THINK Different (About Art + Creativity)

The Art Of Being Kind + The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck

Feb 07, 2025

When I saw this AI-generated "painting" of Vincent van Gogh with an afro, I laughed out loud. It looks like van Gogh got made over by Bob Ross and isn’t a fan of “happy accidents.”

While both are now considered icons of the art world, neither artist’s work was truly respected or successful in their lifetime. Van Gogh famously sold only one painting while he was alive. And while Bob Ross’s PBS series may have inspired millions, the art world was less than impressed with his outsider art and wet-on-wet technique.

I can’t help but wonder—did these men ever feel their work was worthless? Not just because creative types can be sensitive, but because some people overvalue their opinions and feel the need to share them. Loudly and proudly. Ugh.

MEETING CREATIVITY IRL

I didn’t meet my first artists, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, or writers until I was in high school and college. And even then, I had no clue what to say to them.

All the books I read led me to believe they were different.
And according to my mom, different wasn’t a good thing.

I was already different enough. What if I was one of them too? Oh. My. Stars.

Eventually, I became friends with several artists, musicians and storytellers. When they weren’t painting, making music, taking photos, or writing, they lived relatively normal lives. They weren’t anymore broke, crazy, or tortured anyone else I knew.

Up until then, creative types were just characters in books, movies, and TV shows to me. I didn’t realize they had real lives. I didn’t know that most didn’t have it all figured out either. “Work-in-progress” is a concept that’s taken me a long time to embrace.

Like a lot of creatives, I grew up believing creativity could be a “real” job. In my family, art (in all its many forms) was considered a hobby, a distraction—something you could do, but something you should never take too seriously.

WHAT’S IT WORTH…TO ME + YOU?

“Value” and “worth” are two words that keep popping up for me lately.

Long story short: Some like my work and think it’s worth supporting. Some don’t.

I’m grateful for the former and frustrated by the latter.
Mostly because the latter is so sure I need to know their opinion.

Here’s my opinion: We all need to remember the acronym THINK more:

What if we applied this kind of THINKing to art, creativity, or even other people’s lives? What if we thought more before deciding someone or something has no value worth? What if we just let people be?

Last time I checked, it costs nothing to be kind.
It costs nothing to let people be and/or create whatever they like.
It costs nothing to scroll on if you don’t like or value them or their work.

So before declaring someone or something as "not worth it," please THINK again.

Have a great day and weekend ahead!
Clint 🌈✌️

P.S. I know not everyone can afford to become a paid subscriber or patron. But if you enjoy my work, please consider sharing it with your dears, nears, and queers. Thanks!

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

In honor of LGBT History Month in the UK, I’ve added and/or updated the following:

Herbert List (updated)
Horst P. Horst (updated)
J.C. Leyendecker (updated)
Kovert Of Hollywood (updated)
Thomas Eakins (updated)
Wilhelm von Gloeden (updated)
William Haines (updated)

More new and updated Pioneers + Pride posts are in the works…stay tuned!

ON THIS DAY = FEBRUARY 7

BIRTHDAYS

1804 = John Deere = American blacksmith and businessman
1812 = Charles Dickens = English writer
1867 = Laura Ingalls Wilder = American writer
1885 = Sinclair Lewis = American writer and Nobel Prize laureate
1908 = Buster Crabbe = American swimmer and actor 🌈
1932 = Gay Talese = American writer
1955 = Miguel Ferrer = American actor and director
1960 = James Spader = American actor and producer
1962 = Suzy Eddie Izzard = British comedian and actor 🌈
1962 = Garth Brooks = American singer-songwriter
1965 = Chris Rock = American actor and filmmaker
1968 = Mark Tewksbury = Canadian swimmer and activist 🌈
1977 = Dee Rees = American filmmaker 🌈
1978 = Ashton Kutcher = American model, actor, and entrepreneur
1985 = Deborah Ann Woll = American actor

EVENTS

1940 = The second full-length animated Walt Disney film, Pinocchio, premieres.
1964 = The Beatles land in the United States for the first time, at the newly renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport.
1974 = Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles premieres at the Pickwick Drive-In in Burbank, California, where patrons watch from horseback rather than cars.
1991 = The first lesbian kiss on US television occurs between Amanda Donohoe and Michelle Green on L.A. Law.