Why Smart Artists Struggle & the 'Dumb' Thrive: Shocking Truths!

Free Artist Content Virality Checklist (+ Bonus 16th century checklist): forms.gle/wW8f5F9urbNqcxH28
🧐 Prepare for a jaw-dropping journey through examples of simple art raking in millions and learn how to harness the 'dumb artists advantage' for yourself.
📖 I'll share a story that perfectly illustrates 'the dumb artist advantage'. Picture an author, who, after years of sophisticated writing with little success, turns to creating a 'dumb' book as a joke. To his surprise, this simple book blows up, outshining all his previous works. We're talking about Erich Segal, a professor who wrote "Love Story". This raises a crucial question: Does the market really favor 'dumb' art?
🎨 Enter the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon, demonstrated through the rise of street art and artists like Banksy. From being seen as vandalism to fetching millions in auctions, street art's journey is a perfect example of this phenomenon. But why did Banksy become the face of this movement while other talented artists remained in the shadows?
🤔 The answer lies in simplicity and immediate understanding. Banksy's work, digestible in seconds, contrasts with more complex pieces that require time and thought to appreciate. This trend isn't just limited to art; it extends to architecture, literature, and more, reflecting a marketplace that favors easily consumable content.
🚀 But what does this mean for you, the intelligent, creative individual in today's marketplace? It's a call to adapt, to maybe 'dumb down' your creations, not because your audience is unintelligent, but because our consumption system is tailored for quick, simple content. The question is, should you adjust your art to fit this mold?
Join me as I explore this intriguing landscape, offering insights and a surprising checklist to navigate the art world of the 21st century. Let's delve into whether embracing simplicity could be your ticket to success. Remember, it's not about underestimating your audience; it's about playing smart in a fast-paced world. Let's get started! 🚀
Other links for the curious souls:
Website (under construction again):
driesketels.com/
TikTok:
/ driesketels
Instagram:
/ ketelsdries
Facebook:
/ driesketels.art
Love life, live love,
#DriesKetels #artists

[@driesketels]

Download the *Free 'Art Content Virality Checklist* ' so that you can demystify the strategies necessary to make great content. Meaning you'll never be jealous of 16 year olds getting more likes than you again. Grab it here: forms.gle/wW8f5F9urbNqcxH28

[@Wisef1sh]

My dude you'r hair making u looks like an a anima protagonist.

[@driesketels]

Yeah I know... strange since I literally don't even use shampoo or anything so...

[@AngelaKSellsHomes]

Thank you for the checklist!

[@darklittlepeople]

to my great delight, and somewhat ironically, really, your video to me is the much needed breath of fresh air, because it is very smart, thoroughly researched, provides evidence, and delivered very organically - the complete opposite of the horrible sterile videos that are all the rage, and also not one of those "artsy/pseudo-intellectual" ones which look like some pretentious student's video essay... i hope many many people will give your work the recognition it fully deserves. in other words, your work in this video is rich and profound, it really stands out from the overwhelming mediocrity of 99% of the content i feel bombarded with, and i am VERY GRATEFUL.

[@justinesimone5343]

My cousin started doing vandalism on the outside of subway cars and public walls. He became famous and now grown up his art is very valuable grafitti!

[@sweetie4915]

You are both an artist and philosopher, thank you for all you do and do keep up the good work!

[@driesketels]

Thank you! Will do!

[@duncanhewitt6557]

Art that you look at for five seconds can be forgotten in five seconds.

[@driesketels]

Art that you don't look at can be forgotten without even trying

[@r.bee8733]

both valid

[@anony5021]

​@@driesketelslmao

[@godschildyes]

Lol. I guess so, if it's not good art. 😅

[@ShirleyWilliamsArt]

You've brilliantly expressed the trend I've been watching for years. As a full-time contemporary painter for 30 years, I've seen a huge change in culture and people generally. Social media has made everyone numb. I think it's the reason most artists I talk to dislike social media (unless they're under 25). They can clearly see that what is considered "good art" now is all about marketing the superficial. As artists, we can either join in and "dumb down" as you say, or turn our backs and stay alone in our studios.

[@driesketels]

That's a very powerful advantage that you have there, being able to observe the market for over 30 years. Whish I was at that point. Wish you well and thanks for the comment Shirley

[@nellyx1x493]

I have been a painter for the same period of time, academically trained, and I think you are absolutely correct. So much checkbox art with no soul gets a baffling amount of attention when reduced to a backlit 2 inch thumbnail.

[@anony5021]

Thing is you can create both easily digestible and complex. It only adds variety

[@nellyx1x493]

@@anony5021 I disagree, I would argue that if one is making work to be easily digestible for an audience, producing for people what one thinks they want - in a way that overrides the artists core creative enquiry. Then this is the point at which one stops being a genuine artist in a true sense, and turn into something else. That's fine for some, but lots of artists get this wrong at the ultimate expense of their integrity. Too much focus on superficial appearances on social media seems to too easily facilitate this slide for many.

