I’m not sure that there ever was much purity of purpose and commitment to creativity but I would certainly like to think so.  I actually believe that many of the artists in the past that we consider great today were driven by true passion and determination to excel at what they did.  Today, in a transition that began a few decades ago, it is certainly not nearly enough for an artist to make great paintings or sculptures.  The artist must do much more that create. They cannot simply stay in their studio, work until their brain hurts, and accomplish what used to be heralded as creative and as a result gain some small or large measure of notice by their peers and dealers.  In this info world they have to market themselves. I believe that their skill in this area has to be almost as good – and more likely better – than their art.  It also seems that with all the social media available to the public…many believe that they have the opportunity to be famous…even if only in their own mind.  Most may be able to do one or two things that may be considered relevant or inspired but not many have the  ability to sustain their creativity over a period of time.  Longevity and consistency is a mark of success that only dedicated hard working talents can achieve.  The proliferation of so much mediocrity and the availability of such to an ever present mass audience begins to blur the lines and to confuse as to what really is of substance.   In the long run this phenomenon is leading to a much lower level of creativity and the available art, whether visual, audio or other, is suffering.  This is current reality and whether good or bad, right or wrong, it is changing the one thing we have in common with out Creator God…the ability to create!!!