An absolutely wonderful post - I enjoyed every wise word of it. Critics are not always kind, and it's really tough to be the subject of such a challenge. What an extraordinary person though, whose eyes couldn't see the beauty right in front of her and chose to say what she said to you. In your portrait Nate glows like Whistlejacket - what an amazing piece of work!
I've just been enjoying looking at the art on your website. Just wow.
While I was teaching one of my temporary colleagues was an artist doing supply teaching for a while. He showed me some of his favourite paintings, which were basically squiggles, and said I couldn't see the difference between them and the things I'd seen five year-olds doing. Rather than explain to me why and how these paintings were good, he just lost his temper and told me I knew nothing about art. Well, he was a teacher, at least temporarily, so why didn't he try to enlighten me?
It's because these people know, on a deep level, that it's all BS. I'm convinced of it.
Many years ago I was walking around the LA Museum of Modern Art, with my cousin who was a graphics artist and had a degree in art psychotherapy, which she practised at the time. So I was looking at the captions to these so-called artworks, and they were full of stuff like "In this painting the artist has captured the inner essence of what it means to be human, executed in a dynamic yet understated style that renders the message even more relevant."
So I said to my cousin: is this actually meaningful? I mean, have I simply not understood it.? She looked at it, walked away, and as she did so she bellowed "CRAP!". It made me feel a whole lot better!
Anyway, I like the work you've shown here, but as I said, I know nothing about art! LOL
Beautifully said, all of it, and from one artist to another that painting is gorgeous. I’ve met a number of snob artists and they all have horrid work. Take it as a compliment she didn’t see it at her level. True artists are happy to give critiques and many will talk your ear off about all sorts of techniques and mediums if asked. I went to college for art, but have learned just as much talking with other artists and experimenting.
Speaking of critique, here’s mine. The horse is beautiful, well proportioned and has wonderful depth and texture. However, there’s lots of blank space which could be better used so compositionally it’s “lacking”. My professors would suggest squinting to see if the dark areas were unbalanced in a piece which can hurt an otherwise good piece. If you haven’t varnished it yet, you can easily add apple or cherry tree branches dotted with blossoms and perhaps fruit. Since Nate did jumping and water jumps were a strong memory tied to him, that could fill the space instead.
If it is varnished, don’t try removing the varnish (that never ends well). You could instead make a frame that has lacquered branches overhanging the empty space or you could remove the canvas and change its framework shape entirely if you have skill with carpentry.
All are merely suggestions of course. As my favorite professor would say, “You make art for you and you alone. Only you need be happy with it.” I think the same can be applied to writing.
First of all, congrats on reaching such a milestone. Good on you, I say. I have to agree with a lot of what you say, here. I write for myself, as well. I try not to listen too much to what someone says if they rip into a story I've written--which I'm glad to say hasn't happened in a long time. But I think in writing for myself, I'm trying to please the harshest audience out there: Me. Self-censorship is difficult enough, editing yourself, even more-so; but sticking to what you feel is where you want your story to go, is probably the hardest part. I tend to write long short stories. (10,000 words is a short story.) Unfortunately, it's placed me out of contention when it comes to submitting my work to a magazine. Having a platform like SUBSTACK is a dream come true. I've only been here since June, and only have 40 followers. I believe the followers will come though, as long as the quality of the stories I give them doesn't falter. I mean, how many people out there remember the Mau Mau uprising in the 50s? It's not that I remember it--I was born too late for that--but my brothers did, and in my childhood, the Mau Mau took the place of the Boogey Man, Why wouldn't I read up on them and try to figure out what happened?
As for your painting. Excellent. I was expecting to see something horribly out of focus. You cold make your own illustrations for your work. You could be a modern-day Howard Pyle. I look forward to reading more of your story, and hope you'll be curious enough to look at mine. Don't let the bastards beat you down, and do it the way you see it in your own mind's eye. I tell myself, if the writing works, the readers will come. It may take time, but hey, I'm not working on a deadline, am I?
I was ready to subscribe just from the title of this essay. The Big Lebowski may be my most favorite movie of all times (right up there with Pirate Radio). As someone who is a mostly reformed occasional asshole, I cringed when you related the woman who dissed your paintings in front of other people. I might have done something like that before I reformed and got in touch with my inner panda.
I am so glad I read on through the story of that "trainer" you worked with and so glad you fired her ass and that you chose to not traumatize your beloved horse.
I am already subscribing to far too many Substacks, but creating even a tenuous connection with other artists here is something I want to do. Thanks for being so revealing in your writing. It is something I am trying to learn how to do.
I've just seen this post almost a year later, and I must say I agree 100%. What are we if we massage our ethics and standards to suit someone else's idea of what they should be? We do all have our own opinions and ideas, and that's what makes the world interesting. If we were all the same, there'd only need to be one of us. Your portrait is gorgeous. Nate's coat shimmers like velvet and the look in his eye reflects your love for him. Love leads kindly. It doesn't drive brutally. It's incredible to me that your "expert's" kind of training is even allowed, let alone encouraged.
What a great piece. There are so many gatekeepers in the world often with no more qualifications to be in that position than either of us. The internet has been good for one thing, giving us all a potential route around these people/institutions or, in other words, it gives us choices and an opportunity to share our writing with others. Keep up the good fight!
