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EbonyLace β Starving Artist
Published: 2006-04-12 17:44:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 6568; Favourites: 154; Downloads: 2864
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Description
I've been wanting to capture this for quite a while. To me, being hungry and homeless is one of my greatest fears, and has often been a realistic one.Seeing an artist (or any person for that matter) who is living on the streets is a sobering image. I can't help but wonder what put them in the gutter, and why society feels it's ok to brush them aside by assuming they have addictions. I was completely stunned when a couple years ago I saw a boy, not a year older than myself, hunched over a tattered notebook, with a similar sign propped up in front of him. His boney fingers stained with pencil lead, and body clothed in shabby garments. I walked passed him...to afraid to address his obvious situation.
I'm ashamed I didn't stop. For that, I'm trying harder to do my part not only as an artist, but as a compassionate human being. And sometimes, having the newest version of Photoshop, the nicest digital camera, or even a spiral sketchbook isn't that important when you see what those without luxury can show the world.
Photographer: Me.
Camera: Sony Cyber-shot 2.0 mp
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Comments: 56
Definitely a powerful message. It's just so easy to push them to the back of your mind or dismiss them because it's just too scary, too sad, too much, and you don't want to think about them, you don't want to know that the world is a cruel place, and that the person standing there could so easily be you, or your sister or brother or anyone you care about. You really did a fantastic job of addressing the issue.
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Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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As an artist myself this image makes me sad but also happy for I have been blessed with an ability to create things out of my hand. Sure, it might not be the best thing in the world but to know that I have that sort of magic makes me feel like I have purpose.
I had a friend who did this, she was on the streets drawing for money and/or food. She lost everything, first she was living with her parents then their house burnt down and instead of trying to help her out, they decided that she needed to live on her own, she was only 16 at the time and dumped off. The only things she carried were a sketch book, an eraser, and broken number 2 pencils in her bag. I helped her out the best I could, but I felt so helpless..I don't know how she did it, but she lived life the happiest she possibly could even if she could barely find work, a home, or even a little scrap of food to eat. I was so happy that someone finally noticed that not only was she a talented, and spirited girl but that she was also a human being with so much soul and heart that only a portion of people in the world would know of the feelings that radiated from her. She finally got adopted by a loving family and shes already gone to college and followed her passions, but the one thing that truly kept her alive was her art and having the basic necessitates such as having a pencil and paper.
I may not have Photoshop, and sure my pieces may never achieve all time fame or even fully recognized on DA, but I am willing to keep on following my passion because like it did for my friend, it keeps me alive and aware of things that not too many others would look at. I think we can all learn a little something from people who are homeless, people who were like my friend with no one to guide them, people who yearn just to do something that makes them happy, something that makes them feel like they don't have to worry about the world and all the little loop holes and fears that go with it.
Especially in these times, art is about the only thing that makes sense anymore.
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I am very touched by your words and want to thank you for sharing the story of your friend. And you are exactly right about these times. Art has the power to do many things, and those would are gifted with even the slightest of artistic "magic" can shape their world differently than those who remain void of creativity and inspiration. Thank you very much for your comment, it came at a very opportune time for me.
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You are most welcome. I sincerely thank you for posting this photograph up on here and getting people to really think outside the box. I am glad that my comment came at a good time for you, and I hope it has helped you in anyway possible
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This is why I have a day job nice work. Well it's at night but I call it a day job so you know. lol
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I featured this in my journal: [link]
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Sorry to bother you with two comments, but I wanted to let you know that youβre now also featured in my 100 Deviations news article here: [link]
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I have featured this deviation under the category of Starving Artist for the 100 Featured Deviations Challenge in my journal here: [link]
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I know what thats like.socitey does nothing to change things it just sweeps the issue under the mat.The same thing happened to me in Melboune. I was in flinders street and there was a 16 year old boy tops sitting on the train station steps-he had "hugnry and homless,please help" written on this peice of cardboard and nobody helped him.It scared me.i couldn' help him and i walked straight past. I still feel guilty to this day.
