ART: The Most Powerful Partner in DECEPTION.

We are in an age of profuse, ruthless deceptions. Deceptions made possible by powerfully equipped, DISREPUTABLE artists. You may have seen these cute Christmas ornaments advertised during an ongoing blitz on facebook- advertised by many different merchants. They want to sell these before you figure out the scam. I checked out the legitimacy of the first ones I saw advertised and the company got the worst rating possible on the Internet. Anyone who studies these ornaments will eventually discover that these are not what they appear to be, that is precious carvings of animals in tree knot-holes. Well, at least plastic castings of carvings of such. But the whiskers on the racoon give it away. No carving or cast plastic can replicate a single hair. These are cleverly presented PHOTOGRAPHS of carved animals in tree knot-holes.

Shoppers on Ebay have seen the ridiculous, colorful posters of Donald Trump praying or posing proudly with an eagle, or being blessed by Jesus, or even hugging him. These were unsettling, but the one with Trump and Jesus carrying high-powered rifles together are just sick. These are convoluted illustrations which appeal to the worst of our natures. Besides, Trump would not know how to shoot one, and Jesus will not need one when he returns.

I learned to be extremely untrusting a couple of years ago... after buying one of the few things I have ever bought from an ad on the Internet. An epic video told of a genius college student who had invented the answer to every homeowner's quandary... how to control mosquitoes. I ordered two. It took SIX MONTHS before they arrived, and they were just as the reviews, had I bothered to consult them, warned. They were absolutely worthless.

My wife and I have learned and often repeat: "The Chinese have learned, that it only has to LOOK like the thing you thought you were buying..." And these deceptions would not be possible were it not for talented and devilish artificers. Totally bizarre and outrageous lies can be made to seem natural and even desirable. There is nothing to stand in the way of Art becoming the chief agent of Satan as the the digital, "virtual" world overwhelms our culture. My art career is almost over, and I am glad. I will be ashamed to be called an artist as this trend continues, and dominates my field.