6 Techniques For Handling Criticism

CarlyHardy · #1 07-14-2003, 11:48 PM

Gradiva!
Thanks so much for writing this article about handling criticism. How many times have all of us found ourselves in a group with everyone giving opinions and we sort of feel swamped by all the comments! Thanks for the tips on how to handle a situation like this and how to create our own positive attitude toward critiques.

Looking for the article? Read it here -

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/558/343/

and then be sure to add your comments or questions by clicking on the link at the end of the article.

carly

pero lane · #2 07-15-2003, 09:48 AM

Really enjoyed this article...thanks for posting it! I did a new peice that I worked really hard on ...2ft X3ft the largest I'd ever done and I thought it was really good! Brought it to my gallery/gift shop owner to be displayed in the Louisiana Purchase celebration July 4th weekend as she was having a temporary gallery at the festival. Her exact words when I unwrapped it...." That is the ugliest thing I've ever seen and you are NOT hanging THAT in My shop! Why the he** are you painting pictures of a bunch of drunk mexicans anyway? " Well, besides the racial slur which I think was detestable... It really did something to my brain as I've not really painted since. I've tried but it's all bad to me. I guess it'll pass. So hurtful & discouraging to be treated this way!
Again thanks for the article...I see now that maybe I should just blow off her comments.

Paintonbrush · #3 07-15-2003, 12:00 PM

Pero ;-(
what a S**i* woman.......I love that painting.....!

circular · #4 07-15-2003, 01:24 PM

It is amazing how people can be so insensitive. I am sorry to hear you had such a response to your work. People just don't seem to realize how much when we create we pour our heart and soul into it.
Don't let one person blindness stop you the problem lies with them not with you.

Peace.....Circular

O'Connor · #5 07-15-2003, 02:46 PM

Nice article, thanks.
Personally, I treat the art of others as I do the children of others.
There's no denying there are some homely kids out there, but how rude would it be to blurt out "Holy cow! Your kid is UGLY!"
If people ask my opinion ("Do you think he's short for his age?", "How can I get her to stop repeating 'No!' when I tell her something?") then I will share with them the benefit of my experience (and perhaps some opinion), carefully phrasing what I say to be helpful and constructive, with hope for the future, and without being harsh or derogatory.

artbabe21 · #6 07-15-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by O'Connor
Nice article, thanks.
Personally, I treat the art of others as I do the children of others.
There's no denying there are some homely kids out there, but how rude would it be to blurt out "Holy cow! Your kid is UGLY!"

It IS a good article.....and O'Conner I just love what you said...'treat art of others as children of others'...a good thought for feelings ARE everywhere AND what the heck was that gallery owner thinking when he said that to you Pat? Don't let it getcha down...PAINT...don't let anyone take it away from you!!

Foxyheart2002 · #7 07-15-2003, 08:09 PM

Excellent article! I especially like the part where your very own opinion is the indicator of a good piece of art.

I like realistic paintings, and I will always tell others that. I am not much into abstracts, but sometimes they catch my eye. I may see a piece that I think is terribly ugly, but that is in my eye, not the eye of those who like abstracts. So I have found you have to consider the source.

Pero, I would love to see the art you are talking about. NO painting is absolutely ugly (unless you show me a Picasso, lol.) Is there anyway to view your painting?

Sue

madster · #8 07-15-2003, 09:49 PM

What about those who post, and ask what people think? And then, when given less than "Oh, that's SO fabulous" type comments cry that they are being unjustly persecuted, and want to give up and run away???

A few months back someone posted a "collage" that, quite honestly was BAD. It was neither a collage, nor well constructed, nor esthetically uplifting. I 'honestly' stated what the shortcomings of the piece were, as well as provided NUMEROUS links to how to collage/montage, as well as examples of 'good' collage and sites specifically focused on collage/montage. The individual in question was SO offended, they cried (in the Forums, mind you) that they would QUIT even attempting to create anything, and that they just couldn't stand the criticism, etc., etc., paying absolutely NO attention to the constructive directions of assistance offered...after a few back and forth posts, the individual finally agreed that they would not post images for critique due to their inability to accept ANY criticism, regardless of how well intentioned, or educationally directive it may be.

I'm sorry, but if you post ANY thing you have created in ANY type of PUBLIC forum, such as WC, or your local street corner, you have to be able to accept the fact that it may not be perfect, and you may be told as much...if you can't do that, then keep the stuff hidden in your closet until after you die, others find it, and then critique it for good or bad.

