Encyes

What is it about a celebrity death that stirs us?  I never met Stan Lee, never knew him, only know of his legend, but that seems to be enough.  There's a bit of sadness in his passing, but I struggle why I (and we) feel this way about him (and others) though they are really truly strangers except for the media giving us some information on their lives.  Without question, he gave us some of the greatest creative gifts possible.  And I think arguably, he lived the life of a rock star/celebrity.  Certainly by the end of his life his was a household name.  But why do the Stan Lee's, the Gene Roddenberry's, the Stephen Hawkins', the Steve Jobs of fame, all make us say "You're kidding?" when someone tells us they died, with dropped mouths and a gasp.

Stan Lee in general, I think was an all-around nice guy.  Of course, I don't know what his business practices were like, what style of management he used, what investments he delved into, or what his political party or opinions were.  But he was portrayed in the media as a nice, fun-loving man.

And I'm not trying to demean that.  He probably was and I hope he was.  But I still wonder why the 95-year old man down our street who died yesterday evokes only a "really?" from us, when Burt Reynolds, John McCains and the Neil Simons summon a louder "REALLY??" response.

Again, I'm not try to minimize Stan Lee's death.  Rest in peace, Stan.  You've given us alot.

I'm just trying to figure out what it is that the media stimulates a more shocked response in us when someone famous died versus the everyday man.

I just don't %$&^#*ing get it.  What in the world is with the onslaught of "diaper" art that's posting on this site?  It's bad enough with the 'furr-nudes' and the grossly obese women (which I don't get either!) but now there's this new plague of fetish art devoted to adults (and animals) wearing diapers?!?!?!?!?  What in the God-forsaken, bloody hell have we as a people sunk to???

Would someone please explain the attraction of this to me...

When did Deviantart.com start becoming a forum for asking for money?  Lately, all I have been seeing is journal entries seeking money for personal reasons and situations.   Not even for art.  "My Sister's boyfriend's uncle's platypus' thyroid is acting up and I don't have enough money to buy him that heating pad he so wanted'.  It's an odd thing and an even an odder thing to be on an art website panhandling like that.  Have some respect for yourself! Now, I'm all for (limited) charity in some cases, but some areas just don't warrant the asking for money.  Would you go to a party and start spilling your guts why you need a few dollars from everyone?  Would you stop guests at a wedding reception to see if they can spare a few bucks?  Ask the guy next to you at the football game if he can help you out?  I guess some people would.  It's odd and strange.  If you are an artist, at least offer up a sketch or something for some donation.  I'm surprised purely asking for a handout on this site isn't frowned upon by other viewers.

Woo Hoo!  Super Albino to me!  Thanks to all who took the time to award (is that the right word...?  Grant?  Bestowe?  Approve?) me - and many others - Albinos.  I have reached my 100th Albino, upgrading me to **dun-dun-dun-duuuuun** SUPER ALBINO.  Seriously, grateful to all who've given them to me and I hope to present them back in return (even if it DOES take me some time to do it).

I'm envious - downright jealous - of artists who submit work after work, consistent in posting, showing their latest piece.  I haven't done any art in months - due to lack of time, sleep, motivation and just life in general.  I applaud those artists who focus their energies on their craft, whose life IS their art.  I spend more time browsing through DA then submitting to it.  I don't like it, but that's how it's been.  To those who are not professional artists (and I mean that in no demeaning way - merely the idea of those artist who don't get paid regularly for their work), I say bravo to you who continuously work and hone their art - sometimes only for art's sake.  Keep them coming, and spread the good feel and good vibes and share the muses that sit on your shoulder.