The Art vs. The Artist (I Want to Believe in Heroes) 

Some good points here, Nandor!

My wallet decides...LOL...if the person has ripped off my friends, acted a fool to me, or done anything illegal in relation to comics or kids...my wallet clenches up like a Frogs butthole...

Great thoughts. I do think you have to factor in the financial aspect, though. If you know this artist is giving money to groups or causes that turn around and use that against you or those you care about, it's perfectly understandable how you may not want to put money into that. It's like paying to have yourself persecuted. No, you probably can't un-love works that you loved, especially if it became part of your own development. But does it make sense to continue to support, by proxy, causes which you are personally hurt or targeted by? You can choose not to continue supporting the artist without completely throwing out what you enjoyed -- that work just sits in a different place in your perspective. And that's nobody's fault. The artist is who they are. You are who you are. There are valid cases of irreconcilable differences. Just maybe choose your battles carefully. As you say, no one is perfect, and momentary lapses of judgment are worthy of forgiveness. We are quick to put people on pedestals, but maybe you have to take a longer look at people before you decide if you can support them. And that can go either way, but make an informed decision from a place of compassion. Might not continue to support one artist, but also might forgive others. Maybe just be kinder where there is room to be.

For me at least, a lot of the artists I have lost respect was due to their art getting corrupted. Instead of trying to produce art of meaning they produce a message and call it art.