"Its belongs to 22th century Rand Age."

Thanks, but let's hope we can quicken that a little bit. Actually, just two days ago I finished another review of a great living artist, my 2nd review, coming out in the April and May issues of TNI.

I think one great way to look at it is that we are in a new movement now.

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

Scott:

I'm just an American.

I'm a stage-lighting director and designer: I've worked on rock shows since 1977.

I watch what's going on, and I have a rotten attitude. This is cause & effect.

Onward.

No, that me and all others should thank you for your art which is great inspiration. Its belongs to 22th century Rand Age

 gregster,

I am sorry, but I don't really understand your post, therefor it is not easy to respond to.

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

"...now all can be forgiven for the cheap, cheap price of a 'free' little portraiture for my wedding."

 Congrats!

But before you ask me about a commission again, I suggest you ask Lindsay what my response was to his request to do a portrait of Mario Lanza.

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

 "Damn Artists"!!!

www.michaelnewberry.com

 Scott,

You see, Leonid understands!

Leonid,

Thank you.

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

Scott: "If the worst that can be said of you is that you are sometimes self-indulgent..."

 Oh Scott,

You don't understand that "self-indulgence" i.e. being a prima donna, ego maniac, guru, genius, a gift to humanity, etc. is the hall mark of any artist worth their salt. I recommend that you indulge them in equally glowing terms then you might be rewarded by them bestowing on you charm of breathtaking dimensions. 

"Way to skirt the issues. And to appear Zen-calm after exposing yourself emotionally as you did with your post."

Seriously, I am not sure getting a handle on my character is best done from online posts–I tend to be weird, mischievous, moralistic, and flippant–either in all or part, but always truthful. I am also not Italian. I have quite a bit of ruthless German in me, and I am always aware that when I am posting it is in the public domain. This German foresight is a much more reliable tool than the Portuguese kind--there is no need to have to apologize for being blind-sighted and for flying off the handle. 

You might also recall, several years ago, on the old solo I justly acquired the nickname Michael "Fuck Objectivism" Newberry, one the proudest periods of my online forum life. I will not relate the story of that now.

Your best bet is through my art–it is always 100% from my naked deepest self. Though, you might, like some others, find translating images to understanding difficult.

Michael

www.michaelnewberry.com

Note the precision answer from Mr. Beck.

I've visited your website and viewed your work. It is great! It is larger than life-especially nude: Ascension day and Ascension night. Congratulation!

...I do not know who you are or what you do. But I like your attitude.

Scott DeSalvo

Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you're probably right!!

'...what positive thing( can you contribute to world?"

Please pay close attention: That is not my job.

Damn Artists

I do not think anyone should be insulted for creating art, unless it is art along the lines of ... "Shit Stained Toilet."

Ah crap, I bought one of those. Are they only worth shit?

Bloody visual arts.

(Didn't take the bait Scott, and anyway, under those damned burquas, in hot countries, I've often suspected the poor sod women probably do.)

 "Michael, I've already complimented your work earlier on in your SOLO
involvement... so do not feel the urgency to do so now on demand."

 Yes I recall that. But, does it count if it was under the false name of Claudia?

In anycase, I didn't press my demand twice and waited for you. :) 

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

where it's due...

damn cool picture of you Scott Cocksman!! Very handsome indeed.

Michael, I've already complimented your work earlier on in your SOLO involvement... so do not feel the urgency to do so now on demand.

Way to skirt the issues. And to appear Zen-calm after exposing yourself emotionally as you did with your post.

I never meant to suggest that your ego was no fragile that one or two people not appreciating your art would destroy you, discourage or even particularly bother you. The only criticism I listen to is internal criticism based upon my judgment of my performance. You seem like a self-possessed fellow who probably shares that characteristic. I would take issue with this: it seems to me to be implicit in demanding congratulations that the congratulator acknowledge the value of that which is the subject of the congratulations. In other words, demanding congratulations IS a demand for an audience to appreciate the subject.

I do not think anyone should be insulted for creating art, unless it is art along the lines of "Monkey Fucking Football" or "Shit Stained Toilet." THOSE artists, we throttle.

The issue for me was that it was awfully presumptuous of you to post something like that--and indulgent. And insulting to a large audience that has never meant you anything but well. An ungrateful thing, but also a poor business decision, given your marketing strategies. From the magnanimous tone of most of these response posts, it appears that no one has taken too much umbrage, except perhaps momentarily by cranky overworked lawyers.

