesus. Every religion has its followers, so it would seem that we could deduce that the vast majority of people are followers and not leaders. If you would even take notice perhaps you realize that you only know a fraction of your religious affiliation and teachings, and the other members of your religion are much the same. Most people are merely followers.
I have observed that there are fanatics in most religions and some possess great leadership qualities. These are the dangerous ones, they have the potential of leading their followers to carry out violent acts of terror towards those that are perceived as their enemies.
We all must try to learn much, but with caution. Some teachings sound plausible but may bring about much pain and suffering to many, even your loved ones.
Religions enforce the doctrine of faith as the bases of their obedience but you should learn to stand on your own valid thinking efforts. Question everything.
Finton
I believe that most people, regardless of their religious affiliations, are good people and are tolerant of other religious beliefs, but I do not believe that their goodness derives from their religion but rather I believe they are by nature good people from birth. I believe that the vast majority of people from all races are inherently good, but we all unfortunately will be taught by our respective dominant religious influences that our religious practices provide us the only path to heaven, but, if you choose to convert and follow another religion you are in danger of eternal damnation, thus these diverse religions become enemies. They feel the threat that the opposing religion will become too strong and therefore eradicate all other religious practices.
We can see this religious war taking place right here and now in our lifetime. The Christians verses the Muslims are in fact waring against one another even though there is a small amount of lip-service claiming respectively that they both want peace. I believe that deep within their hearts they both want to dominate, They both would like to eradicate all religions except their own. Remember the Salem witch hunts? Do you remember 'Trial by Ordeal?
The instinct for survival is a natural condition that translates a bit of fear into each of us until we sense that there is no danger. This is the moment that we can begin trying to bond and develop a friendship.
I must admit that there is a bit of fear that resides within me concerning the Muslims and the Christians. The rhetoric is not good on either side. I can see the shields and weapons of both religions. I'm sure most Christians have heard the Christian hymn "onward Christian soldiers marching as to war....". When I was a child and went to church every Sunday there was not many church services that that song was not sung, and I'm confident that it is still a favorite in most Baptist churches today. Jesus said in Luke 19:27 "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me". I don't believe that it takes a rocket scientist to understand that passage.
I believe that there is little that either religion can do to ease the tension between them because if you truly believe that your ways are the only way to get to heaven you would most likely be willing to go to war to prevent your loved ones from being led astray by a false religion, a religion that you believe will lead them into eternal hell fire.
Religions inherently create phobias in the minds of their followers, and, think about this, the Christians are referred to as sheep, followers of Christ Jesus. Every religion has its followers, so it would seem that we could deduce that the vast majority of people are followers and not leaders. If you would even take notice perhaps you realize that you only know a fraction of your religious affiliation and teachings, and the other members of your religion are much the same. Most people are merely followers.
I have observed that there are fanatics in most religions and some possess great leadership qualities. These are the dangerous ones, they have the potential of leading their followers to carry out violent acts of terror towards those that are perceived as their enemies.
We all must try to learn much, but with caution. Some teachings sound plausible but may bring about much pain and suffering to many, even your loved ones.
Religions enforce the doctrine of faith as the bases of their obedience but you should learn to stand on your own valid thinking efforts. Question everything.
Finton
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