PainterFame

You can ask anyone on the street to name their favorite artists, and there is a good chance that they’ll spout off a list. Their list may include Rembrandt, Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Warhol, Dali and Klee. You will notice two things: they will probably not name any contemporary painters, and you are probably not on their list. The problem is that many people do not appreciate the contemporary art world. Ask someone if they know of Barry McGee and they might start reciting Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee. The point is that non-artsy people are not that hip on contemporary artists like David Hockney or Luc Tuymans. So, if you want to become an artist, be prepared to only be recognized long after your death.