If the worst that can be said of you is that you are sometimes self-indulgent, then your worst characteristic is a positive charm when compared to some. Like ALL Muslims, who smell [Just kidding--sorry, I had to throw in a little Mark Hubbard baiting!]

Scott DeSalvo

Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you're probably right!!

Lindsay,

Of the people here, aside from Cresswell with who I have stellar connection, I knew you would connect with my post. But, I would hope you would sense that I engaged in a bit of theater.

About coming and going, I am essentially using Solo for free advertising, instead of as a community to hang out in. That of course can change, if the respect and the quality of exchanges is there.

btw, hahahahah, look how supportive several responses have been--polemics is a very strange animal.

I am honored by your well wishes, and think this post was big of you (that may be an American expression, "big of you" means admirable.) Try not to take the artistic integrity thing to heart--that issue is not nearly as important as what actions we take.

Michael

www.michaelnewberry.com

Humans in general are too quick to damn and too slow to praise. Objectivists in particular are enjoined to do both, according to merit, but in many instances the "praise" part of the equation is conspicuous by its absence. I put it down to solipsism, which is an Objectivist occupational hazard. Mr. Newberry may be both practitioner and victim in this case. And I have my doubts that calling folk "pigs," "envy-ridden has-beens" and the like is likely to conduce to the sort of supportiveness he is seeking.

Personally I have given up extending praise to Michael since it just gets thrown back in my face. Also, he and I have irreconcilable differences as to what "artistic integrity" consists of. I leave him to go his own way without input from me. Every third Thursday he ups and leaves in a huff for reasons I can't make out, then returns a little time later. Part of life's rich tapestry. He's always welcome here and I genuinely wish him well.

I do know about Objectivists -- both on and offline -- they are a highly self-criticizing bunch.

I examined your site months ago before your last fit of pique. You've made some wonderfully coloured paintings. That I did not publicly comment is not an indication that I thought otherwise.
The insecurity on your part is surprising. Believe in yourself Mr Newberry– don't be consumed by what others may or may not think. Have deserved pride in your achievements, and there are quite a few beauties.
Icarus Landing was pictured on 'Not PC' and I looked again.
You didn't answer my question here http://www.solopassion.com/nod... and that did not sink my world: "Mr Newberry,
Very unfair to single out objectivist sites as full of "opinions without substance" and posting SOLO. Did you post this elsewhere? What kinds of sites have more substance on display?"
You say; ”I think the Objectivist world needs an etiquette overhaul.” There is no Objectivist world. It's in your head. Relax.

This is great stuff Michael, now all can be forgiven for the cheap, cheap price of a 'free' little portraiture for my wedding. Just me and Sandy, outside the church ... 'what's that? Um, excuse me Michael, just one minute please ...

[No Sandy, you can't wear the AK 47 in our wedding portrait, even with the lacy shoulder strap. What? No, I'm not wearing that damned cape.]

James: "I understand that fear, Michael, so I would never complain about your lack of interest.

Some might have the very same kind of fear about the visual arts. (Yes, it's possible.)

My own sense of justice, though, agrees with you: we recognize
achievement far too rarely. Most people don't pay their spiritual debts
-- they are misers with the value of recognition.

In the case of my book, I fully expected a whole lot of nothing from
most quarters. I reckoned I was writing for the future. With such low
expectations for humanity, indeed, Objectivists, I turned out to be
surprised beyond my wildest hopes...

Maybe a scholar can work like that, while artists crave more
"feedback." That makes sense to me. Of course, I needn't warn you of
the dangers of social metaphysics, but if your happiness really depends
on the reaction of others to your work, it is a fragile thing, indeed."

James,

What a thoughtful post. Wouldn't it be cool to take the best parts of each O organization and combine them? One thing I have liked very much in ARI is a certain kind of veneration for acheivement. My appologies to you to for not going further but I have to get outta of here to prepare stuff--I just didn't want to leave everyone with the idea that I was 100%  bitter sourpuss.

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

"Unless your post is a giant piss take, in which case, bravo!

www.michaelnewberry.com

Pete: "That said, many on these forums have complimented your works in the
past and take it as a given already that you make a living doing art on
your own terms(and that the end product is exceptionally good). The
fact that you're hosting an exhibit in your own loft isn't that
remarkable in light of what you've already done - people probably think
that's fairly routine for someone like you.

