The concept of "art" has evolved dramatically over generations, with much of what we now classify as art being closer to illustration when it was created. The distinction between individual mark-making as a financially rewarding and celebrated expression of a single person is relatively new; the notion of art as an industry is only a century or two old.
Informative, beautiful and deeply human: it's time to cheer the underrated art of illustration | Oliver Jeffers
- Thread starter TurboLogic
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Honestly, I think its kinda wild that we consider something like a 500 year old painting to be "art" now 
. Like, what even was it at first? Was it just some dude's doodle on a wall? When did we start valuing individual expressions like that? 
And why did it take us so long to figure out that art isn't just about making pretty pictures and stuff? It's like our concept of art has grown up along with us, you know? 
Now we've got this whole industry built around it, and its kinda cool to see how far it's come. But at the same time, I feel like sometimes its hard to separate what's truly innovative from what's just, well, popular 
. Like, what even was it at first? Was it just some dude's doodle on a wall? When did we start valuing individual expressions like that? And why did it take us so long to figure out that art isn't just about making pretty pictures and stuff? It's like our concept of art has grown up along with us, you know? Now we've got this whole industry built around it, and its kinda cool to see how far it's come. But at the same time, I feel like sometimes its hard to separate what's truly innovative from what's just, well, popular I'm loving this idea that art has been around for ages, but we didn't always value it like we do now . I mean think about it, most people back in the day were just drawing stuff to survive, not because they wanted to make money off it or get famous 
. Like my grandma used to do all those years ago, making these beautiful handmade cards and whatnot for special occasions. She didn't do it for the fame or fortune, she did it 'cause it brought her joy 
.
And now we've got artists getting paid millions for a single piece
... I'm not saying that's bad or anything, but it just blows my mind how far 'art' has come and changed over time. We need to appreciate the original reason people created art in the first place - because they wanted to express themselves! Not just for financial gain 
.
. I mean think about it, most people back in the day were just drawing stuff to survive, not because they wanted to make money off it or get famous . Like my grandma used to do all those years ago, making these beautiful handmade cards and whatnot for special occasions. She didn't do it for the fame or fortune, she did it 'cause it brought her joy .And now we've got artists getting paid millions for a single piece
... I'm not saying that's bad or anything, but it just blows my mind how far 'art' has come and changed over time. We need to appreciate the original reason people created art in the first place - because they wanted to express themselves! Not just for financial gain .
I mean, have you ever thought about how art has changed over time? Like, what we consider art now wasn't even considered "art" back in the day. It's crazy to think that people used to just be doing their thing, creating stuff, and it was never really seen as a big deal. But then, suddenly, someone gets paid for it and suddenly it becomes this huge industry? I think that's pretty wild. And what's even more interesting is how the way we talk about art has changed too. We've got all these fancy words like "expression" and "mark-making", but at the end of the day, it's still just stuff on a canvas or a screen. 
I don't know, maybe that's just me being cynical, but it seems to me that the fact that art has become an industry is kinda stripping it away from its original purpose. 
I'm loving this conversation so far 
! So I've been thinking about how people view "art" these days, and it's crazy to me that what we consider art now might not have been viewed that way back in the day... like, remember those old masters painting for centuries just to make a living off their craft? Now everyone's got an opinion on it being "art" or not .
I think it's awesome how our understanding of art has grown and evolved over time. I mean, take something like video games – they're basically interactive stories with incredible visuals and soundtracks... would we have considered them "art" a century ago? Probably not
. But now we see that gaming can be just as creative and expressive as any other form of art out there.
I love how this conversation is making me think about what makes something "art" in the first place... is it the skill, the creativity, or something else entirely?
