Critiquing Artwork!

I am, all too often, being asked to critique artwork! Me, a "jack of all trades" artist! My brother would immediately laugh out loud. I quickly say to people, "everyone is a critic in their own right" and conclude with "just because I own an art gallery, this does not make me an art critic". But nothing ever deters the oncoming response, "but I would really like your opinion!" So I gently proceed with, "if you wish to send me pics by email, I'll see what I can do". Artists are so eager to hear critical opinion, and yet what will they do with it? Some actually use it to better their craft, others feel it's their right to debate you, while yet others secum to the end result, "maybe I'm just not good enough".

I know what I think I like on any given day! Is that critical enough? It certainly makes me sound critical, critical enough to be misunderstood. But I like what I like when I see something I like! Most people are this way. When you have to make it a function or force in your life to find out why and what you like, then it changes into a formal critique, and that's what the artist is wanting I suppose.

If you need criticism from people: strangers, onlookers, anyone who dare, then remember where you live, who you are, the time of the year, who you are asking, which venue you are needing, the reason for your search, and just accept it as just people's opinion. I truly do not understand what makes one person's art better than another based on some formula. Because individual opinion is always part of it and how do you distinquish it apart from the art itself, other than using some pre-formed formula. And price is another breed of intrepretation all its own as well! We won't go there today.

Well, this is what I think all artists need to do: Enjoy the time they work at their art, always take continuing classes to better their work, put it aside for a few days and then look at it again for editing, adding or junking it, and then when all is said and done, feel good about the decision they've made with the end result of their artwork.

Artwork is its own retreat for an individual. It may be you will do this art/craft for a season in your life, maybe as a "holiday" away from stress periodically throughout your life, as a need to complete something unfinished in your life, or just simply because you enjoy it. Writing, painting, or constructing are all part of what makes us an individual.

Art is personal - and if it becomes popular, then there is something in the air that more than one person inhales at the same time, making it a viral affect catching groups into a frenzy of ectasy needing to have that item!

This is my critique on critiquing artwork!