I can’t even remember how many times I have heard people discussing art and bringing up which artist is "BETTER" then the other. Of course, one can often argue on sheer technical merit that one artist might draw more realistic architecture, or characters and such, but I argue that art should not be judged on sheer technical skill alone.

Good art, to me, has always been about EXPRESSION. When an artist has something to say with their work, whether it be through illustration or comics, it is apparent, and it gives a sense of depth and integrity to the work.

Oftentimes I talk with friends about art and explain to them that no matter how great an artist may draw or paint or write, it means little if they have nothing to say. Like screaming over and over but never actually forming a word that is intelligible to themselves or others.

Expression is impossible to judge. There is no "better" expression due to the fact that art is reactive, subject to the taste of the individual viewer. One man may be obsessed with cats, and in turn, he is greatly impressed by any artist who works with that particular subject. Being anime/manga fans, we have a prime example of that very case, in ourselves. The same can be said for a style, such as cubism, pointillism, photo realism, pop, abstract, impressionistic, etc. I have often seen more emotional charge in one stroke of a sumi brush in a calligraphic signature than in an entire superhero comic. :] This is not to say the sumi stroke was a better expression than the superhero comic, but to point out that they had different goals as artistic creations. It’s just something to think about the next time someone asks you which artist or piece of art you think is better @_@

What is YOUR goal as an artist? What are YOU trying to say with your work? Do you like cats? Anime? Post traumatic stress disorder? Let people get to know you through your art, show them your life and your individuality. The things you see. The things that interest you. Your dreams, your ideas. Your stories, no matter how dumb or unskilled we feel at times. There will always be an audience out there who will appreciate your work. Everyone has their own world. Art is just another language we can use to share it with others. - Taryn Daub (Webmisstress)

We start to talk

-Taryn S. NJ, USA