[@anony5021]

@@nellyx1x493 what if the artist is into multiple styles and doesn't identify as any. For some these are just labels

[@kreepfaktory1133]

You're correct, but this notion makes me incredibly sad. I've suspected these things for a while but never had it summarized in one place quite so well. Also, I got a laugh that you have created a checklist of 25+ things to consider in order to make your artwork appealing to a rock. Only a genius would do this. 😆

[@driesketels]

Oh the checklist is pretty cool, especially the 16th century one... It's very funny if you think about it and strangely educational.

[@deva190]

Never thought about it before this video but now I see. People demand easily digestible things, including art.

[@driesketels]

Happy to have made a positive impact. Small insights lead to big shifts over time. Keep up the momentum!

[@driesketels]

"momentum"... hahah, that sounds very cringe, almost like I'm a basketball coach or something.

[@michellejaeandrews4799]

Ken Done, Australian artist, achieved massive fame in Australia in the 1980s with his simple, colourful designs. He tapped into how wanted to be perceived at the time: happy, fun and friendly. Ken Done was capable of quite traditional work but chose to simplify.

[@Buffenmeyer]

I haven’t seen one of your videos in a while. You’re an extremely engaging individual, and your hair just keeps getting better and better. Stay free!

[@ManjigumiVirus]

as a consumer and artist this feels true.

[@alb1009]

to reduce a story to a symbol with high visual impact and one that translates easily, is the opposite of dumb, it is talent and skill some might say even genius. The process of concentrating vast and complex notions such as war and peace, (witch you could talk about for hours, days , yrs even, and ppl have written and still write about these very complex topics that you call "simple"...) is a skill that is taught in art schools, graphic design deals with it in relation to logo making, poster works, even in illustration and I'm sure other arias that are not coming to me right now. The blind leading the blind is also a symbol a visual metaphor, the fact that is much more detailed does not necessarily enhance the message, it's just the visual language of that time.

[@carrikartes1403]

This helps explain the explosion of pour paintings in social media. Pleasing colors and patterns with absolutely no meaning.

[@OutsiderArtist]

This man Dries Ketels has a lot of insight, and great ability to articulate and explain. Real good. His videos are worth revisiting every now and again. 🙂😵‍💫😯

[@NeptunesHorses5909]

This also explains the eternal appeal of technically accomplished genre art.

[@annavernick1490]

Hiya Dries, looking forward to comparing the lists! I love the ideas you develpo, so curious, inteligent and kind. Thank yoiu.

[@driesketels]

Oh thank you! I will send them this evening I assume. If I don't forget or become to lazy later this day... Either way you will receive them for sure.

[@mel_mckinnon]

This makes so much sense, thank you!

[@JuvenalMaze]

This way of thinking is a must for any type of creative, great delivery!

[@driesketels]

Glad you think so!

[@dcarbs2979]

I remember the stat in the 90s, that even then it took a very short time to absorb the same amount of data as the lifetime of a medieval person. Can't remember if it was an hour, week, or day. Either way in the last pre-internet years of the 20th century, we would experiience many lifetimes' worth of data compared to a medieval person. It's exponential now.

[@driesketels]

It's unbelievable for sure. The kind of stat that keeps me amazed

[@earthempresstv]

whoa! eye opening! I'm amazed and grateful for your insights and knowledge! I didn't know about the CLT but intuitively I have been streamlining and de-cluttering my posts and offers... it's working! TY :)

[@driesketels]

Glad it's working for you! Keep up the good work! consistency will win

[@MsCaleb79]

I have noticed that the more older I get, the more dumb I become. That’s nice I can see a future

[@carlocatalano9662]

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication LEONARDO

[@Elizabeth58886]

Thank you for sharing your observations. Lots of good for thought.

[@wipjenni]

Once again your entertaining and informative video has given me a nice little chunk of takeway. Thank you! I can't dumb down my art (even though many traditionalists (as well as almost all dissatisfied artists would call it garbage) because then it truly wouldn't be *my* art. My symbolism may be crude at times (and I certainly utilize sarcasm and mockery in my narratives in even my most silly and serious works), but what I produce is intended to inspire questions in the viewer, and ideally, draw them into the story - getting into *why* I did what I did and how it *might* relate to them. But what I can do, is present parts of my work in more easily digestible snacks, that would hopefully serve as appetizers. Sorry about all the food references, it must be because you burned your protein and veg. 😁

[@driesketels]

Don't worry about the food references. I think you totally got it. Nothin wrong with some digestible snacks that serve as appetizers.