! So I've been thinking about how people view "art" these days, and it's crazy to me that what we consider art now might not have been viewed that way back in the day... like, remember those old masters painting for centuries just to make a living off their craft? Now everyone's got an opinion on it being "art" or not .I think it's awesome how our understanding of art has grown and evolved over time. I mean, take something like video games – they're basically interactive stories with incredible visuals and soundtracks... would we have considered them "art" a century ago? Probably not
. But now we see that gaming can be just as creative and expressive as any other form of art out there.I love how this conversation is making me think about what makes something "art" in the first place... is it the skill, the creativity, or something else entirely?
omg u guys I cant even believe how fast art has evolved over the yrs like think about it, all those masterpieces we look at now were basically just doodles back in the day lol. and yaaas i totally agree that the whole industry thing is relatively new, my fave artist always says that what matters is the passion behind the work not how much $$$ u make from it . but seriously can u imagine if all those ancient Greeks or Romans were getting paid per brushstroke? they would've been like "meh I just drew some rocks" 
. anyway, i think its super cool that art has become more about expression and less about money. btw have u seen the new collection by my fave artist it's SO GOOD
like think about it, all those masterpieces we look at now were basically just doodles back in the day lol. and yaaas i totally agree that the whole industry thing is relatively new, my fave artist always says that what matters is the passion behind the work not how much $$$ u make from it . but seriously can u imagine if all those ancient Greeks or Romans were getting paid per brushstroke? they would've been like "meh I just drew some rocks" . anyway, i think its super cool that art has become more about expression and less about money. btw have u seen the new collection by my fave artist it's SO GOOD I've been thinking, have you ever stopped to think about how we got here? Like, where did this idea that someone's random mark-making is worth millions come from? It's crazy to think that like, 100 years ago, people weren't even making a career out of creating art. And now it feels like anyone with a decent camera and some software can slap their name on it and suddenly they're an artist. And don't even get me started on the state of art museums. Like, how many times have you walked into one of those places and seen a room filled with people staring at a single painting for like 10 minutes?
And that's just not that deep, right? I mean, is that really what we're celebrating now? The fact that someone was able to make some marks on paper or canvas that long ago... 
I feel like our culture has lost sight of what art is supposed to be about. It used to be about expressing something true and meaningful, not just making a quick buck.
I'm not sure I buy into this whole "art" thing changing over time vibe ... Like, sure, some things might have evolved, but at the end of the day it's still about creatin' somethin' new and expresin' yerself. I mean, take a look at all the amazing artists throughout history - they weren't just churnin' out whatever was trendy at the time, they were makin' somethin' real.
And what's with this idea that art has to be financially rewardin'? Can't people just make stuff for the sake of it anymore? I feel like we're losin' sight of why we started creatin' in the first place. It's not about gettin' rich quick, it's about expressin' yourself and sharin' that with others.
And yeah, the concept of art as an industry is pretty new, but that doesn't mean it's always been a good thing
. Sometimes I think we forget what art is really all about - just bein' creative and takin' risks. Not just makin' somethin' for someone else to make money off of...
... Like, sure, some things might have evolved, but at the end of the day it's still about creatin' somethin' new and expresin' yerself. I mean, take a look at all the amazing artists throughout history - they weren't just churnin' out whatever was trendy at the time, they were makin' somethin' real.And what's with this idea that art has to be financially rewardin'? Can't people just make stuff for the sake of it anymore?
I feel like we're losin' sight of why we started creatin' in the first place. It's not about gettin' rich quick, it's about expressin' yourself and sharin' that with others.And yeah, the concept of art as an industry is pretty new, but that doesn't mean it's always been a good thing
. Sometimes I think we forget what art is really all about - just bein' creative and takin' risks. Not just makin' somethin' for someone else to make money off of...I'm thinking about how art has changed over time . I mean, think about it - most art from like 100 years ago would be considered more like illustration today, right? It's crazy to think that what we now call art was once just one person's expression of themselves. And it makes sense that the concept of art as an industry is a relatively new thing...like, we're only talking about a century or two ago 
.
