Conservative Artists? Are you out there? How to deal with progressives

[Artify]

I have a dream of being an oil painter, and I take workshops in my spare time. I earn my daily bread by teaching 6th grade English / Language Arts. My goal is to become a full-time artist in 2019 when I retire from teaching.

My question is this: How do I deal with many of the outspoken, biased, liberals (not historical liberals but progressive liberals) living in an endless feedback loop who I meet in many of the classes I take and sometimes the social gatherings I attend? Should I just keep my mouth shut? That has been my strategy so far, but sometimes I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to listen to talk about horoscopes, dream catchers, native American spirituality, American “non” exceptionalism, socialism, Obama-love, HRC-love, manmade climate change, yoga, post-modern relativism, and other wacky topics. I have been catechized very well on my way into the Catholic church in 2007, having grown up baptist, and I have a really hard time with people who don’t pursue actual truth and just float along on whatever leaf of thought that blows around.

I know if I want to be an artist, I will have to just stay silent, but it is so hard. Does anyone have any advice for me?

I am actually considering giving up my dream after reading tonight some junk from European artist facebook friends who find it acceptable to comment on American politics even though they don’t have a dog in our hunt, and they really don’t have all the facts about what they are posting. One guy said a clip about a certain (liberal) topic was the best reporting he’d seen on that topic. It was a clip from MSNBC with Chris Matthews. Sigh. With a little research on the matter, I learned that issue is pretty complicated, the facts occuring over about a one-hundred year time span with pros and cons on each side. Sigh.

(Maybe my question should be, why can’t artists think more clearly? And if they don’t think clearly, why do they think they have a monopoly on answers?)

I really want to respect these artists, but again, it’s hard. I used to try to engage people, but then it became like a never ending job. I have so much stress with my teaching job, that I had to quit trying to engage because it made my blood-pressure go up too much.

Any ideas for me? Any similar experiences from any of you faithful Catholics out there, who are artists AND faithful to the magisterium? Are there any prayers you would suggest for praying in the heat of the moment when I feel so disappointed in the lack of logic around me?

Thanks.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

If they find out you are “a conservative”, you will be ostrascized (sp).

Pro-life?

Anti-anal-intercourse?

My goodness … how narrow minded. (sarc)

Maybe use a pen name.

Or, just do not comment.

OR, use a pen name for your comments.

It’s very bad out there.

Even the most “open minded” liberals are intolerant.

Reminds me of an old expression: “There is nothing a nonconformist hates worse than a conformist than another nonconformist who does not conform to the prevailing standards of nonconformism.”

 

[pianistclare]

A true artist lets her work stand for itself and yourself.
Who cares what the world says? Surround yourself with like minded people and understand that you can’t escape real life. Likewise, they can’t escape godly people. Drives them nuts.
Don’t fret. Create.
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!

 

[ShrodingersCat]

A true artist lets her work stand for itself and yourself.
Who cares what the world says? Surround yourself with like minded people and understand that you can’t escape real life. Likewise, they can’t escape godly people. Drives them nuts.
Don’t fret. Create.
St. Catherine of Bologna, pray for us!

This. Why give up your dream cos other people have some silly opinions? If you have to interact with these people, you just need to find a balance - pick your battles wisely. And by battles, all I really mean is when to stay silent and when to drop in your own opinion.

Also bear in mind that American politics is all over the news in Europe and that compared to European politics, American politics is skewed to the right. Like I’m from Ireland and the democrats don’t seem all that left to me (aside from moral issues of course). Almost everyone in Europe has an opinion on American politics. Obviously there will always be people who listen to stupid sources and cite them as excellent authorities, but even on this forum I see some people posting links to questionable sources on some issues and refuse to accept that they are not reliable sources. It’s annoying but it is everywhere. I’ve also seen people on this forum voice opinions on European politics, so I can understand your annoyance, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, even when it’s misinformed.

Tl;dr: there are idiots in all walks of life, don’t let it get to you.

 

[Irishmom2]

As in other professions, sometimes those with liberal views seem to be the most outspoken.
Here is how I deal with the kinds of artists you spoke of: I avoid them. I keep away from them and do not associate with other artists. I do my own thing. My work is not political. I have no need to hear ridiculous theories, and quite honestly, I think a lot of the “art” that gets shown is nothing more than … well, I better not say.

 

[philipl]

I have a dream of being an oil painter, and I take workshops in my spare time. I earn my daily bread by teaching 6th grade English / Language Arts. My goal is to become a full-time artist in 2019 when I retire from teaching.

