The modern world holds tremendous promise for the artist. The ways to create and to distribute paintings, photography, writing, music, film, etc etc, have never been more manifold or more effective. Also the teaching of the technical side is getting better and better. Computers and electronic communication makes time and distance far smaller problems than they once were. The only problem is that with all this wonderful technology so easily available, the creative side is easily forgotten.
Aesthetics becomes a matter of who can yell the loudest and fastest.
Creation becomes a problem of mechanics. And of course it isn't. It never has been, and never will be. Creation and beauty come from the heart and from the spirit. While technology and technique can be wonderful aids, they will stay mere tools, and will never replace the creator .