03/24/2008 12:07:03

Artist's come in a wide variety. This is sort of an open forum. We have lots of really first class art. Not to say it is all first class. Personally bad drawing and poor execution are more offensive than content. The artists here break down about even trained vs untrained. We will have differences of taste as well to consider. Nobody wants to hear that their baby is ugly but it incumbent on those of us who have a sound grasp of art to at least attempt constructive criticism. Here the less experienced are aware that there are experts available. Giving guidance is in order. If some one is not ready to accept a bit of criticism they may be in for a rude shock when they bring their works to the public. A shock that could bring them to the decision to just give it up entirely.      

03/24/2008 07:21:47

more input - having discussed this topic with assorted scuttlebutt members off of this blog, I have come to realize that some people create art which is meant to disturb or be offensive, and if it has that effect on us, then it is successful art. I happen to create serene, soothing, 'pretty' art, but thats only my personal preference, and I have to salute the artists that can evoke emotion of any kind, good, bad, happy, sad.. it works if it has any effect but to feel nothing is unsuccessful art.

03/24/2008 03:58:26

I'm glad this subject came up,  because I've been guilty of not saying anything while I've been finding certain work particularly disturbing and offensive.

03/22/2008 21:34:58

Some constructive criticism can be like throwing pearls to swine.  I don't think picking fights like they do on so many blogs is constructive, but honesty toward the truly offensive is what life is all about.  Some people live to irritate and disrupt.  Like dishonest politicians or toxic waste, if everybody stands idly by and does nothing, worse things are inevitably to come.  If work is horrid simply for the sake of polluting an otherwise respectable environment, or to serve only one individuals skewed muse, it is every person's responsibility to protect what he/she feels is being corrupted.  However, that can and should be done with tact and kindness.  As the others suggested, encouragement goes further than condemnation.  But, silence serves no one.  That said, you have to ask yourself what are you going to do if your intervention falls on deaf ears?  Either way, you can't let your work be disrupted by one lost soul.  Instead, I'd say, let your work shine all the more brightly, using the darkness of the offensive one's work contrast and set off the beauty of your own.

03/22/2008 19:10:10

Robin it's very interesting that you posted this. I've tried to be positive with all of my comments, because when people are positive about mine it encourages me to continue on a certain path.  Then again, I don't consider what I do to be controversial. Arrousing controversey is not what inspires me to draw.  However, if people never critique what I do, then I'm not getting the benefit being forced to look harder at what I'm doing.  Abiquii has pushed me to explore using light sources (which is why I haven't posted anything new lately because I'm having a hard time with it) by making suggestions, but he's done it in a way that challenges me to keep trying, not in a way that makes me feel bad.  On that note, Danmoc, I would say, that I prefer art that leaves a little bit to the imagination. I actually typed in a reponse to one of your pieces and then I didn't submit it because I didn't want to appear negative.  I love art that portrays the human body- but as a woman some of your pieces are disturbing.  Do you only paint women?  I think it's great when art inspires emotion- but the vision of what we would hang on our wall is different for all of us. 

03/22/2008 18:17:10

I think that you have to be honest, but polite. If you don't say what is on your mind, you are being dishonest. And if you say nothing, you are being a poor neighbor. Speaking about feelings begins communication. At least you are sharing your vision and bumping heads with someone who has a different vision.

03/22/2008 16:58:22

I wonder if you're referring to the piece(s) I think you are...

It's a tough call, but here's the way I look at it - I feel you should be 100% honest if someone ASKS you for your opinion, but it's better to say nothing than to throw an unsolicited negative comment someone's way. But then again, you do have freedom of speech AND freedom of expression all in one forum here...hmmmm, I'm in a good mood right now so I say live and let live. But if I wasn't, I'd probably say let 'em have it...but be prepared for backlash.