One of Life’s cruel ironies is the Paradox of the Artist.

Have you ever noticed how successful creators often sneer at their earlier works? John Lennon pops to mind.

That’s because a broad appeal to popular taste is necessary for wide acceptance and financial success. But great artists harbour visions that are anything but satisfying to the general public.

Consequently, once artists achieve commercial success, it is precisely that popularity which enables them to turn their backs on the work which made them famous. Now free to pursue whatever bizarre or fringe concepts that appeal to them, the artist focuses on creating work which is satisfying to the artist, and turns up their nose at their earlier creations which so delighted the public.

I used to enjoy a comic book produced in Canada featuring a cartoon aardvark by the name of “Cerebus”. Apparently, a lot of other people liked the book, because it sold very well and became a successful series. It was a work of genius, a sort-of Conan the Barbarian parody with an aardvark as the main character, and its episodic humour was inspired and entertaining.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the book devolved into nonsensical, meaningless pages of bizarre imaginings, as the artist, Dave Sim, expressed his inner soul. It was still genius, but unfortunately not very entertaining for the people who had so much enjoyed the earlier work.

Do you have a beloved artist whose work output has evolved to the point where you no longer find it entertaining? If so, drop me a line or leave a comment here. I’d love to hear what other people think of their favourite creators’ evolutions.