But yeah i know what you mean.
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Very nice,
This has lots of meaning and it spoke from the heart. from the truth most importantly.
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There is nothing to criticize at all! The simple image yet very powerful that speaks the emotion with the sign. I really do agree with your comment; I sometime see some of them on edges of roads, and it really pain my hearts to see them being standing around. Even I witnessed one of them weeping silently which definitely BROKE my heart. Every time I look at the picture, many thoughts were poured in my heads and regrets for them. You did really wonderful snapshot, and my friend, you speak out a truth.
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This picture shoves a reality that is very likely for many on this site. It's a fear many of us hope to overcome, but I have great respect for anyone who is still able to create in this sort of situation.
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i really think you said the right words. i hope i'll not stand still on these words, but do something. (But how?
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Thank you very much for looking. And I guess to do something about it would be a little different for everyone. You could help out more in your community by volunteering your time to a church, shelter, etc. that donate to the homeless. Or make donations to organizations that help in your neighborhood like a food pantry. Perhaps, if you personally know someone who is struggling, maybe you could talk to them and see if you can get them aid. I'm positive there are many things that you could do. Thank you again for stopping by! :hug;
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I hope there will be something to find. . .actually i don't earn my own money yet, but. . .yes. . .i'll try do bandon some things that are not essential (this is a topic i think about very often in the last time) and give the money for something usual.
I hope there will be a good chance.
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seeing something like this makes me cry on the inside because sometimes you wish u could do something but cant...
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Amazing! I just saw this...and...I can't even type the words to describe my love for it. Wonderful photo, wonderful concept.
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Gorgeous and absolutely chilling... ^^ Great job....
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This is very creative. Something so simple and obvious. It really says alot. I'm deffinately adding at as a fav.
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Reading the comments and the story behind this, it really has touched me.. Ugh... I feel like crying... I am really thankful now for being able to afford just about any art thing I could want.
I remember being a kid seeing this poor man in San Fransico. His clothes were tattered, and he looked really dirty. He had this messy beard. Anyway, he was trying to make staues out of copper wire, and maybe try and sell them. I didn't think anyone would buy them.
This picture portrays quite a lot: survival, hardship in the world of art, especially if your'e poor, perseverance,etc. Quite a piece of work you've got there. More people should know about this...
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This is really heartbreaking. I've always been afraid to end up like this ._.
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oh god i tottally understand, in the same boat!
its like you either be an artist and give everything else up, or you live a mainstream life with money for material possesions
i like this image, its strong and its raw
adding to faves
well done
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Thank you a thousand times. I'm glad you could relate.
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This really touched me. I think that art as an occupation is fine- if it brings in enough money to live. When it doesn't, it's time to do art on the side for money, and find another job to help pay the bills. Sometimes, though, it's hard to find that other job. Around here, you don't see many artists on the streets (it's usually lazy people), thank goodness. But I find it rather heart-breaking to see all of these young, aspiring artists who are going to school for their art. Many of them never realize that for every one of them, there are approximately five of us who would love to go to school for art, ourselves. Maybe not for a carreer, maybe so. They're realizing the dream of so many people. But they don't really understand at all.
Everyone knows that there is a fine line between getting carried away (if you suck, you suck: you can pracitice, but art may not really be a carreer path for you), and knowing that you've got what it takes. I believe that many artists that you find on the street, have probably been there most of their lives, and have realized that...they have an artistic ability. Unfortunately for them, some sort of circumstance (be it their parents or not) has left them without the ability to go to school. But they have that one thing- that small object that all of us see every day. Do we think anything of it? No. But to these people, it's a get-away from the real world. Into a place where they're not hungry if they're painting a steak dinner, or they're not lonely if they're painting a beautiful woman...
The saddest part is, that for every artist who put themselves in that particular situation, there is one who cannot help his circumstance. But society doesn't seem to notice at all, and lumps them all together. A terrible mistake.
