This quote was sewn into the inside of the parkas worn by the 2002 Salt Lake Paralympics volunteers:

“The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part. Just as in life, the aim is not to conquer but to struggle well.”

                              --Pierre De Coubertin, 1937. (Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin was a French educator and historian, and founder of the International Olympic Committee. He is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games).

Even though the sentiment is obviously directed to the hard work, dedication and dreams of the Olympic athletes, it certainly applies to every walk of life. Even to that of artists.

“The art market is bad. Competition is enormous. Art isn’t valued. The market is flooded by assembly line art from China. Artists have to spend too much time with Social Media.” All of these statements may be true, but each only represents an obstacle over which an artist must struggle. What is the goal anyway? To sell or to create? That is the fundamental question.