We have this artist colony with like 3-500 associated artists called front street. It’s this whole series of interconnected buildings and studios. The sheer range of art is difficult to believe. Not all art is for all people. Find your people

I think my favourite moment, the moment when I truly accepted that art is ALWAYS subjective, was when I was a merchant at a local "Ren Faire" (some of my work fits there...even if it is abstract). I hated one of the paintings I was displaying, but put it up for shytes and giggles. AND, of course, there were several confused reactions and one person who just trashed it...to my face. No more than 30 minutes later, up came this one man who fell in LOVE with it! Seriously. The first thing out of his mouth was "That is great! I must have it!! How much?" I named the price and he bought it right then and there. That sort of thing regularly happens to me.

Tremendous advice. For me, I constantly have "for every action there's an equal and opposite criticism" going through my head. If the critic makes the comment to me I ask, "I'd love to see how you dealt with that" or "...how you approached that in your work." 9.5/10 times they have no experience in whatever they're criticizing. If it's someone with experience, and is in life where I want to be, I listen then decide if their experience is similar to mine enough that they know what they're talking about. It's usually those people who I can ask deeper questions and get a little education right on the spot.

Like I’ve said before, the people come into my space at vendor events and make rude comments… usually when I walk around later I see them sitting in a booth. Other vendors and other artists have been my harshest critics over the last 27 years of making jewelry. They see me as competition and I see them as neighbors who share an interest.

Thank you Rafi, I needed this today. I sent some photos of my work to a friend yesterday just for conversation. I was telling her how my work which is usually bright and colorful took a dark turn. I was excited by the paintings which were a series, it’s new work so I wanted to show her. She loved it and had shown it to her friends who were not interested in it at all. In fact it was called amateurish and they wondered if I was trying to be “cool”. At this stage of my life I’m too old to be “cool”. I’m interested in what the imagination conjures up and the feelings it inspires not my social standing. I was surprised at how hurt I felt. Your advice was spot on. Looking deeper as to why I’m feeling hurt and working on my attitude of what matters to me is what’s important. I thought I didn’t care about others opinions but I have more work to do in this area. I realize not everyone is going to like what I do or me either. I think the universe is testing that resolve as I told myself this is the year I’m going to put myself out there and sell my paintings. It’s preparation for what lies ahead. Sticking to my instincts and whether or not I like the painting is what’s important. I’m super critical of my art and won’t show it to anyone if I don’t think it’s something that evokes an emotional response. Sometimes the response will be repulsion I guess. It stirred an emotion for sure so I think I’m onto something. 😂. I feel much lighter now thanks to you. 🌻🌻🌻

YES, love this! 'The judgement is only as relevant as the judge' ;)

One of the many gifts of stoicism is the idea that, in any given situation, we always have the choice to simply not react. 😺

The studio looks great( and huge)! Interesting topic, I recently moved into a shared studio at a commercial location and we hold open studio once a month. Of course we are getting lots of nice comments ( instantly forgotten 😅) and a few weird, creepy or negative comments, (which we will remember until the grave😅). I like to think if I don't get some crappy remarks, I'm doing something wrong🎉

I’ve started to teach classes lately for watercolor and I hear my students complain about how their art looks. I try to encourage having fun rather than create the perfect piece. Their art will improve with time. Even as I say this I look at a piece I’ve been painting while listening to your video and I can see flaws and places I struggled. But I can appreciate it as art and I know that it’s beautiful even with flaws. “Kinda like us”. I’m grateful you post this because really we get down when someone criticizes our art. Just remember why you make art. You love to create!

I would welcome any criticism. Not that I’m eager to be criticized but it would at least mean someone saw my art and was moved enough to take the time to comment (even negatively)

All critique, good or bad is potential for growth, you cannot learn without it.

Hey Rafi , great video ! , for many years in my art career I have a stack of rejection letters from galleries and thinking of turning them into a collage , lol , fast forward to today they are begging me to show in their galleries now .

Yes

I try to think of art as being full of endless possibilities. When someone offers criticism, it’s merely them expressing another possibility. Sometimes you’ve already considered and dismissed that possibility and sometimes it’s one you’ve never considered. If it was offered respectfully (but perhaps not the most gently) I give them the benefit of the doubt. When someone just wants to spread misery, however, it’s easy and necessary to dismiss them and move on. They aren’t worth it.

This past weekend at the festival from hell I had one person stand at my table and looked at each piece, I said hello and they didn't even respond. She stood there looked in side my booth from side to side, up and down with confusion on her face. Then she said "you sell this STUFF" I was already having a really bad day and I will not tell you what I WANTED to say, but you get the idea with all caps. I just said sure come in and take a closer look.... they turn instantly and began to walk away and I very loud... had to get the last word... and said OR NOT.

