Every famous, successful artist started somewhere. Every successful artist had a a first piece, first subject, a first failure, a first critique, first supporter, first buyer and many other firsts. What we as art lovers have to realize is that if we like the art, that's all that really matters. That is as far as we need to go in our minds when considering art. Do we like it? Does it speak to us? Does it portray what we feel the artist was trying to portray? There are many differnt styles of art all beautiful in their own way. Many of us will only collect, buy or support an artist because the mass majority like their style. But I am here to Write about what art should really be about. What art can really do for your soul. Just as men have different tastes in women, so to do women have different tastes in men. The same could be and should be said about art.

I also feel the same thoughts should be related to who and what we collect. Two years ago I was at Wondercon, I walked up to this artists table and was the only one standing there.... Who was he? Frank Cho.... Yeah I was the only one standing there talking to this man. Why the heck isnt everyone at his table I was wondering, this guy is great. Then last year I went to Bill Sienkiewicz's table and was like 9th in line.... Two totally different artist, one whose style is much looser and one who has a more realistic view. Bill has been around longer and is considered a legend by many fans. Cho has seen his following increase tremendously over that last few years and is destined to be a legend himself (which I already consider him)

My point is simple collect what you like, dont worry about if the piece is going to be valuable or not, if more people collected what they like and not what they think is valuable, Then MORE art would become valuable. It is important for us as collectors to support the new artist as well as the old. It is important for us as artists to continue to put ourselves out there through every failure and every critique. It is easy for someone to tear down others work when they themselves are not putting their soul out there for all to see. It is the biggest form of cowardliness one can show.

So support your new artist just as much as you support the old. Be a Leader and not a Follower.