I feel like this says something about how our perceptions of what's 'art' have shifted over time. We've always had artists making stuff, but now there are entire careers and industries built around it
. It's interesting to consider that what was once just one person's passion project can become a huge business. But at the same time, does that change the way we experience art? Do we get lost in the commercial side of things rather than just appreciating the actual art itself ?
. I mean, think about it - most art from like 100 years ago would be considered more like illustration today, right? It's crazy to think that what we now call art was once just one person's expression of themselves. And it makes sense that the concept of art as an industry is a relatively new thing...like, we're only talking about a century or two ago .I feel like this says something about how our perceptions of what's 'art' have shifted over time. We've always had artists making stuff, but now there are entire careers and industries built around it
. It's interesting to consider that what was once just one person's passion project can become a huge business. But at the same time, does that change the way we experience art? Do we get lost in the commercial side of things rather than just appreciating the actual art itself ?omg, can you even believe how art has changed over time like literally, the whole concept of it has shifted so much! what's crazy is that most of the "art" we consider iconic and celebrated today was probably just some doodle back in the day . and get this, the idea that art can be a real job and someone can actually make money off their creativity? that's like, only been around for a couple hundred years . it's wild to think about how much our perception of what makes something "art" has changed over time. i mean, if someone back then was just messing around with some random marks on a canvas and they're now considered a genius... that's some crazy growth right there! 
like literally, the whole concept of it has shifted so much! what's crazy is that most of the "art" we consider iconic and celebrated today was probably just some doodle back in the day . and get this, the idea that art can be a real job and someone can actually make money off their creativity? that's like, only been around for a couple hundred years . it's wild to think about how much our perception of what makes something "art" has changed over time. i mean, if someone back then was just messing around with some random marks on a canvas and they're now considered a genius... that's some crazy growth right there! I mean, think about it... we're basically telling artists that their work isn't 'real' art unless it's been around for a while. Like, if my aunt made that painting 20 years ago and nobody knew about it until now, is she still a 'real' artist or does her art just magically become high-brow? It's like we're trying to retroactively give credit to people who were already talented in the first place. And don't even get me started on how this affects the younger generation - they're being taught that if their work isn't 'trendy' or 'Instagrammable', it doesn't matter how good it is, right? 
It's all about who's got the right connections and who's got the money to make a name for themselves. 
I think its wild to think about how far back our concept of art goes, ya know? Like, most of what we call art today was basically just some dude drawin' stuff and gettin' paid for it - that's not really the same as the art I see online now . And the idea that someone can just put their own name on a piece and be like "I'm an artist" is kinda crazy when you think about it... in the old days, artists were literally like craftsmen or somethin', they made stuff for people to buy and enjoy.
It's also pretty funny how we're only startin' to realize that art doesn't always have to be this super commercial thing. I mean, there are still tons of talented creators out there who aren't makin' bank off their work just because it's "art". It's like, can't we just appreciate someone's creativity for the sake of it?
. And the idea that someone can just put their own name on a piece and be like "I'm an artist" is kinda crazy when you think about it... in the old days, artists were literally like craftsmen or somethin', they made stuff for people to buy and enjoy.It's also pretty funny how we're only startin' to realize that art doesn't always have to be this super commercial thing. I mean, there are still tons of talented creators out there who aren't makin' bank off their work just because it's "art". It's like, can't we just appreciate someone's creativity for the sake of it?
I'm so done with the way we value 'art' today... Like, have you ever walked into a gallery and seen all these masterpieces that are literally just someone doodling on paper? And people are paying thousands for it? It's wild. I think about all the amazing artists out there who aren't getting the recognition they deserve because they're not 'commercial' enough.
And can we talk about how art is now an industry? It's like, we've lost sight of what art is supposed to be about - self-expression and communication. Now it's all about making a profit and keeping up with the latest trends. I mean, where's the innovation in that?
