outsider art thoughts

Outsider Art is the work produced outside the mainstream of modern western art by self-taught, untrained visionaries, spiritualists, eccentric recluses, folk artists, psychiatric patients, criminals and others beyond the imposed margins of society and the art market. Coined by Roger cardinal in 1972 the term in English derived from Jean Dubuffets's "Art Brut"-literally 'raw art', 'uncooked' by culture, unaffected by fashion, unmoved by artistic standards.

This is how Outsider Art: Spontaneous Alternatives (World of Art) (Paperback) by Colin Rhodes describes "outsider art." I always thought of it as simply art that was made by folks who weren't subjected to the homogenizing of Art School. I went to Art School because I wanted to make art. I was 'taught' to make art a certain way. I was not taught how to use materials to express myself. I don't recommend art school to anyone with talent. European/American old man Art school is not about expressing your inner visions, it is about being an ARTIST!! I loved my school, in most ways. I enjoyed the relationships I made with other artistic folk and I liked some of the things I learned, but in general, the whole idea was to lay out how to make good artsy art.
I think I'm against pretty much all generalized schooling. It's been people 'outside' who have always found the most amazing, important and outstanding progressions of humanity!!!

Wikipedia states: While Dubuffet's term is quite specific, the English term "Outsider Art" is often applied more broadly, to include certain self-taught or Naïve art makers who were never institutionalized. Typically, those labeled as Outsider Artists have little or no contact with the institutions of the mainstream art world; in many cases, their work is discovered only after their deaths. Much Outsider Art illustrates extreme mental states, unconventional ideas, or elaborate fantasy worlds. Outsider Art has emerged as a successful art marketing category (an annual Outsider Art Fair has taken place in New York since 1992). The term is sometimes misapplied as a catch-all marketing label for art created by people outside the "art world" mainstream, regardless of their circumstances or the content of their work.

So, I guess I better use a different term to describe what I'm talking about! Self-taught artists. But, weren't we all self-taught, just some went to Art college....Naive art sounds derogitory, and that is my point about capital A-Art schools and Artists. It's like career Politicians. You surround yourself with like minded individuals and of course your world view seems logical and right for all. Diversify baby, live!!!