Bullying

It is amazing to me that bullying still exists and still seems to be pushed under the rug. It was a serious problem when I was growing up and it still is - just look at how many teen suicides are predicated by bullying. I had times that I was bullied while I was growing up. I recall one specific young girl while I was in High School. She had tormented me for more than a year and followed me on my walk home from school one night. That was a mistake for her because I broke and my normal passive nature turned violent. I threw my books onto the ground and began phycially beating her up. I was never bothered by her again. In fact, I'm not so sure that she returned to school at all. If it had been a group of people, though, it would have been much more difficult because it is hard for one to prevail against many.

Yet that is what any artist does. They are one voice, often against many critics. They create their vision which is unique unto themselves and hope that others corroborate that vision by purchasing their artwork or communicating pleasure in it in some fashion. So many artists labor alone in their studios or backrooms, or create in off-moments in their days. They don't get an opportunity to stage one-person shows, and often don't have many people to show their work to, making honest feedback difficult. I ask all of you who might be reading this to make an effort this weekend. Encourage someone in their artistic pursuits. Draw or color with your children, set up an easel and paint with someone, go to an art show, attend a craft show and compliment at least one artist there, etc. Leave some positive feedback and some positive feelings in this all-too-negative world and hope that these ripples will spread far.