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The Separation Between Art and the Artist

I have a problem.

Well, it might not be a problem. I guess it depends how you look at it.

I have trouble separating the art from the artist.

Let me give an example:

If I don't like an actor or actress, I don't bother seeing their movies. They might be fantastic, but if I dislike them, I can't separate how I feel from the work they're doing.

I used to try and fight this. I'd tell myself that it was my responsibility as an artist to look past my personal feelings about someone and just take their work for what it is.

Then I got a little older and realized that life is too short to spend doing stuff you don't like. And if I don't like someone, I don't like experiencing their work.

I know that some awful people have been truly great artists, and I'm thankful that I don't know as much about my favorite actors, writers, etc., because if I did, I may not like them as much. In fact, sometimes I specifically try not to find out things about the celebrities I like because I don't want to stop enjoying their work.

Yes, I should just learn to develop that separation between art and the artist, but knowing how much of what I do is a part of me, it makes me realize that when I'm appreciating someone's art, I'm also appreciating them, and it's hard to do that if I don't like the person the work is coming from.

Maybe that'll change, but until it does, I'll stick to what I like--and what I'm okay with liking.

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