You should relax a little and simply enjoy the creative process of
it all. Don't attach too much of your happiness to the opinions of
strangers on the Internet. If you know your work is good and that
you've achieved something, that's all that should matter.

Long live the nude!!"

What an amazingly reasonable post. Given the context it is kind of shocking in itself.

About happiness, not sure about attaching significance to opinions, compliments, of people--it is awesome to visit a home and see my work hanging in it--or being happy at seeing someone I like, or seeing something that I think is wonderful with what they are doing. I mean if the whole Objectivist community, over night gave me a standing ovation, I think my first reaction would scepticism. hahahahah. 

 Michael

www.michaelnewberry.com

"I haven't been much into paintings since the invention of the camera."

Were you there at the time. (old joke)

I hope that statement doesn't sum up your stance on the visual arts.

Michael

www.michaelnewberry.com

 Goode: "You display a rare talent for self-caricature."

Never been too good at caricature, in the drawing sense. :) 

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

I understand that fear, Michael, so I would never complain about your lack of interest.

Some might have the very same kind of fear about the visual arts. (Yes, it's possible.)

My own sense of justice, though, agrees with you: we recognize achievement far too rarely. Most people don't pay their spiritual debts -- they are misers with the value of recognition.

In the case of my book, I fully expected a whole lot of nothing from most quarters. I reckoned I was writing for the future. With such low expectations for humanity, indeed, Objectivists, I turned out to be surprised beyond my wildest hopes...

Maybe a scholar can work like that, while artists crave more "feedback." That makes sense to me. Of course, I needn't warn you of the dangers of social metaphysics, but if your happiness really depends on the reaction of others to your work, it is a fragile thing, indeed.

[edit.: I hadn't the advantage of your post to Scott when I wrote my own.]

"First, you might want to consider that the entire world does not revolve around you and your art exhibition.

Second, you also might wish to consider that when people choose NOT
to comment on your work, there might be a decorum issue involved (i.e.,
they do not care for your work, and rather than tell you so, discourage
you, or insult you, they remain silent).

What a terrible and ugly reaction to a lack of enthusiasm in a personally-meaningful but not generally important announcement."

Scott, Scott, Scott,

You may not understand my perspective about things--liking my work or not as never occured to me to request of anyone. It's great when that happens, but I don't expect it. 

I don't think anyone on the planet could discourage me, never thought about about that concept til you mentioned it.  

Insulting me for creating art would be strange thing. I would think that would reflect more on the insulter.  

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

 "Peter Cresswell has featured your work on his personal blog
Not PC Blog"

Oh, Peter is one of my best buds, and a god in is own right!

www.michaelnewberry.com

"In other words, I didn't know about your show
until now. But from what I've seen of your work on your website, I'm
sure it was a success!"

Thanks Michael! 

www.michaelnewberry.com

 "Sincerely, and admittedly overdue: GOOD LUCK!

There.

Now, where were all the pats on my back for my work??

Who else, apart from you, has a moral claim to the good wishes of others? Just artists? Or just you?"

Thanks James,

When I know of artists, composers, fiction writers, yes, artists are doing something I try to wish them luck. But like everyone here, sometimes, it goes by. I haven't given kodos yet to Walter Donway, to be fair, in part because I am clueless about poetry. So posting this thread shows where I lack giving the thumbs up to others as well. But I have been early to praise Bosch and John Enright.

About things like your biography on the Brandens, I have been afraid to enter into that world. 

Michael 

www.michaelnewberry.com

... what positive thing( can you contribute to world?
Surely that is a trick question for objectivists.

Oh, bravo

Answer: me. 

 Now that I have had my polemical poke at all of you, there is one question I have: what are you for? I mean that in serious, romantic, and real way--what positive thing( can you contribute to world? 

Cheers,

 Micahel

www.michaelnewberry.com

Unless your post is a giant piss take, in which case, bravo!

Which is it? 

This is now my considered response. When I first read your post over my cornies this morning I was so taken aback with the gall of it, part of me said, yeah, brilliant, while part was saying yeah, wanker. So I decided to use my God-like writing powers in that instance and pen my initial post, below, in a manner you would have been able to read as supportive, or dismissive.

But your post has been rankling me more as the day has gone on; the tone, the subject line which is an insult to every Objectivist working every bit as hard as you in their own fields of endeavour, and your final absurd and again insulting, sentence. And then using my divine powers of being able to sniff out a screw lose, I realised something that in no way adds up about you.