I wish we could go back to valuing artists for their craft alone, not just for how much money they can make off their work. We need more people advocating for artists who are pushing boundaries and taking risks, not just those who are playing it safe.
Like, have you ever walked into a gallery and seen all these masterpieces that are literally just someone doodling on paper? And people are paying thousands for it? It's wild. I think about all the amazing artists out there who aren't getting the recognition they deserve because they're not 'commercial' enough.And can we talk about how art is now an industry?
It's like, we've lost sight of what art is supposed to be about - self-expression and communication. Now it's all about making a profit and keeping up with the latest trends. I mean, where's the innovation in that?I wish we could go back to valuing artists for their craft alone, not just for how much money they can make off their work. We need more people advocating for artists who are pushing boundaries and taking risks, not just those who are playing it safe.
I think this is so true , you know like back in the day, artists were all about creating something beautiful just for the sake of it , without all the drama and hype that comes with being a "celebrity" artist now. And I'm not saying that modern art isn't amazing, but it's crazy to think about how much more commercialized it has become . Like, remember when Picasso was creating his masterpieces? He wasn't doing it for the money , he was doing it because he had to express himself.
And then there are these huge museums and galleries that have entire collections of modern art, showcasing "the work" of famous artists like Warhol or Pollock... but what about the people who actually created those pieces? Where's their story? Their passion? It feels like we've lost sight of what art is really all about – self-expression and creativity. I think it's time to give some love to the old-school artists who paved the way for us 
.
, you know like back in the day, artists were all about creating something beautiful just for the sake of it , without all the drama and hype that comes with being a "celebrity" artist now. And I'm not saying that modern art isn't amazing, but it's crazy to think about how much more commercialized it has become . Like, remember when Picasso was creating his masterpieces? He wasn't doing it for the money , he was doing it because he had to express himself.And then there are these huge museums and galleries that have entire collections of modern art, showcasing "the work" of famous artists like Warhol or Pollock... but what about the people who actually created those pieces? Where's their story? Their passion? It feels like we've lost sight of what art is really all about – self-expression and creativity
. I think it's time to give some love to the old-school artists who paved the way for us .I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole art thing . I mean, think about it - most of what we consider 'art' today was probably just some doodle back in the day... like, my grandfather's sketchbook from when he was a kid . And now everyone's got an opinion on it being 'good' or 'bad', but back then it was just something to pass the time.
And you're right, it's only relatively recently that art became this big business thing. I remember going to museums and galleries with my parents when I was a kid, and we'd look at all these fancy paintings and sculptures, and they'd tell us about the artist's inspiration and technique... now it just seems like people are in it for the money 
.
I guess what's interesting is how our perceptions of art have changed over time. When I was growing up, art was something that was taught in school, but it wasn't really 'cool'
. Nowadays, it's like everyone's an artist or a curator or whatever... and it's all just so... different 
.
. I mean, think about it - most of what we consider 'art' today was probably just some doodle back in the day... like, my grandfather's sketchbook from when he was a kid . And now everyone's got an opinion on it being 'good' or 'bad', but back then it was just something to pass the time.And you're right, it's only relatively recently that art became this big business thing
. I remember going to museums and galleries with my parents when I was a kid, and we'd look at all these fancy paintings and sculptures, and they'd tell us about the artist's inspiration and technique... now it just seems like people are in it for the money .I guess what's interesting is how our perceptions of art have changed over time. When I was growing up, art was something that was taught in school, but it wasn't really 'cool'
. Nowadays, it's like everyone's an artist or a curator or whatever... and it's all just so... different .i feel like this whole art thing has gotten really complicated . i mean, think about it - we've just recently started valuing individual mark-making over other forms of creative expression, like music or dance. and now it's all about who can make the most money from their art . what happened to just making something for the sake of creating something? where did this whole 'art as a business' mindset come from?
i know some people might say that the value of art has always been tied to its marketability, but i think that's a pretty shallow view. art should be about more than just making money off it. and yet, we're seeing so many talented artists struggling to make ends meet, while others are getting rich off their work . it feels like the concept of 'art' has become so muddled that it's lost its true meaning .
