217: No More Boring Art

Should Instagram Get to Censor Art?  

Whether we like it or not, they are.  

Their guidelines explicitly allow for real world art that depicts sexual content. Some artists are being banned completely.  

A good example: The Little Black Gallery in London had their entire account deleted for a congratulatory post that had a silhouette image of a woman.  

Artists need a platform to be seen.  

I ran into an issue when I tried to promote my watercolor class Go Figure. This course will help you paint realistic and natural human figure, and my very non-explicit image was considered too explicit for Instagram.  

Click here for access to my Go Figure class. 

Why Art is Now Boring  

Do you like art that’s interesting, pushing boundaries or boring vanilla art? I know you all want interesting art. So why has art become boring?  

Journalist, Michelle Goldberg wrote about the new book by W. David Marx Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change 

Goldberg shares that the book highlights how we use art and fashion to demonstrate our social status, but the author no longer thinks it’s no longer working. Why? Several reasons but one of the biggest is the ability we have to fake our “image” with filters or by photoshopping ourselves next to a private plane.  

For links to this and other great reads check out my book club list.  

Grab my book club reading list here!  

The Dark Side of Matisse 

The Red Studio Exhibit shows the famous Matisse painting of his studio. The exhibit pulls out each piece of art and other things in the room.  

It’s made me aware of a backstory that I didn’t know until now. The nude painting depicted is likely that of Matisse’s daughter who would have been 16 or 17 at the time.  

It makes me see this in a new light. What do you think?  

Join the conversation and let me know what you think on Instagram. 

Big Eyes: The Art of Margaret Keane 

Margaret D. H. Keane (born Peggy Doris Hawkins, September 15, 1927 – June 26, 2022) was an American artist known for her paintings of subjects with big eyes. She mainly painted women, children, or animals in oil or mixed media.  

Her husband was originally credited for her work, but she claimed ownership after they divorced. They had to have a “paint off” in court so she could prove it was her work!  

A resurgence of interest in Margaret Keane's work followed the release of Tim Burton's 2014 biopic Big Eyes which I highly recommend.  

If you are struggling to gain recognition for your work, I’ve got you.  

Check out podcast episode 170, Top Insider Publicity Secrets with Senior Media Coach Lynya Floyd 

Art World News Weekend Edition 

It’s been a busy week. We’ve covered censorship on Instagram. Additionally, we found out that art is now boring from author W. David Marx.  

I’m still checking out your comments about the ethics of Matisse’s painting of his daughter.  

Lastly, I loved sharing Margaret Keane’s story about her art, her fight to claim her own work, and why her method of painting eyes came about.  

Until next time, stay inspired.