If you post your work for ANYONE else to see, you have to be able to comprehend that you will then receive their opinions. That is NOT to say to ignore them if you don't agree with the blanket "well, I like it that way". Cool, then you go ahead and enjoy it, and spare the rest of us who don't agree.

There was a study done with kids where one group was praised beyond compare, no matter how bad their efforts were, and another group that was given honest criticism. The first group was proven to be LESS able to function in the real world, because ANY criticism was SO devastating to them that they ignored it, and hence, never bothered to improve, while the second group worked HARDER to get better in response to criticism.

As the saying goes, "Work it through, get over YOURSELF, and move on."

Why bother posting anything if you cannot handle anything less than blanket praise?????

pero lane · #9 07-16-2003, 12:14 PM

Sue/FoxyHeart..attaching small study in watercolor of the painting in question. I haven't developed pics of large one yet. I initially posted it in open critique forum & it was well recieved there which is why I decided to go for the larger version.

Madster.. I feel I have to respond to your comments. First of all I am working it through & getting over it. I am not now or ever looking for "blanket praise" from anyone! I work very hard at my art...due to an injury I'm reteaching myself to paint with my left hand. I paint on the average of 12 hours per day, sketch & watercolor most nights. I never expect to hear "Oh that's fabulous"...I expect to hear what I need to do to make it better! Not looking for pity or praise. I've posted quite a few that I've had to redo due to the critiques of others on things that I had completely missed. If you're right handed...paint with your left today & post it for critique! My friend...that takes guts!!
I spend most of my online time in the open critique forum helping others as I can & recieving help from others when I post. That is why I post my work. I always try to treat others kindly. There are alot of works posted that are not to my liking, but there is always something there (use of color, brushstrokes, composition,etc) that can be complimented on & suggestions given on improvement. Also a critique should not be a total blasting or tearing down of someone's work. There are many ways of getting a point across without being blatantly rude!
I was not "crying" in the original post...(although it did look like that when I looked back

) just commenting on how the article pertained to my situation & gave me an idea as how to handle this particular happening. I'm not a whiner..I'm a winner & I don't need my nose wiped by anyone...but even I have bad days!

**Lorijo** · #10 07-16-2003, 12:23 PM

Great article!

Pero, don't let that idiot get you down, get your brushes out and paint that horrible woman and make her look ugly! Give her a mustache and beard and hairy moles and.. well you get the picture!

You do paint nice pictures and don't let one nit-wit bother you. Especially don't let her make you stop painting! Then she would win. Lorijo

**Lorijo** · #11 07-16-2003, 12:27 PM

Pero, I just saw your picture again, that is my favorite of the ones you have posted here, that woman was absolutely nuts. Its a very charming picture, the Mexicans don't look drunk at all, and the composition is swell. Lorijo

JamieWG · #12 07-16-2003, 02:54 PM

Thank you for the article!

Pat, the woman must have been having a bad day! This is sweet.

A gallery owner just asked me for three paintings and stipulated, "No orange! Orange doesn't sell." So, you never know....what doesn't sell in one gallery will sell in another!

Jamie

Grasshopper · #13 07-16-2003, 03:53 PM

Just in the past several months I've been brave enough to share my art while in progress, or to actually do art in the presence of another, especially another artist. I've since decided, in being critiqued, that I have to see what is actually being critiqued - something technical or is the critique actually a comment on someone else's preference - know what I mean? If they aren't patriotic Americans, for instance, is that why they don't like my pastel of the Statue of Liberty? Or do they hate the color blue? Or am I sorely lacking in skill and my perspective is totally skewed? An opinion is a lot different than a constructive criticism, too. It took me a long time to blow off comments borne of jealousy, too

My worst critic is me, anyway. If I like my stuff, I know it's at least pretty darned good - you can't deter me. Other than that, I just brace myself... Every day I think I'm fortunate to just desire to do this, and to have some talent. Is there anything much better?

circular · #14 07-16-2003, 04:26 PM

I like the painting Pedro, and as the saying goes one door closes another one opens. AS far as I am concern it is her loss not yours.
peace........Circular

Fagan · #15 07-16-2003, 06:05 PM

I have lately been asking definite questions that I want answers to. I think this helps people have an idea what I want help on and I am also going to try to remember to say whether I like certain aspects of my painting. ie color, composition or subject etc.
I do not get upset by any comments because I deliberately put myself out there knowing that just about anything can (and will) be said. *GRIN*

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