. i mean, think about it - we've just recently started valuing individual mark-making over other forms of creative expression, like music or dance. and now it's all about who can make the most money from their art . what happened to just making something for the sake of creating something? where did this whole 'art as a business' mindset come from?i know some people might say that the value of art has always been tied to its marketability, but i think that's a pretty shallow view
. art should be about more than just making money off it. and yet, we're seeing so many talented artists struggling to make ends meet, while others are getting rich off their work . it feels like the concept of 'art' has become so muddled that it's lost its true meaning .Art has come a long way, right? I mean, think about it - like, how many people used to just draw stuff for fun and not expect to get paid for it? Now we've got artists making bank off their work, and the lines between art and entertainment are getting all blurred. Like, is that even still "art"?
And you're right, the whole idea of art as a industry is pretty new, like, a couple hundred years old or something. I feel like we've been conditioned to think of art as this exclusive thing for "serious" people, but honestly, art has always been about self-expression and creativity, not just about getting famous or rich.
It's kinda refreshing to see some people pushing back against all that commercialization nonsense and just creating for the sake of it. Like, can we please just appreciate someone's art without trying to figure out how much money they're making off it?
I mean, think about it - like, how many people used to just draw stuff for fun and not expect to get paid for it? Now we've got artists making bank off their work, and the lines between art and entertainment are getting all blurred. Like, is that even still "art"? And you're right, the whole idea of art as a industry is pretty new, like, a couple hundred years old or something. I feel like we've been conditioned to think of art as this exclusive thing for "serious" people, but honestly, art has always been about self-expression and creativity, not just about getting famous or rich.
It's kinda refreshing to see some people pushing back against all that commercialization nonsense and just creating for the sake of it. Like, can we please just appreciate someone's art without trying to figure out how much money they're making off it?
"Art's been around for ages, but it's like we're just now figuring out what makes it worth paying people . I mean, think about it, most stuff people call 'art' today was basically just doodles when it first came out... how did that turn into a multi-billion dollar industry? "
. I mean, think about it, most stuff people call 'art' today was basically just doodles when it first came out... how did that turn into a multi-billion dollar industry? " I mean, think about it, art has always been around us, but we never really thought about it like this before. Like, who says that making a pretty picture automatically makes someone an artist? I remember seeing my grandma's watercolor paintings and being blown away by how beautiful they were. She didn't call herself an artist or anything. It wasn't until much later that we started to categorize what art should be like. I'm kinda fascinated by this idea of art as an industry now too... I mean, how did it even get to that point? Did someone just decide that if you're making something artistic, you must be selling it or getting paid for it? It's wild to think about the evolution of what we consider "art".
I'm all for giving credit where credit is due, you know? People get so caught up in what's "art" these days, but let's be real, some of this stuff has been around forever . I mean, have you seen those ancient cave paintings? Those were definitely considered art back then! And don't even get me started on the Renaissance masters – they didn't need all this fancy "art market" hype to know what was good .
I think we've lost sight of what truly makes something special. It's not just about how much money you can make from it or whether it's trendy, it's about the passion and skill that goes into creating it
. And let's not forget about all the "unknown" artists who were ahead of their time 
. We're just now starting to appreciate some of the masterpieces they created for pennies on the dollar!
. I mean, have you seen those ancient cave paintings? Those were definitely considered art back then! And don't even get me started on the Renaissance masters – they didn't need all this fancy "art market" hype to know what was good .I think we've lost sight of what truly makes something special. It's not just about how much money you can make from it or whether it's trendy, it's about the passion and skill that goes into creating it
. And let's not forget about all the "unknown" artists who were ahead of their time . We're just now starting to appreciate some of the masterpieces they created for pennies on the dollar!