You've really made me think today, and I am very thankful for that. Originally I came to your gallery because you were listed in friend's list of someone who was in the friend's list of a friend of a friend. Or something like that. Your icon really caught my eye. The title of this was something that drew me in like sun does for a sunflower. The deviation refused to load on your page, and I was VERY surprised (though pleasantly)- to find this.
The last two lines you posted- about being a more compassionate human being, and about how having the best really isn't important- are words that, I think, need to be relayed to a lot of the people on this site. You see them complaining all the time. "Ah, I can't buy Photoshop..." Big freakin' deal. I mean, sure, it sucks, but if you don't have it, and you can't find anybody willing to try to break the law to snail-mail a copy to you, well...too bad. Cry a river, y'know?
Being an artist is nice, but it doesn't always pay the bills. Same with being a writer, songwriter, or a variety of other jobs out there. I have to say- if you can't deal with working another job, then I'm guessing that you (generally, I don't mean you, yourself) are screwed. You want art to be something you enjoy doing, something that gets you away from the real world... I know far too many artists who are starting to hate art, now that they're forced to do it every day. Rather than letting art be a 24/7 job, let it be a part-time thing. I think young people need to plan on that. (I'm not talking about graphic designers, or anything, of course) I used to know a lot of people who thought they'd "make it rich" by being an artist. All too soon, they realized that only a handful out of the millions of wannabes make it that far.
And, anyway, wouldn't it be better to sit down after work to paint, than to be out on the street begging to paint something for a dollar? This world is in sad shape, that it is. I would say that it's getting a lot closer to The End.
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I cannot stress to you the appreciation I have for your thoughtful and deep response to my photograph. It actually brought me to tears since I am currently wrestling with the fact that I can't make art a 'full time job'. You are completely right about artists in careers today. Very few rise to that top level of trendy 'idolized artists', but that doesn't mean we can't carve our mark on society through other ways. I have to admit that I'm happy with my dollar store brand pencil shapener and personal taste, but I don't think I really knew it until I started seeing the truth of what becomes of artists...successful or not.
I'm SO very glad that my piece could make you think about this issue and compel you to post your views, here, along with it. You're contributing to this piece and making it even more powerful. Thank YOU, for taking the time to understand it.
*Gigantic hugs* ^.^
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Its true. Being an artist is such a tough life. its hard to make a living off tat. And its terrible to see something like this. This image not only made me feel bad on inside but deep inside it made me Think of how No matter who you are its tough to make a living and how unfair life can truely be. I wish everyone was as lucky as those who are all rich and famous. Society standards for what they call art Is so diffrent now and PLAIN honestly. But for those artists tat didnt make the cut can have the most beatiful art but never get praise for it why is tat because now its cruel competive world out there... and those who cant see it are blind...I hope for those who have good lifes now can find it in their hearts to be greateful for what they have and try to help those in need... I know ill try harder.
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*Giant hugs back* No problem; I was more than happy to. I work in a factory, so I make enough money to buy myself nice art supplies (even if I only do art for fun). But it's just so sad that people complain when they don't have those Prismacolor Markers or Pencils...
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And hey, you use the same type of camera I do! (Though mine is a 7.2MP). Pretty neat!
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Thank you for taking this picture. I agree with everything you said. Everytime I go to New Orleans, the streets are littered with them (or, well, they were). Tis sad.
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It's heartbreaking. Thank you for your comment.
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Touching, and sad..
At least those people hold the most important values in life closer to their heart than perhaps anyone else..
xx
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Yes, it truly is. Thank you for commenting.
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this is wonderful image. and yes, the society is going to [put_your_own_word_here]... it is very scary. and the gov and that people hight up are always donating to somewhere, for the homeless and the starving, but I really wonder where that money goes since they obviously don't get any of that. there are so many simple solutions to that problems and yet they pretend not to see them. I'm just happy that here we still don't have that many of that problems. though here, almost all are poor and almost homeless since gov and politics here are a total parody. aah... it pisses me off!!!!
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