Small flashes in darkness

Funny; couldn't think of anything to write about today so I was casually browsing the Facebook albums of people who paint, sculpt or appreciate art and stumbled upon the album of a lovely lady in the US called Ellen who I always find has a fascinating quote or painting to offer for every moment. Looking through some great pictures, tending towards romantic figurative but also surrealist, modernist etc and suddenly I find myself looking at one of mine! Feeling so humbled and honoured as I realise how painting can creep happily into other people's lives and dwell there. The internet has made so much possible in terms of connection and appreciation. Sometimes I feel cynical and wonder if it will destroy itself in its own creative power; so many artists out there crying for attention and space... but this is really such a postive thing. I would have had no chance twenty years ago to be having a conversation with an artist halfway across the world and having my work seen all over it by countless people; it is a truly remarkable turn of events. I always wonder what the past generations of artists would have made of it... I feel sure they would have embraced the chance to reach out across the globe, it is innate in us to have that urge I think. There are few artists who do not desire to be seen, for their work to be admired. We may fear it, shy away from it or positively avoid it, but the desire is there all the same. I am pretty sure that I am not the only person who feels the need to paste their life to the wall but fear the reaction; wants to show the world what I have created, but feels daunted by the comparison to others. At the end of the day we are all unique and we all have our little space in the universe; not so much fifteen minutes of fame as a series of tiny flashes, like a strobe light in the dark.