My question is this: How do I deal with many of the outspoken, biased, liberals (not historical liberals but progressive liberals) living in an endless feedback loop who I meet in many of the classes I take and sometimes the social gatherings I attend? Should I just keep my mouth shut? That has been my strategy so far, but sometimes I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to listen to talk about horoscopes, dream catchers, native American spirituality, American “non” exceptionalism, socialism, Obama-love, HRC-love, manmade climate change, yoga, post-modern relativism, and other wacky topics. I have been catechized very well on my way into the Catholic church in 2007, having grown up baptist, and I have a really hard time with people who don’t pursue actual truth and just float along on whatever leaf of thought that blows around.

I know if I want to be an artist, I will have to just stay silent, but it is so hard. Does anyone have any advice for me?

I am actually considering giving up my dream after reading tonight some junk from European artist facebook friends who find it acceptable to comment on American politics even though they don’t have a dog in our hunt, and they really don’t have all the facts about what they are posting. One guy said a clip about a certain (liberal) topic was the best reporting he’d seen on that topic. It was a clip from MSNBC with Chris Matthews. Sigh. With a little research on the matter, I learned that issue is pretty complicated, the facts occuring over about a one-hundred year time span with pros and cons on each side. Sigh.

(Maybe my question should be, why can’t artists think more clearly? And if they don’t think clearly, why do they think they have a monopoly on answers?)

I really want to respect these artists, but again, it’s hard. I used to try to engage people, but then it became like a never ending job. I have so much stress with my teaching job, that I had to quit trying to engage because it made my blood-pressure go up too much.

Any ideas for me? Any similar experiences from any of you faithful Catholics out there, who are artists AND faithful to the magisterium? Are there any prayers you would suggest for praying in the heat of the moment when I feel so disappointed in the lack of logic around me?

Thanks.

So as an artist you would be unique than other artists. As a Conservative, you have a point of view that can help you create art that others will enjoy. Just think of all the customers you can get because your art is art they would enjoy!

 

[pianistclare]

The same way you or others would deal with outspoken, biased, conservatives. How do you usually deal with them? Or anyone who is outspoken and biased?

Welcome to a world filled with people of diverse beliefs!
Do you only want to be near people who think and feel exactly the same way as you do? If so, then yes…my advice would be to not venture far from your comfort zone.

? How do you know these people “don’t pursue actual truth”? Just because they believe different truths than you, that doesn’t mean at all that they have not spent a lot of time pursuing truth and continue to do so.

Um, no. One of the main points of being an artist is to express yourself and be heard. For many artists, that is. But perhaps you don’t want to do this, and that’s okay, too.

There are people in every vocation who think this…be they artists, accountants, priests, doctors, gardeners. Unclear, egotistical people are everywhere.

Maybe try to be less sensitive that other people have different ideas than you and not let it affect you so much emotionally. You will find different beliefs and outspoken people everywhere, even in your own church.

Anal intercourse?
Liberal artists are pro-anal-intercourse? What the… :banghead:

This statement speaks for itself.

.

I don’t know why people are continually amazed at what Catholics say on a Catholic forum.
Clearly those who disagree with nearly everything people say, should not be surprised, eh?
I’m out.
Happy creating, OP!
Enjoy your gifts!

 

[Irishmom2]

The same way you or others would deal with outspoken, biased, conservatives. How do you usually deal with them? Or anyone who is outspoken and biased?

Welcome to a world filled with people of diverse beliefs!
Do you only want to be near people who think and feel exactly the same way as you do? If so, then yes…my advice would be to not venture far from your comfort zone.

? How do you know these people “don’t pursue actual truth”? Just because they believe different truths than you, that doesn’t mean at all that they have not spent a lot of time pursuing truth and continue to do so.

Um, no. One of the main points of being an artist is to express yourself and be heard. For many artists, that is. But perhaps you don’t want to do this, and that’s okay, too.

There are people in every vocation who think this…be they artists, accountants, priests, doctors, gardeners. Unclear, egotistical people are everywhere.

Maybe try to be less sensitive that other people have different ideas than you and not let it affect you so much emotionally. You will find different beliefs and outspoken people everywhere, even in your own church.

Anal intercourse?
Liberal artists are pro-anal-intercourse? What the… :banghead:

This statement speaks for itself.

.

