TQ, artist aspect @TQ@mastodon.art

Hello! I feel it's time for an updated #introcuction. I'm an #artist from Germany, exploring the boundaries between #abstractArt and naturalistic #traditionalArt. My art is usually colorful and energetic, and I like to use modern tools like acrylic #spraypaint, #markers and combine them with "traditional" #acrylicPaint and ink.
I sometimes still do #urbanSketching or #drawing. But #painting is what I currently enjoy the most!

(Constructive critique and thoughts welcome.)

Despite feeling quite under the weather, I painted today. I worked on mark making and abstract language, and it's been tough. I'm out of practice.
I worked on 6 small canvases simultaneously, and I'm considering adding more layers when everything is dry, simulated in the third photo.
I might call those "The Skies". #mastoArt #creativeToot #traditionalArt #wip #wetpaint

And it's even in parts pointing a finger at myself for feeling called out and alert when some people told me my art looked like it's been painted by a woman.
I mean, it's interesting how I reacted to that. Even though I'm quite conscious in my choice of color, style, sujet. I chose not to look like sone white cisdude with mommy-issues!
Interesting. Very interesting. #YouPaintLikeGender

Which doesn't mean I'm pointing fingers at you for pointing something out that you experienced. It's the system, not the individual.

And thus, judging art by the means of "fitting" into a less successful category in the market can be problematic. Because, being already marginalized and having experienced one's work devaluated, one could perceive this as "your art doesn't stand up to the highest standards". One could perceive this as "your art looks less valuable" or "I can't imagine you succeeding". #YouPaintLikeGender

My point is: The art world is just as biased as the rest of the world. People who experience marginalization and discrimination in other places will experience the same in regards to art. They'll see their work rated lower, especially if it concurs with stereotypes associated with their marginalization. And while e.g. women might get more social encouragement to do floral, colorful art, the resulting (stereotypical) "feminine art" isn't as appreciated or well-paid. #YouPaintLikeGender

If you're not looking over the shoulder of an artist right while they are creating it, the work was somehow *selected*. Often by gatekeepers who are more likely to let one kind of person pass (whom they expect to be successful?), while they hold others back. And of course, if you see art on the web, probably by algorithms that pushed some art and held other art down, by selecting one website and not another one. And then of course: By the artist themselves. #YouPaintLikeGender