"UNITED WE STAND" by Sherie´ M.´Gipseefire´ Balko-Nation

I love this pic and agree with the concept^^ Its sad that people like Bear up there say they stand by their beliefs, but are too cowardly to leave an email address. Grow some balls, really! >.<

To the Artist....No matter what form of art you do or how you express you emotions...there is always going to be someone there that disagrees with what you are portraying. Someone that is there to criticize the message rather than observe the talent or the details that go behind an artist's skill. I know this from Voice of experience. We all have different ways of expressing emotions through art. For one person to force their opininon on you about what they believe is not a true artist or a true critic. This site is meant for people to offer suggestions for one to improve upon their skill. Never change you art because others want you to conform to their beliefs. The best art I've seen is one that strikes a collage of reaction. Great Job!!!

I don't know if we should be idolizing patriotism. What we are forgetting is that patriotism is a belief which runs on the hateful idea that one part of the world is better than all others; in a sense the same as racism or sexism. Since the beginnings of "civilization", this idea has caused the deaths of untold numbers of people (obvious examples are the ancient world conquerors and 19th century european imperialism). The whole world is united in grief, so what gives us the right to say 'thank you but I'm still betterm than you will ever be'. How am I better than, say, a Briton or a Frenchman. I'm not. The universe is big and we are only a small part of it, unknowing of what is out there. We are all human beings, nations are temporal. To truly stand united, we must abandon our differences and realize that no matter what we are all equals. patriotism is incompatible with world peace. To have an egalitarian world, we must have an egalitarian artwork. If war is necessary, fine. But what isn't okay is to boast about it and shout praises to the idol of war otherwise known as the "star spangled banner". Patriotism has done nothing to help the entire world in all of human history. It's only goal has been to justify the murderers of the ages, whether it was Alexander, Cyrus, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, or whoever. What would have been terrific picture was of firefighters searching for lives to save. Their actions were an example of humanitarianism, something completely different from patriotism. But the sword-weilding warrior, flag flying behind her, only serves all too well to represent the true import of patrtiotism.

Sherie' M.'Gipseefire' Balko-Nation replies: "Again...I feel I should explain myself... I'm not idolizing anything...This work is just raw emotions felt after what happened. It is human instinct to fight when attack. The warrior is myself with battles within. I have always considered myself a peaceful person but too many innocent people died and for no reason...just to make a point. The flag is a way of remembering those who died. (BECAUSE THEY WERE AMERICANS, that was their only sin)And Thank you is for those who went to help at WTC.AS far as Patriotism and the star spangled banner goes, every country has their tributes to their way of government and lives. But once again because we are AMERCIANS, YOU THINK, WE THINK WE ARE BETTER, YOU ARE JUDGING ME WITH THE SAME PREJUDICE YOU ARE ACCUSING ME OF. ONCE AGAIN, THIS WORK IS NOT ANYTHING OTHER THAN A WORK DONE WITH EMOTION. AS FAR AS THE FIREFIGHTERS GO, I'M WORKING ON SUCH A PIECE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT, FOR I DO APPRECIATE OTHER THOUGHTS...I DIDN'T DO THIS TO UPSET ANYONE...ITS JUST MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS AND I VALUE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU DO YOURS.ITS FUNNY...IN A WAY, HOW A FLAG FLYING CAN BE A SYMBOL TOO MANY PEOPLE, BUT ALL IN DIFFERENT VIEWS. YOU SAY WE MUST ABANDON OUR DIFFERENCES TO TRULY STAND UNITED...I SAY WE SHOULD ACCEPT EACH OTHERS DIFFERENCES AS GOD INTEND US TOO, AND THEN MAYBE WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AS EQUALS AND SHARE THE SAME COMPASSION AND LOVE THAT WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. HOW MORE BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL LIFE WOULD BE,AND INTERESTING AS WELL. ART SHOWS THAT WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT, IF YOU DON'T SEE THAT THAN YOU ARE IN THE WRONG LINE OF WORK. BUT AGAIN YOU ARE UNIQUE AS I AND THE NEXT PERSON WHO COMES ALONG.THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SEE A NEW VIEW, BLESS YOU AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE, MASKED LION."

This is stunning and full of emotion! It is so nice to come across someone with so much passion for what they believe in! I admire your skills and passion greatly!
As always your shading skills are great, and over all this is an amazing piece! God bless!

I find nothing wrong with US patriotism and offer my sincere condolances to those who lost loved ones on sept 11, one would think America has finally understood what it is to suffer mass pain and grief. At the moment it is taking an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth which will solve nothing. My own people have suffered for years at the hands of England yet the US, self acclaimed upholders of justice, did little to stop the bloodshed. But as I say, I have nothing against your picture.

America, is one of the youngest countries, and we have suffered through history as much if not more than most, our Civil War, the Native War, Pearl Harbor, life in general. Now Sept.11. Because we are Americans, doesn't mean we are all the same, we share a brotherhood of individualism. We have so many nationalities and religions but we for the most part have learned to get along and even love one another. I'm not saying we are perfect but we try to help when we can... no country is perfect and we can not do everything. I don't like War but unfortunately it seems to be part of history. Innocent lives are lost and that is what should keep us humble. No victory, should be celebrate, acknowledged yes. Please don't judge us all as the same. America is America, We have come along way. Even though we are at war, I've never been prouder of our soldiers for protecting us both abroad and at home. Its a shock to see people removing their shoes just to fly home for the holidays. Or see a plane used as a bomb. But my heart filled to my throat to see thousands of people trying to find miracles in the rumble, and to know that someone somwhere is crying because their loved ones are now gone. God bless us, help us find some reason for this insanity and find peace as its meant to be.Everywhere on earth. Merry christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.Lets try and find peace and love one an other. -The Artist

The american soldiers are really showing justice to those Afghan prisoners of war right now. Let the American people stand up to George Bush and take down the American flags where they fly over cruel prison camps, enough truehearts have died to disgrace it now. And as to the comment from mr. Bender above concerning e-mails, it wouldnt enter your mind that we all cant afford home modems and use communal one? we are not all well off. God bless America all the same- I know most of its people in true justice if somewhat led astray.

Indeed, we may not all agree on what we should do in response, or have the same opinions, the greatest freedom is the one permitting me to post this comment. I am not going to argue with anyone's opinion, because someone can just as easily argue with mine...
Let all that read this understand that I have nothing against the innocet people involved.

This is wonderful! I wish I had found this when it happend, it shows how many of must have felt and still feel. Keep it up!

Although my family is one of the oldest lines in the country, I couldn't like America less.

I recognize your artistic vision, but not the message. We're fighting the wrong enemies. Because of our compulsive meddling in the affairs of countries not our own, that didn't want our "help" to begin with (Vietnam, Cambodia, Iran, Somalia, Hondouras, and Colombia come to mind immediately.) we were struck back at.

We have no one to blame but ourselves, and a couple thousand Americans don't mean anything. There are millions more ready to step up and take their place.