I don’t understand the need to talk down to the OP about what they are feeling. It is how they feel, just as you are entitled to your non Catholic way of thinking. Nothing that you said is going to change someone else’s values, so why the constant need for the put downs and picking at every word that someone writes. Obviously, you are not a conservative artist, so how is your post helpful or charitable to the OP?

 

[Sparkythedog]

Anti-anal-intercourse?

I’ve been in the art community for some time now and, to be honest, this has never come up. You might be doing it wrong.

 

[Viki63]

I’m a conservative and a writer. I’m not a best seller, probably because my books are pretty pro-life. There are others on this forum in a similar situation.
Here is a book I read recently which explains a lot of the liberal-conservative dichotomy.

If I’m in a group and folks start talking about horoscopes or other nonsense, I silently drift away, as such stuff holds no interest for me. Or I might say, “You actually believe that hogwash?”
It doesn’t win me friends.
I was out with a couple of relatives recently, and mentioned what I thought of Planned Parenthood, you know, the racist, eugenicist, genocidal tendency PP has, aimed at minority groups. My relatives cracked up, couldn’t believe where I’d heard that stuff. They had no clue, and still don’t,

It all depends on who you listen to, and what people you hang out with, I guess.
There are plenty of people who would agree with your beliefs, try to find some of them. A Bible Study group?
Meanwhile, if you have something of artistic value to say, say it,
God bless.

.

 

[Midwest88]

I have a dream of being an oil painter, and I take workshops in my spare time. I earn my daily bread by teaching 6th grade English / Language Arts. My goal is to become a full-time artist in 2019 when I retire from teaching.

My question is this: How do I deal with many of the outspoken, biased, liberals (not historical liberals but progressive liberals) living in an endless feedback loop who I meet in many of the classes I take and sometimes the social gatherings I attend? Should I just keep my mouth shut? That has been my strategy so far, but sometimes I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to listen to talk about horoscopes, dream catchers, native American spirituality, American “non” exceptionalism, socialism, Obama-love, HRC-love, manmade climate change, yoga, post-modern relativism, and other wacky topics. I have been catechized very well on my way into the Catholic church in 2007, having grown up baptist, and I have a really hard time with people who don’t pursue actual truth and just float along on whatever leaf of thought that blows around.

As long as all of those things do not negatively affect your work, which, I presume, will be entirely independent. I would say use those thoughts and stances of the modern liberal artists to your advantage.

I know if I want to be an artist, I will have to just stay silent, but it is so hard. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Well, unless politics are discussed I’d say your work and its integrity is more safe than it’s harmed.

I am actually considering giving up my dream after reading tonight some junk from European artist facebook friends who find it acceptable to comment on American politics even though they don’t have a dog in our hunt, and they really don’t have all the facts about what they are posting. One guy said a clip about a certain (liberal) topic was the best reporting he’d seen on that topic. It was a clip from MSNBC with Chris Matthews. Sigh. With a little research on the matter, I learned that issue is pretty complicated, the facts occuring over about a one-hundred year time span with pros and cons on each side. Sigh.

Europeans in general have nasty and uneducated opinions on American politics. A European artist is even worse when it comes to discussion of international politics. Don’t mind that European artist. He’s as messed up as Chris Matthews.

(Maybe my question should be, why can’t artists think more clearly? And if they don’t think clearly, why do they think they have a monopoly on answers?)

Most “artists” are politically naive. It’s all about the “feels” and there is little critical thinking. Also, “artists” tend to be arrogant simply for the fact that they’re “artists” and not working the usual 9-5 job.

I really want to respect these artists, but again, it’s hard. I used to try to engage people, but then it became like a never ending job. I have so much stress with my teaching job, that I had to quit trying to engage because it made my blood-pressure go up too much.

You can respect them. Just note that A) they’re idiots when it comes to politics and B) they might be decent painters. Other than that art and politics, when they mix, will usually end in a disappointed result, especially if they’re anywhere near like the European artist.

 

[Midwest88]

The same way you or others would deal with outspoken, biased, conservatives. How do you usually deal with them? Or anyone who is outspoken and biased?

Welcome to a world filled with people of diverse beliefs!
Do you only want to be near people who think and feel exactly the same way as you do? If so, then yes…my advice would be to not venture far from your comfort zone.

.

The irony about this artists tend to be in a cocoon of their own beliefs and stances. I bet if you walk up to these artists they’d probably throq the usual modern day liberal spaz attack if you express views counter to their own.

So to talk about getting out of one’s comfort zone is rather condescending when the demo the OP’s trying to enter is a bubble into itself.

