Random Musings

I'm not sure what led me to join DeviantArt originally, as I don't consider myself much of an artist. In fact, the prospect of having to do most forms of art very much freaks me out. Except photography, and messing with Photoshop.

I think at least part of it was a way to prove that the photos I used in some of my manipulations (for layouts on another site) were mine and not stolen from anybody. I uploaded them so if the person I made the layout for wanted to check for themselves, they could. And then I discovered, a while later, the wonderful variety of stock on here - which enables me to make more manipulations, more interesting ones - because there's so many places I haven't been, and so many things I haven't done or seen, and so many things I could do.

And a while later, closer to now, I began thinking about taking photos for others to use as stock. It seems only logical - if I am finding other people's art, and they're generous enough to allow its use to others, it seems that I should give something back, something more than just credit.

This account may not have the best photos, or the most useful stock, or any other "good" type of art at all . . . but maybe, it's enough to try?


I don't really understand the artistic mindset, at least not most of the time. I may have flashes of creativity, or a perfect photographic opportunity, but I don't know how to "do art". I'm too much of a perfectionist, and too rule-bound to really enjoy things like the necessary art classes I had to take in high school, and the few I still have to take in college. Being told there's "no wrong way" to do art doesn't help in the least, for me, because it amounts to being told there isn't a right way, and the way I think is that I'd rather have there be a right way and be doing it wrong, than to not know. Because if I'm doing it wrong, someone can always correct me. If nobody knows . . . it's very scary. I don't have the confidence in my opinions to feel comfortable doing things as abstract and personal as most art seems to be.

I don't know if I'm misunderstanding something or if I'm just dumb, but I don't get it. Anyone who wishes to comment, with thoughts or clarifications, or advice, please do - I want to understand. I want to know.


(apologies if this is weirdly long/rambling/philosophical, it was written about 1 in the morning)