AN OPEN LETTER TO WRITERS AND ARTISTS:
by Jonathan D Shaw
Over the last decade since I retired from the whorehouse of commercial art as a ”world famous” celebrity tattoo artist to dedicate my efforts full-time to long-neglected literary pursuits, I’ve asked a good many well-known fellow writers and artists to write blurbs for my books. It’s a common practice and a common courtesy often exchanged as a matter of course between artists who know and respect each other’s work — and, often, even among those who don’t.
For the most part, I’ve been blessed with prompt and generous responses to my requests, especially, oddly enough, from some of the artists who I’ve always most admired and respected. Really high-profile people like Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, Robert Crumb (who actually went so far as to illustrate, without charge, the cover for my latest book); even the likes of Charles Bukowski and Hubert Selby Jr. when they were alive were all amazingly generous and supportive of my fledgling efforts. The list goes on and on. I am eternally grateful to all of those good people for their inspiration, encouragement and generosity of spirit.
But I should also mention that I’ve really got a big throbbing red hard-on today for certain well-established artists and writers, some of whom I even know personally (who for the purpose of this little rant will remain unnamed), who can’t ever seem to find the time to help other artists on their way up — just as other people once helped them when they were emerging.
I know that I’ve been very fortunate to have had such generous support from some really legendary people over the years; but conversely, i’ve also had the sad and ultimately alarming experience of being ”dissed” by a few others who seem to have forgotten where the fuck they came from; artists who’ve apparently chosen to ignore the lesson they should have learned by the example of those who generously helped them on their way up.
So I always try really hard today not to be that guy. It’s not always convenient, but when people ask me for a little advice or a blurb for their book or album cover or art show or whatever, I usually just give it to them without question or drama — unless, of course, their work totally sucks, in which case I will still try to encourage them by referring them to a good editor or a creative writing workshop, a book or whatever.
What I don’t do anymore is blow my fellow artists off. It’s a mean, petty, self-centered practice; and ultimately very destructive to people’s souls on both sides of the coin. Artists, I believe, need to stick together. We are the living, breathing conscience of humanity. And we appear to be a dying breed in today’s world as the human herd thunders towards mediocrity, cowardice, greed, self-centered mindless entertainment, and ultimate collapse.
Listen, don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying I’m some sort of long-suffering patron saint to the Arts or any kinda shit like that; but for fuck’s sake, it usually takes as little time to read a bit of someone’s work and write a fucking little blurb for ‘em as it would take to compose a lame-ass excuse that you’re too goddamned ‘busy’ to do so. Especially if it’s somebody you actually KNOW. Get a fucking grip, guys! What goes around comes around. Don’t you know that yet?
Of course I know you can’t read every fucking piss-ant badly-written little script, book or manuscript that comes your way — especially if you’re a serious working artist who’s fully occupied with your own workload. You can, however, take a moment’s time to pay forward your own success by offering a bit of support and encouragement to those who are trudging a similar path — if for no other reason than the fact that it is good for your own fucking soul.
It may not always be the case, but often I find that the artists who are most secure of themselves and their work and their own professional status are usually the quickest ones to come through for another artist who’s still ”struggling.” Funny how that works. I believe it’s called maturity.
So when some commercially successful writer, musician, actor or artist tells you right to your face that they’re ”too busy” to show enough gratitude for their own good fortune to write you a little PR blurb for your stuff, or that they’ll ”get around to it” and then you’re still waiting a year later, I suggest that they should really take a good hard look at themselves.
After all, it only takes a few minutes. Are these people really so far removed from their true purpose or blinded by their fame now that they simply can’t remember all the good people who once took the time to help them when they were coming up?
Unfortunately, some of the people who are the least enthusiastic about helping emerging artists seem to be the ones who are obviously jealous or envious of their talent. I know firsthand. I used to be one of those guys. These poor fuckers tend, sadly, to be the most intimidated by the quality of emerging work, which is, at times, much stronger than their own best efforts on many levels.
One would think that such high-profile established ‘’successful” artists wouldn’t need to be so insecure, even in the face of obviously superior talent, since one would reason that they’ve already made their mark, so what do they really have to lose anyway by helping what they seem to see as ”the competition”? But all too often, the exact opposite seems to be the case. I know. You would be amazed how many household names have achieved their fame and fortune more as a result of largely fear-based obsessive drive than simply ”following their bliss” in a spirit of love and service to a generous, abundant universe.
Such people may indeed become quite ”successful” in commercial terms. The examples are abundant; but their real ”success” tends to be short-lived. In fact, many of them are perfectly miserable in the privacy of their own souls; that much I can tell you from personal experience as well as from deep personal interaction and close observation of a good many other such unfortunates, including my own father, the legendary Jazz icon, Artie Shaw.
Not all that glitters is gold, people, take it from me. Personally, I’d rather be happily usefully whole today while remaining true to the dictates of my soul and my art than to be commercially ”successful” any fucking day.
That’s exactly why I quit being an insecure, jealous self-centered ”world famous” scab-vendor at the top of his game in order to pursue a much more challenging and uncertain path as a full-time writer in the first place.
It took me many years to wake up to the fact that you get back exactly what you give — but finally I did. Now I consider it my sacred fucking duty to deliver that wake up call to others like myself who may still be fast asleep.
And whatever I can do to help another hard-working talented artist must always be seen as a privilege, never a fucking burden. If I ever appear to forget that simple principle, please feel free to remind me. In fact, feel free to smack me upside my fat head with a fucking frying pan!
If commercial success and personal integrity can go together in a generous spirit of love and service, then so much the better, I say. Today I honestly believe that that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. Why not?
I really love Jonathan Shaws books and I am looking forward to the next one that comes out! I think his talent speaks for itself and he is an original.
Love the next to the last paragraph the mostest!
A beautiful and inspiring reminder to all artists no matter where they are in their career. It’s the journey not the destination but I know I wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of some generous people. One of them being you, Jonathan. You’ve been incredibly supportive and always responded to questions, etc… I just had some work featured in DUFF Magazine in Japan and had some help from my friend, Kelly(who knows first hand you’re a down to Earth joe despite being “World-Famous”) who did me a huge favour by doing it. I got the gig because I sent them some samples of my work which is a direct result of the support of people like you. So, Thank You for being a great Artist and for all your help. Being an Artist is ALL about supporting eachother if you ask me!
Here’s the link to it and hopefully you will be proud you contributed to it happening!
http://www.duffworx.com
Mahalo!
Louis
ps – I also should mention I asked if I could quote you about something nice you said about my work for my Art bio at a show I did in San Francisco and it was a simple, fast, awesome “Yes” and it meant a lot. Thank you.
anytime, bro. It’s always my pleasure. cheers!
the law of Karma is on your side..and I’ll “wai” that!
Good luck in all of your endeavors…………hope to see more of your stuff!
we’re on your side…..love B and J