Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: Seeking criticism (are you asking for it?)

By: I’m glad this isn’t my EKG « MosaicMoods

I’m glad this isn’t my EKG « MosaicMoods — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:18:42 +0000

[...] think it’s a coincidence that the post was about a comment I left on Alyson B. Stanfield’s Art Biz Blog and the next day my stats spiked. This was and still is my biggest day [...]

By: Muriel Areno

Muriel Areno — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:16:07 +0000

In college, I had a printmaking prof who insited on in-depth critiques that had to be at least 50% positive. Sometimes, you really had to rack your brain to find something good to say, but it was an excellent exercise that has always stayed with me.
I am not given to sweeping statements anyway, but you can usually find something positive about a piece of art. As for my own work, I seek feedback from people whose opinion I respect, then I take it or leave it. Other artists can definitely give you a different view of your own work, and that’s a good thing. It keeps you from becoming complacent, as well.
I don’t ask for critiques from people who know nothing about art. It serves no purpose. I have friends who judge art solely on subject matter, which has to be “pretty”. I don’t ask them what they think of my work. Occasionally, when we come across a piece of art by a third party, I hear, “that looks like a 5-year-old did it”. I hide my irritation and don’t pursue it. Life’s too short.

By: Jennifer Phillips

Jennifer Phillips — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:48:31 +0000

Criticism comes with the territory folks. I don’t think any of us “seek” out criticism in the negative sorts… but, being artist’s we are bound to run into it in our careers.
It is so important to have a thick skin or even more so, to remember that NOT everyone will necessarily like our art. Or maybe NO one will like our art – does it matter? Create art, for artsake. Not for others.
Words I live by…
“My greatest enjoyment is, once I put the brush down and “show” someone the painting… it is no longer MY experience, but THEIRS.”
-Jennifer Phillips

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:22:46 +0000

Tara, I was taken aback by your comments:

“…I have found that the typical artist, no matter how humble in general, really has an ego as big as the sun!” and

“Some would still rather nurse their egos and call it “passion”!”

I think you should have stopped at “I am not an artist.”

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:11:19 +0000

Every artist has to follow a path to what feels right to them (you might say that art should be good, acceptable, technically proficient, marketable, etc but I don’t think that’s the point).

The process begins with a learning curve that can’t be skipped. Seeking out teachers (not the general public) during this learning curve can help the artist decide what THEY BELIEVE will help them towards their best self expression. They may choose to disregard standard, generic teachings and stretch for something else, something unique or even anti-art.

Once you reach a certain level with your art, I think it’s useless to ask for or react to criticism. Your path as an artist cannot be affected by “The analysis and judgment of the merits and faults of an artistic work.” This would presume that there are standards and practices that artists should follow and get scored on, that’s not true and it’s counter-productive.

How in the world would an observer know if your art were on the path to its zenith? If it was a pretty color? Or looked realistic?

So, no, I never ask for criticism. When I was learning, I had many teachers (artists I could study to decide my own path) but critics served only to de-motivate me. Now I am the best judge of what I create. That’s as it should be. The real question is “Who is art for, the consumer or the artist?” I believe it exists for self-expression. The viewer’s reaction is secondary and might be quite unfavorable. That doesn’t make it any less “art.”

By: David Lloyd Stewart

David Lloyd Stewart — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:04:58 +0000

I can definitely see wanting to get feedback from your audience – art is, after all, communication (or perhaps more accurately, the QUALITY of communication). That is one of the reasons I continue to participate in fairs & art markets where I can interact with customers directly, instead of selling only through galleries.

But asking for a critique is asking the viewer to TRANSLATE your art into verbiage, where the art loses every time. I definitely believe we must be open to feedback, but observing reactions from the public, firsthand, is all the “critique” I need to improve my work. In fact, I love it!

By: TracyWall

TracyWall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:18:43 +0000

My! What a discussion!
I can only speak for myself, but I like to hear how others interpret my work. Even from an “expert”, I may not take it as a “thumbs-up/thumbs-down” be all and end all. If there’s something I like about it, it stays! (Course I’ve never had an art critic comment on my work, so what do I know?) All I do know is I want to hear what others take from my work, so I can see if it’s close to the intend message.

By: Jo-Ann Sanborn

Jo-Ann Sanborn — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:55:13 +0000

If you have an open mind, you will learn something from almost everyone who comments on your work. It doesn’t mean you have to change it, or let it direct you in any way. Sometimes we get so close to our work that we don’t know what it’s saying to others. Asking and listening, and absorbing others reactions can deepen your satisfaction with a work, send you in a new direction, or show you things that you were missing. That kind of feedback is invaluable. You, as the artist, simply decide where to take it from there. Without comments, or critique if you prefer, there’s no dialogue about the art. Without that, what’s the point?

By: Tammy Vitale

Tammy Vitale — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:33:43 +0000

It isn’t fear of the unknown. Fear isn’t involved (at least for me). It’s a recognition that my art is what it is. What others think about it is an *opinion* no matter how much (if any) art training they’ve had. Why should someone else’s opinion about my work out rank my own opinion about my work? I’m with David Lloyd Stewart.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:59:27 +0000

Robert: I couldn’t agree more. Part of the process I use in The Relatively Pain-Free Artist Statement involves having a dialog with someone who isn’t familiar with art. You’ll learn all kinds of things!

Miriam: I wonder how an artist goes about separating themselves from their work. I’m just not sure that can be done. I hear it being offered as advice all the time, but I know that my business is personal and I couldn’t separate myself from it. I’m not able to advise artists how to do this. Would be interested in hearing how you do it.

Philip: Did you read “The Crit” chapter in Seven Days in the Art World? Great chapter!

David: Tell us what you really think!

Sheree: Interesting. Criticism serves different purposes at various points in one’s career.

All: I wonder if those who have learned art through a process involving crits are more open to them? Or, as with Sheree, less open to them? I wonder if there is a fear of the unknown from those who didn’t learn art in a formal environment.