I recently watched the Drew Struzan documentary,
to which I have linked, above, and was surprised to learn from the artist
himself about his having suffered abuse at the hands of his own family. This
reminded me of my own experience with ‘familial matters’ several years ago when
my brother’s festering, carbuncle-of-a-grudge boiled over and spewed its
venomous pus in every direction.
Here’s a ‘pull-quote’ from a letter he wrote to
me:
“Just in case you're curious, here is my
opinion: Being a full-time artist is not a right. It isn't even a privilege. It
is a luxury, a luxury you cannot afford, and thus others are forced to shoulder
your burdens.”
I ask: How can any rational person claim to have
an exclusive right to pursue the dream of fulfilling his own calling, to the
exclusion of anyone else pursuing said dream?
My answer: Only that individual who thinks his
fleeting hold on success is at best tenuous, a weak and selfish person who
feels threatened by any other individual seeking the very same fulfillment of
making a successful living doing what he loves doing.
I still marvel at
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-Mark’s sudden insistence that I should altogether
abandon my career as a fine artist, illustrator and sculptor, and immediately
take up making a living, “…waiting tables.” The scolding tone of his letter and
condescending attitude toward me are both indicative of a self-righteous
individual who believes he owns an exclusive entitlement to the fine art
profession, of one who must denigrate his own brother -- eliminate the
competition, if need be -- so that he himself no longer feels threatened by the
one person who can not only do what he does, but can do it better in every way.
For this and various other invective hurled at
me for the sole purpose of inflicting pain, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-Mark has
proved that he is a very small man, a very selfish man who is hell-bent on
destroying anyone he feels might diminish his inflated sense that he is the
‘top dog.’ What a hypocrite.
Finally, I have found a kindred spirit in a
brilliant and humble man named Drew Struzan.
“Set sail in your dreamboat and live the life
you've imagined.“ - Me