[@BigChinaski]

As a dumb artist, I gotta say, your hair is on point.

[@voolfga]

Thankyou for inspiring me to get started again,,,, love your videos, great work man 😎👍

[@stephanieburgess74]

I really enjoyed this!! Thank you.

[@anony5021]

Great analogy,🔥

[@MikeRLloyd73]

Popular art is mostly mediocre

[@martagilvazartlife]

Very good points Dries, Banksy's mystery is the allure, his art is of clear visual language thus directly connecting to the quiet "rebellion /pacifist", others still allows for more interpretation as you've mentioned, stay well

[@driesketels]

Thanks. His mystery is definitely very powerful, not sure how to recreate that yet or if that's even possible on something like KZbin.

[@paulwoodford1984]

Banksey doesn’t exist. It’s just a jumble of many street artists.

[@martagilvazartlife]

@@paulwoodford1984 feasible

[@Artinsane]

Yes your right great video❤

[@driesketels]

Thank you!

[@tinychopsticks]

after filling your form, your checklist didn't get delivered to my email. Any one else had this problem?

[@HumanMadeGlobal]

Great Analysis! 😎👍

[@GSTAR999.9]

Hi Dries Jerome here i'm new to your channel...but i must say your advice is Powerful and inspiring...i'm an artist ever since...i wanted to give up art to be honest,for years i didn't do anything...but you inspired me to pick myself up and move forward and do what i do best...and be the Artist who i want to be....thanks Dries...God Bless🙏Salute🫡

[@Moe-zo4fm]

You are really helping me Thank you

[@driesketels]

Happy to help

[@chuckeelhart1746]

Awesome. Thanks

[@driesketels]

You're welcome!

[@godschildyes]

Hahaha! 😂 You are so funny and informative! I just Love You! 🎉

[@amiriboykin]

Can you explain why you used a basquiat painting to illustrate an example of “dumb art”?

[@corneakkers]

Dank je Dries, heel instructief. Het verklaar veel waarom ik minder verkoop dat 'dommer' werk.

[@Wunderhof]

Brilliant 👏👏👏

[@driesketels]

Thanks for watching

[@samstruys3088]

Deprimerend maar waarschijnlijk ook wel waar. Als 50- jarige vrouw is dit nog deprimerender. Wou dat er mentors bestonden voor mensen zoals ik. Blijf videos maken en vooral, blijf er plezier in hebben.

[@Antigone-yp6ht]

Hola, Dries. This is sad. Doesn't seem to matter anymore about real talent. Everything is dumb down.

[@2ndpersondancing]

People who had/have the luxury of time to talk about a painting for hours are few. Besides, have you ever eavesdropped on the lack of depth in some of those conversations? Wealthy ≠ Smart

[@cfttify]

Alot of truth in this 🌿 nah t check list 🎉

[@driesketels]

check list is coming. I haven't written the mail for the list yet but it's coming for sure.

[@SeekAndYeShallFindGod]

So abstract art keep it simple with less shapes and such? More minimalistic? I'm in trouble cause I'm obsessed with detail and filling up the painting

[@borismelchior6293]

That's the reason why artists and art works of the past centuries go and live across the centuries, cause they were profound, complex and full of deep meaning. I mean, who today don't know Beethoven, Picasso or even Socrate's works ? We all know them, and what's insane, is that these guys lived hundreds of years before us. But what's surprising today, is that the present artists who create arts, are easily forgotten across the years, along with their art works. Simply because art today, is so vague and empty in meaning, compared to the one (pure art) of the past centuries. As time goes by, arts is been diluted. And the main reason is, our world has become a one of distraction. We're so so distracted with useless things. We need more focus, so as to renforce our connection to God the source, the Divine, the main source from which all masterpieces come to life.

[@dolphinboy9717]

wish it, want it, do it - brian griffin

[@Elena-Studio]

Ihave complained abiut the stupidity of modern architecture. It all looks the same and thebcity has no story! With old architecture, each city had a story with how the architecture was built depending on the location, people, etc. Its so discouraging to see how history is being wiped out for cubicles.

[@driesketels]

History being wiped out for cubicles. I like the way you said that. Very concise, very powerful.

[@2ndpersondancing]

Since we're talking architecture, may we also ask our buildings to be useful, elegant, AND not overwrought with materials?

[@AlanaJ_888]

Also Banksy is just a street art version of Demian Whatever, cause he basically ripped off Blek Le Rat. Love your videos thank you!

[@brannonmcclure6970]

I see. But, what good is the money as an artist; if the artist is not as solid as his or her art?

