RE: Art Criticism

This is a bit of a rant.  Fair warning.  It's my opinion, and should be taken as such. 

What got me heated this morning was hearing from a fellow artist the hurt they were feeling after people who's opinions she respects criticized her art.  And not from a constructive stand point, but from a judgmental stand point.

Art is subjective.  Not everyone likes every piece that every artist does.  Have you ever walked through a museum and thought ill of a piece of art?  That's your right... it's your opinion.  You personally have the right not to like an artists work.  But if you write off an artist, assuming if you don't like one piece... you won't like any of it you might be severely limiting yourself.  Maybe you're being short sighted.  Maybe their work isn't for you.  There's no law that says you have to like something for it to be art.

This is kind of a hot button issue for me.  I, for most of the years of my life, allowed the criticism of others to stop me from finding my way as an artist.  It wasn't until 3 years ago that I started to let go of the need for approval.  I'm still figuring out who I want to be as an artist.  And I don't need the world to jump up and down at the sight of my paintings.  Granted... some day, I would like to be able to sell my work.  I received a lot of support from a very close friend, who is also an artist that I admire, and that was what made me finally let go and be free with my art.  To create for me.  And what I found was, once I let go and started creating for me... other people did like my art.  I received offers to buy pieces I had done.  I'm still learning.  I never want to stop learning.  It's an on-going living/learning process.

So to anyone, who might see someone's art and want to comment - Please know this.  Art is very personal to the artist.  We're putting our insides, on the outside for the world to see.  It isn't about being thick skinned.  As an artist, you feel like you have no skin.  Nothing to protect you from what people say.  Even comments that might seem harmless to you... may be extremely hurtful to the artist. 

Don't be hurtful to people who are following their dreams.  Perhaps... instead of pooping on someone else's dream... you should find the courage to follow your own. 

Stepping down off my soapbox, for today anyway.