 

[Midwest88]

This. Why give up your dream cos other people have some silly opinions? If you have to interact with these people, you just need to find a balance - pick your battles wisely. And by battles, all I really mean is when to stay silent and when to drop in your own opinion.

Also bear in mind that American politics is all over the news in Europe and that compared to European politics, American politics is skewed to the right.

Maybe that says more about Europe. Plus, here in America, the mainstream media (NY Times, LA Times, Boston, WashPo, the alphabet soup networks, HuffPo) leans left, may not be as hard to the left as the usual European news outlets, but it’s left nonetheless. Anyone who says the American news machine is rightwing, even a tad, is out of their d_mn minds.

 

[edwest2]

Artify,

I have been exactly where you’re at. I tried hanging out with “real artists” who claimed to follow their muse or speak from their souls, but they were just as imitative as anybody else. While trying to be individuals, they all tended to believe, like and do similar things. In my Advanced Painting Class, people were throwing paint against the canvas or making these shapes, and just like the line “all the cool kids are doing it,” there they were - imitating. In fact, it was like a cult.

You know what opened my eyes? We went, as a class, to the local art museum. I admired the classical painters who painted real things with obvious skill and craftsmanship, and then I went to another part of the building that had contemporary art. A lot of it was bland and pointless and unintelligible. But then I realized it was a cult. There was a spiral of duct tape on the floor and next to it was a white card about the size of a business card. It had the words: “Please do not remove. This is art.” What!!!??? The INITIATES in the cult believed nothing was something. But if you were the cleaning lady - an average person - outside of their circle, you would think, “I should scrape this off the floor.”?

That’s when I quit college. I was there to learn, not to get sucked into a cult/brainwashing program. Yeah, my painting instructor thought I was weird because I was trying to draw something real - not meaningless splashes of color that no one could grasp. And I really dislike politics and the subcultures that grow around it.

So, a few years later, I go to the “prestigious” art school a few blocks away from my old one. It was a day where the artists hung their best work and anybody could walk in. I got this sick feeling when I saw pipe sections sticking out of a clay pot with dirt in it and a light bulb at the top. “Oh yeah. I’d never have that in my place. And they got a grade for junk?” Or a towel that was hanging on a rack with a big black footprint on it - obviously painted on. More junk, and so on.

Then I saw a sign above a doorway that read Industrial Design. So I walked in. Here, I saw great stuff. Beautiful designs. I learned that the artists had to understand how light and shadow really work, perspective and design elements. Sure, I saw a lot of beautiful car designs but I began to realize that the subtle blending of lines in a car body and the interplay of shapes was not unlike real muscle and bone. I should have taken Industrial Design! I would’ve have learned how to draw for real!! (It’s now called Product Design.)

Oil painting. Great choice. It’s not easy, the paint takes a long time to dry, but an artist friend of mine did it and mastered it. I stuck to acrylics.

Don’t let a single person stop you from oil painting. I’ll give you an example of dealing with people. One professional artist wrote on his blog that he could not deal with all the negativity he was getting on various places, and yes, people are not logical or willing to do their own research as well. He said, “As a working artist, I need to get up every day and have a positive attitude. I can’t afford to be distracted by all the negative and irritating things I used to read. They would put me in the wrong frame of mind. So, I’ve stopped replying. I need to keep my goals in front of me. I don’t have the time to deal with those people.”

That’s it in a nutshell. Social media is for people who know me. Strangers who don’t know me are people I will never meet or talk to on the phone. Yes, they are people, but I’m not interested in drivel. They’re free to talk to others and do what they want. So, aside from a few places on the internet where I do post, the rest are just places I visit for a look.

Having taught basic art for a relatively sort period at my old school, and a class at a local library, I suddenly realized that what I used to think was the easiest job in the world was not. I had to work. Some of my students were really attentive and motivated, the bulk were in the “I’m not sure range,” and a handful sat in the back and took the class because they thought it would be easy and they’d earn an easy grade. I remember walking up to the guys who sat in the back one day and quietly saying, “Look. I know why you’re here. I only ask that you don’t bother the other students.” None of them said a word.

We need conservative artists. That paint real things. We need it.

thesacredarts.org/newsite/

virtualartacademy.com/

You don’t have to always paint sacred/Christian art but we need beauty. We need honest sentiment. A renewal of beauty that is not profane but that brings out wonderful and uplifting and even fun emotions in the viewer. I look at the art books I’ve collected. True craftsmen. But almost all of them worked during a time when painting was considered valuable. The camera has displaced or replaced the need for painting and realistic work in a lot of media.

