On a recent visit to “Master Pieces of the Louvre” I learned quite a bit about how art was practiced back in the day. Parents would send their children to study with a master who was in a guild. These children would apprenticeship under their masters for years and years, until they were deemed ready to pioneer on their own. Holding down a day job, these once apprentices would refine their skills, as well as gather and make materials for their own art. After working for so long, they would present a masterpiece to the guild, in an attempt to be accepted as a master. If their work was deemed appropriate, they could then take on apprenticeships of their own, and live in the guild itself.
What is accepted as a masterpiece can be discarded the very next day. Much of this acceptance process relies on what is currently popular, or expected from artists of the time. Most artists are forgotten. If their work is appropriate, it soon will not be, and if it isn’t, the artist’s work may gain in popularity should the tastes of the general public shift towards their style. It is a game of on and off, hot and cold. Of course, there are outliers to this observation. Picasso, Rembrandt, and others among this category have persevered throughout the ages.
While the qualifications for being accepted as a master changed quite often, there were basic guidelines that were adhered to. These guidelines still exist even though the practice has changed immensely.
A masterpiece is a manifesto of individual genius. It clearly displays movement, expression, and engages the emotions. It reveals truth. It is a labor of faith to your art, and demonstrates all knowledge of skill from the artist.
Considering that there are many artists who may never be accepted as masters in this day and age, even though they clearly demonstrate the above qualities in their work, I find it pertinent that all who are dedicated to creating and expressing themselves --- do it for themselves. By this, I simply mean continue making your art to further yourself, and not for any level of public appreciation of financing.
Now I bring myself into the mix. I am an apprentice. Not to any one individual, but to the experience of living. I am observing the world around me, and taking detailed notes, as well as consistently expressing my vision through photography. I’ve been working with relatives, friends, and mostly my own thoughts, in pursuit of that master titleship. The reason I chose now to create this artist statement, is because I feel as if, soon I will be presenting my masterpiece. It will be shown in the form of a series of photographs, which will be taken over the length of the coming summer.
Under the name of David Rin, I will pursue all faucets of photography, and potentially restore my faith, as well as others, in the photographic image of the new century. I require less validation day by day, and am finding answers for myself at a blinding pace. The series of photographs that will act as my masterpiece will not be numerous images of the abandoned kind, or hasty portraits of my fellow friends, but instead, the execution of a well thought out concept, that displays well, the intangible desire of my subconscious.
The very idea has me somewhat frightened and struggling with how to possibly achieve such a lofty goal. I maintain faith though, with the understanding that I am ready.

Deviant Art, as my work platform, will continue to see varied tidbits as I take them of course.