There is one thing that always piques my curiosity, and sets the 'wanker' alarm bells off in my mind: contradictions.

You have set forth on a huge one here, being how do you reconcile this God-like wrath above, with your statement, quote: Don't you see the false alternative in the reasoning? You leave out the concept of succeeding with a mature, experienced, and intelligent audience. Perhaps it is just me, but when I see two or more emotionally charged people arguing I immediately think of them as total wimps. And, I, for sure, don't see that has anything to do with passion?

In this thread you are treating people on this forum you've never seen or talked to like ungrateful children, not a 'mature audience'. And, by your very own definition, you have just put yourself in the camp of the wimps.

So, an explanation of this contradiction please, because you are playing some sort of nonsense game at some remove from the facts of reality, that does not allow for MY FUCKING INDIVIDUALITY, (which you will have noticed on other threads is a biggy with me,) by lumping me in with the clods (AND I AM A FELLOW GOD, DAMN IT) and that doesn't predispose me, at all, to treat you in the camp of one of my 'mature audiences'.

Or was all this caused by too much blood to the head, the result of laying thusly.

I didn't even see the original post, but I haven't been as engaged in Objectivist forums as I was a few years ago. I do wish you well with it.

That said, many on these forums have complimented your works in the past and take it as a given already that you make a living doing art on your own terms(and that the end product is exceptionally good). The fact that you're hosting an exhibit in your own loft isn't that remarkable in light of what you've already done - people probably think that's fairly routine for someone like you.

You should relax a little and simply enjoy the creative process of it all. Don't attach too much of your happiness to the opinions of strangers on the Internet. If you know your work is good and that you've achieved something, that's all that should matter.

Long live the nude!!

I haven't been much into paintings since the invention of the camera.

You display a rare talent for self-caricature.

First, you might want to consider that the entire world does not revolve around you and your art exhibition.

Second, you also might wish to consider that when people choose NOT to comment on your work, there might be a decorum issue involved (i.e., they do not care for your work, and rather than tell you so, discourage you, or insult you, they remain silent).

What a terrible and ugly reaction to a lack of enthusiasm in a personally-meaningful but not generally important announcement.

Scott DeSalvo

Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you're probably right!!

Peter Cresswell has featured your work on his personal blog
Not PC Blog

Michael, I'll find your thread and have a good look through over the weekend, now that I see what you mean by the God of arts

But remember, I meant what I said on that other thread, unlike we writers who make concrete our thoughts through words, and thus we are so accessible, intellectually (note how cleverly this word relates to both parts of this sentence), I 'don't get Objectivism' in the visual arts: in my old home town there was a famous artist who only painted nudes who was an outright Communist. But a nude is a nude to me. No offense, but I'm a visual arts Philistine. I've got one 'real' painting on the walls of my houses: of my dog. Shows you the level I'm at, so your 'art' has gone right over my head.

I'll have a look.

James, well done son. Pat on the back. I'll even buy your book soon, honest. (I'm aware I've not been keeping to my promises in this department lately: still not subscribed to The Free Radical - hey, now there's a bunch more guys and girls who need back patting!)

And then, sniff, bowed head, tear to the eye, what about me? Twenty years of writing to make, lets see, NZ$25 out of it. Just as well I've got a career ... mind you, to pull some dignity back, I've hardly submitted anywhere for eighteen years (until recently) But, well, you know, talk about overlooked, beat that for a hard luck story. And my love on these very threads is spurning me ...

[Sandi, if you say my lack of success in this area is probably because I'm just no good, then it's a divorce ]

Oh, and remember, Internet forums: there's a lot of noise to wade through, and hordes of Muslims, with only a fixed number of hours per day.

I look forward to having a look ... 

I think what you're doing with your art is amazing, but (ask anyone who knows me), I'm not as on top of posts and happenings in the online objectivist/libertarian world as I'd like to be.

In other words, I didn't know about your show until now. But from what I've seen of your work on your website, I'm sure it was a success!

And James, if I haven't said so privately before, YOUR work is an amazing eye-opener as well.

Why would you even want the good wishes of "petty pigs," then?

Look, I'm sorry. I think your work is great, and I have only a small inkling about what it takes to do what you do. I should pat your back more often.

Sincerely, and admittedly overdue: GOOD LUCK!

There.

Now, where were all the pats on my back for my work??

Who else, apart from you, has a moral claim to the good wishes of others? Just artists? Or just you?