[@2ndpersondancing]

Simple ≠ dumb. Banky simplifies. Perhaps similar to how difficult it is to 'play dumb.' Maybe someone else can take the baton and riff on my comment. To ELI5 (r/explain like I'm five) requires such clarity of thought, purpose, and intent. ❤

[@3pix]

... Pop! And stand popular among population ... for 15 mins (; this viral phenomena came from 'theater'

[@driesketels]

What do you mean with from Theater?

[@artbydelao9028]

To have Basquiat’s piece as a reference to “dumb art” is INSANE. He’s a legend. Why not post a shitty “artist” like brainwash or Alec THOSE ARE DUMB ARTIST/ART but Jean Michel!!!’

[@driesketels]

I love Basquiat, I also think he's a legend but... would you call it 'smart art'? Why?

[@darklittlepeople]

come to think of it, if therre were an EMP, and we were all suddenly left with no internet and no screens, so many people (myself possibly included, most certainly if i'm stuck away from home and my books, tarot decks, and art supplies) would be jumping off cliffs rather than having to face the utter BOREDOM of the hic et nunc - 🤣 sorry, i had to throw in a bit of latin, the idea just made me laugh, - what i meant is simply the reality of the moment and place we are (stuck) at, including any people we might be (stuck) with (😱 eeeeeek)

[@LiliTilt]

Did he just call Basquiat dumb? 🤧

[@homan_nkwama]

Am the first to coment from EAST AFRICA TANZANIA...YEEEEEH

[@driesketels]

Congrats. Have a great week

[@homan_nkwama]

@@driesketels oooh real thankss

[@petarpranjic2344]

LETS GOO

[@edwardduarte7393]

warhol...

[@Qwijebo]

All to do with marketing. Banksy became big because of marketing.

[@ESousa-dn4vs]

It sounds bad having "dumb" and "art" in the same sentence

[@Antigone-yp6ht]

Brilliant lecture, Dries. You still cute, too.

[@bobdooly3706]

Smart artists are making paintings.

[@kascade9145]

❤ Who is Banksy ?

[@driesketels]

Street artist. He's pretty famous.

[@kascade9145]

@@driesketels . So famous nobody knows who he is 🤡🤯🥶🍾

[@petersavieri]

“The medium is the messenger” is a miss quote, and a pointless tautology. Crucially, the Marshall McLuhan statement is “The medium is the MESSAGE”.

[@RandyL.Roberts-qn3lw]

Your premise is testament to the demise of critical thinking, which leads to all sorts of Bad, fill in the ( blank).

[@sarahmottramart]

Ok, so ones work needs to be understood in 5 seconds or less.

[@mudheromedia]

Yeah calling banquet dumb art and a generic flower painting smart is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard.

[@garyjcampbell2058]

In what way could 16thc marketing been actioned thru books? Books were only just starting at that time. Only religious books were clearly illustrated and 90% of the population couldn't read. The concept of marketing didn't exist in the modern sense, markets were just fruit and veg being sold in the street. This lad makes some good points but some of it is badly researched bullshit. Bruegel's paintings have survived till today because they were bought or commissioned by wealthy church clerics, then bought by art dealers and later sold to state owned galleries, where they remain. Bruegel was not trying to market, just creating his own world. Some paintings are admired by art academics and people who think that a painting has to be 'realistic' looking to be successful. This, because 'craftmanship' is the only criterion they have for judging art. What makes an artist successful in their career is to do with art dealers' ability to recognize what might generate profit. For the art which is purchased by state galleries it is the intellectual quality of reflecting contemporary culture that breaks the deal. The stance that this youtuber is extoling is a reflection of how in this society everything, and I mean everything is for sale. Revolting Americanization of life direction. Andy Warhol successfully caricatured this concept in his art. Damien Hirst has picked up on this concept somewhat. Unfortunately, because of advancement in media technology, everything is opinion now, we lost the facts.

[@Steve_1969]

I'm sorry don't agree, dumbing down art for the dumb masses is not the way to go LOL Absolutely Not!....If Michelangelo heard you say that he would smack you out ! lol

[@thisismyfakeyfakeaccount]

I think he's specifically talking about making money from art

[@hannumfineart]

Banksy is terribly boring

[@theexistentialist.5530]

Agreed , but worse is people who copy his style 🤮🤢

[@sondradupree8709]

Majority of artists are wasting their time.

[@thisismyfakeyfakeaccount]

Why

[@sondradupree8709]

@@thisismyfakeyfakeaccount ..because artists are dime a dozen. In China they have painting factories where thousands of artists churn out paintings on canvas. In Australia where thousands of Aborigine people churn out beautiful Dot Paintings. on canvas . Majority of Western " wannabe " artists are competing between themselves . Thus the world art market has been flooded.

[@thisismyfakeyfakeaccount]

@@sondradupree8709 i wouldn’t say the art factories are anything similar original and trained artists ..