Art and the artist have always been and will always be synonymous. Can you think about Starry Nights without associating with Van Gogh? Can you think about ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ or ‘We Will Rock You’ without associating them with Queen? Can you watch a movie without associating it with the actors, directors, producers, screenplay writers or the soundtrack engineers? You simply can’t because art is always a huge part of the artist and vice versa.
If you scroll down any of my recent posts on this website, you’ll see that I always credit the artists who have shot the featured image on the footnotes of my content. I know it isn’t necessary. But I feel like it should be. It has to be. Because artists, no matter what kind of art they create, should be given the recognition they deserve for their work. It’s a simple gesture, but you have no idea how much it means to the artist to be given a simple ‘Thanks’ in return for somebody consuming their content.
Today, one of my friends recognized my artwork being used as a background image of an Instagram post and immediately alerted me. I have an account on Unsplash, and it allows people to download and use my images for their content. All I ask in return is to be credited for my work because I spend a lot of time creating my art. As far as I know, art is an extension of the artist and it just sits like a heavy stone on the heart when you see your art out there with no mention of you. I did end up making a new friend in the process, but that’s another matter altogether!
I appreciate people who deem my work worthy enough to be used as a featured image for their content. Then again, it’s an amazing way to help other artists out and put them on the map. It’s a way to bring attention to other artists as well. Personally, I always make it a point to mention the artists or my models because they’re just as much a part of my art as I am. It’s not a very difficult concept to grasp. Every artist, no matter how big or small, is equally important, and so is their art.
So the next time you come across somebody’s work, no matter how ‘free for all’ it is, take a minute to find out who the artist behind the art is. Try to do a little bit of research, which barely takes a minute using Google’s very handy Reverse Image Search feature, and thank the artist because they are a part of their work, and if you’re using their content, they’re a part of your work as well. It really isn’t that deep.
I know what I get myself into by uploading my images on public platforms. All I ask from those who use my content is to be recognized, or at the very least be mentioned by them, because every work of mine means so much to me. My artworks have always been very personal to me and I can assure you that it’s the same for every artist out there. So I don’t think I’m being unreasonable or extra for asking that my work be appreciated.
Here’s to all my fellow artists out there, I love you. I love that you keep creating and putting your soul out there. You all deserve appreciation for your art. This is something I have always been passionate about, and I have also been very vocal about it in the past, as I will continue to be. So if you’re reading this and you want to show solidarity to your fellow artists, make sure that you mention their names and if you can, link their social media handles, because that is the least we can do.
Respect art and the artists behind every single artwork, no matter how big or small. As people who consume art on a mass basis, this is the bare minimum we can do to make this world a better and kinder place to be in.
Give it a thought or two if you can, yeah?
Cheerio! Xx
Hey guys! I hope you liked this post. Let me know in the comments below or share with someone you might wanna show this to! You can also reach out to me and say ‘Hi’ on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
The Shubhster.
The Shubhster Diaries 
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