I drive down the street and see bent pieces of metal near a sidewalk. “Somebody from the city paid for scrap metal?” It means nothing to me. It’s an eyesore.

I hope you have a friend or two with similar worldviews. Take any subculture - that’s what they are.

I’ve seen real talent in young people and known other people with a little talent work really hard to turn what they had into professional work. Art is a gift. It is a ministry.

God bless,
Ed

 

[Gordon_Sims]

The irony about this artists tend to be in a cocoon of their own beliefs and stances. I bet if you walk up to these artists they’d probably throq the usual modern day liberal spaz attack if you express views counter to their own.

So to talk about getting out of one’s comfort zone is rather condescending when the demo the OP’s trying to enter is a bubble into itself.

I have a fair number of artist friends of various disciplines. Most of them behave this way. I’ve had opportunities in the past to work with several of them in various regards and they all fell through because they know my politics are different from theirs. One went so far as to say that if he ever heard I was trying for more work of an artistic nature, he’d tell everyone he could about my politics to prevent me from getting work. I had a chance to have something I’d done published years and years ago. While talking to the publisher online he asked about my politics and when I didn’t give the right (or, rather, “left”) answer, he told me he had changed his mind and wouldn’t publish it. The funny thing is, I waited 6-7 years, he forgot who I was, I submitted it again without having any direct talks with him and he published it.

 

[Monica4316]

I have a dream of being an oil painter, and I take workshops in my spare time. I earn my daily bread by teaching 6th grade English / Language Arts. My goal is to become a full-time artist in 2019 when I retire from teaching.

My question is this: How do I deal with many of the outspoken, biased, liberals (not historical liberals but progressive liberals) living in an endless feedback loop who I meet in many of the classes I take and sometimes the social gatherings I attend? Should I just keep my mouth shut? That has been my strategy so far, but sometimes I get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach when I have to listen to talk about horoscopes, dream catchers, native American spirituality, American “non” exceptionalism, socialism, Obama-love, HRC-love, manmade climate change, yoga, post-modern relativism, and other wacky topics. I have been catechized very well on my way into the Catholic church in 2007, having grown up baptist, and I have a really hard time with people who don’t pursue actual truth and just float along on whatever leaf of thought that blows around.

I know if I want to be an artist, I will have to just stay silent, but it is so hard. Does anyone have any advice for me?

I am actually considering giving up my dream after reading tonight some junk from European artist facebook friends who find it acceptable to comment on American politics even though they don’t have a dog in our hunt, and they really don’t have all the facts about what they are posting. One guy said a clip about a certain (liberal) topic was the best reporting he’d seen on that topic. It was a clip from MSNBC with Chris Matthews. Sigh. With a little research on the matter, I learned that issue is pretty complicated, the facts occuring over about a one-hundred year time span with pros and cons on each side. Sigh.

(Maybe my question should be, why can’t artists think more clearly? And if they don’t think clearly, why do they think they have a monopoly on answers?)

I really want to respect these artists, but again, it’s hard. I used to try to engage people, but then it became like a never ending job. I have so much stress with my teaching job, that I had to quit trying to engage because it made my blood-pressure go up too much.

Any ideas for me? Any similar experiences from any of you faithful Catholics out there, who are artists AND faithful to the magisterium? Are there any prayers you would suggest for praying in the heat of the moment when I feel so disappointed in the lack of logic around me?

Thanks.

I’m trying to do art too… And I also have a teaching job.

I am aware of much liberalism in the art world. I don’t see it much because I keep to myself. I am not against taking a class, but if I did, I’d just concentrate on the art and not socialize too much - though I believe in being friendly to the other people.

Currently I am planning to study with books, videos, I go to the art gallery at times but by myself. I think for me the reason is that the art style I’m going for isn’t really the popular thing today and I don’t want to get influenced, rather learn the more traditional techniques.

I guess I’m kind of a loner Catholic “artist” (I don’t really call myself an artist though).

You might find this useful… studiobrien.com/a-letter-to-artists-by-michael-obrien/

God bless you!

 

[edwest2]

I know some artists who are mostly self-taught. Doing realistic art is not the thing nowadays, and the politics - who needs it? If you go to a library or a museum with the old masters, take a sketch pad. It’s OK to get a feel for the composition.

I recommend any art books by Andrew Loomis. Long gone, he had an easier than most approach to drawing realistically. NOTE: There’s bit of nudity but no photos.

Ed