Great post! This was the perfect follow up to the thread about feedback and when to take advice. I love it! Also, beautiful horse and a wonderful painting. I prefer your style any day. :)
An absolutely wonderful post - I enjoyed every wise word of it. Critics are not always kind, and it's really tough to be the subject of such a challenge. What an extraordinary person though, whose eyes couldn't see the beauty right in front of her and chose to say what she said to you. In your portrait Nate glows like Whistlejacket - what an amazing piece of work!
I've just been enjoying looking at the art on your website. Just wow.
Congratulations on your milestone! :D
While I was teaching one of my temporary colleagues was an artist doing supply teaching for a while. He showed me some of his favourite paintings, which were basically squiggles, and said I couldn't see the difference between them and the things I'd seen five year-olds doing. Rather than explain to me why and how these paintings were good, he just lost his temper and told me I knew nothing about art. Well, he was a teacher, at least temporarily, so why didn't he try to enlighten me?
It's because these people know, on a deep level, that it's all BS. I'm convinced of it.
Many years ago I was walking around the LA Museum of Modern Art, with my cousin who was a graphics artist and had a degree in art psychotherapy, which she practised at the time. So I was looking at the captions to these so-called artworks, and they were full of stuff like "In this painting the artist has captured the inner essence of what it means to be human, executed in a dynamic yet understated style that renders the message even more relevant."
So I said to my cousin: is this actually meaningful? I mean, have I simply not understood it.? She looked at it, walked away, and as she did so she bellowed "CRAP!". It made me feel a whole lot better!
Anyway, I like the work you've shown here, but as I said, I know nothing about art! LOL
Beautifully said, all of it, and from one artist to another that painting is gorgeous. I’ve met a number of snob artists and they all have horrid work. Take it as a compliment she didn’t see it at her level. True artists are happy to give critiques and many will talk your ear off about all sorts of techniques and mediums if asked. I went to college for art, but have learned just as much talking with other artists and experimenting.
Speaking of critique, here’s mine. The horse is beautiful, well proportioned and has wonderful depth and texture. However, there’s lots of blank space which could be better used so compositionally it’s “lacking”. My professors would suggest squinting to see if the dark areas were unbalanced in a piece which can hurt an otherwise good piece. If you haven’t varnished it yet, you can easily add apple or cherry tree branches dotted with blossoms and perhaps fruit. Since Nate did jumping and water jumps were a strong memory tied to him, that could fill the space instead.
If it is varnished, don’t try removing the varnish (that never ends well). You could instead make a frame that has lacquered branches overhanging the empty space or you could remove the canvas and change its framework shape entirely if you have skill with carpentry.
All are merely suggestions of course. As my favorite professor would say, “You make art for you and you alone. Only you need be happy with it.” I think the same can be applied to writing.
First of all, congrats on reaching such a milestone. Good on you, I say. I have to agree with a lot of what you say, here. I write for myself, as well. I try not to listen too much to what someone says if they rip into a story I've written--which I'm glad to say hasn't happened in a long time. But I think in writing for myself, I'm trying to please the harshest audience out there: Me. Self-censorship is difficult enough, editing yourself, even more-so; but sticking to what you feel is where you want your story to go, is probably the hardest part. I tend to write long short stories. (10,000 words is a short story.) Unfortunately, it's placed me out of contention when it comes to submitting my work to a magazine. Having a platform like SUBSTACK is a dream come true. I've only been here since June, and only have 40 followers. I believe the followers will come though, as long as the quality of the stories I give them doesn't falter. I mean, how many people out there remember the Mau Mau uprising in the 50s? It's not that I remember it--I was born too late for that--but my brothers did, and in my childhood, the Mau Mau took the place of the Boogey Man, Why wouldn't I read up on them and try to figure out what happened?
As for your painting. Excellent. I was expecting to see something horribly out of focus. You cold make your own illustrations for your work. You could be a modern-day Howard Pyle. I look forward to reading more of your story, and hope you'll be curious enough to look at mine. Don't let the bastards beat you down, and do it the way you see it in your own mind's eye. I tell myself, if the writing works, the readers will come. It may take time, but hey, I'm not working on a deadline, am I?
I was ready to subscribe just from the title of this essay. The Big Lebowski may be my most favorite movie of all times (right up there with Pirate Radio). As someone who is a mostly reformed occasional asshole, I cringed when you related the woman who dissed your paintings in front of other people. I might have done something like that before I reformed and got in touch with my inner panda.
I am so glad I read on through the story of that "trainer" you worked with and so glad you fired her ass and that you chose to not traumatize your beloved horse.
I am already subscribing to far too many Substacks, but creating even a tenuous connection with other artists here is something I want to do. Thanks for being so revealing in your writing. It is something I am trying to learn how to do.
I've just seen this post almost a year later, and I must say I agree 100%. What are we if we massage our ethics and standards to suit someone else's idea of what they should be? We do all have our own opinions and ideas, and that's what makes the world interesting. If we were all the same, there'd only need to be one of us. Your portrait is gorgeous. Nate's coat shimmers like velvet and the look in his eye reflects your love for him. Love leads kindly. It doesn't drive brutally. It's incredible to me that your "expert's" kind of training is even allowed, let alone encouraged.
What a great piece. There are so many gatekeepers in the world often with no more qualifications to be in that position than either of us. The internet has been good for one thing, giving us all a potential route around these people/institutions or, in other words, it gives us choices and an opportunity to share our writing with others. Keep up the good fight!
Great post! This was the perfect follow up to the thread about feedback and when to take advice. I love it! Also, beautiful horse and a wonderful painting. I prefer your style any day. :)
Good for you, standing up to that 'expert' coach and standing up for your horse!