Once the flame meets the canvas, the work is done. What happens afterwards, cannot snuff the flame. Its eternal.

It amazes me how often you post about something random that it is exactly what I need to hear at that specific time. I'm new at teaching and one of my students she'll get to a stage, about an hour in, where she gets angry at me for various reasons, usually it's that I'm 4 steps ahead of her. None of my other students have this problem with me, they keep up to the next steps. I'd had enough of this so there were words. I almost felt like giving up teaching if I'm so bad at it. But after a few nights of restless sleep, talking it over with my other students and finding out that person is argumentative with everyone, I've realised it's not me, it's her. So thank you Rafi for this post. It was a kind of validation for me. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

I went through four years of art school. If anything I learned how to take a crit. (It actually annoyed my wife when I wouldn’t get mad when she’d throw a small crit out there) I’m set on selling stuff online but thought I’d better kick up my CV a little and enter a state biennial competition. No application fee and the commission is stupid low. Why not? Couldn’t care whether I get in or not because as soon as I posted what I’m submitting, I got an offer on two pieces. It’s a sign I’m on the right track whether I get into the show or not. I know it’s a sellable piece(s) which was the goal anyway.

great words.... I apologize for the gizmo avatar, that's a whole other project!!! bravo Rafi Sir!!

What I find is that most people don't know how to properly criticize work without things turning into a destroy-fest. I learned many years ago that all criticism should involve the sandwich technique: list the good parts, point out the bad parts, point out some more good parts and offer suggestions. I also learned that we also shouldn't mix the work and the artist. There are some people that produce awesome work but are just an a$$ in real life. And the opposite is also very true. As for people who are just relentless, just tell them that they seem to know a great deal about creating art and that you'd absolutely love to see their portfolio or art collection 😁. If they're scared, you should see them find any excuse not to do so and just run away. And if they agree, it's your turn to see if what they claim makes any sense.

Great vid! My approach to criticism gives me a boost each time. To the naysayers and those telling me how I should create my art, I thank them for their input and for validating my work. I succeed when you feel an emotion when experiencing my art. Positive or negative, if I create a thing that induces a feeling in you, I have done my job. There is a difference between criticism and meanness. I've not run in to a 'mean' critic yet. Some very strange cats, to be sure, but no one mean. Mostly positive, actually. Thank you, Rafi & Klee, for keeping your Rogues feeling positive and pushing us to push ourselves in all aspects of creativity and the psychology/sociology behind it! We love you!

Good advice. It was, 4me, a benefit of art school. I developed a very thick skin not only for critiques coming my way but critiques of my fellow students if I admired their work and didn't agree w the prof. In the end, it's just one person's opinion on that day. Even the day/mood will change and I've had critics turn into supporters.

When I get negative criticism about my drawings I simply reflect on all the knowledge that I had to learn to get to the point where I can do the particular piece and consider the critic. I think "does this person have a clue even what knowledge this piece represents?". If they don't then I do not give merit to their criticism beyond they just don't like it. However if some one who is at my level doesn't like it I would be much more interested to know where that person is coming from and consider their reasons for not liking it and to try to do a piece that would be more appealing to them. Maybe even ask them for advice. As in "what would you like to see?" then consider if what they want is something I would like to accomplish. They may inspire me in some way I never would have thought of myself.

This need reminds thank you so much

Thank you so much! Great stuff ❤❤❤

The mystery of attraction has always befuddled humans.

Great speech👏👏👏Sometimes people make business about "criticism"😝 for example video tutorial for learners the second language. I follow people who motivates me to practice English with smile. I like it your and Klee conversations, it's useful for English learners too.👍

I once submitted a large (30x36) mosaic artwork of crowned cranes in a stream of water in front of marsh grasses - all hand cut glass tile - to an art showing, and not only did they reject it; they didn’t consider it fine art. It was the most intricate piece I’d made by that point, and that really pisses me off. I felt they didn’t deserve it…but it hurt. I eventually stopped making mosaics (very expensive materials, time consuming, and physically hard on my hands), but I feel people are too quick to discount what “art” is, just because it may not fit in their box. PS….doing dot painting now…and I love it…and that’s most important.

👍👍 James 😁

I'm not even reacting to people who comment hateful stuff under my art because like you said in the end it only reflects how miserable they feel inside, it's got nothing to do with me. The only thing that really annoys me is when people dump cr** in the ratings tab on facebook that has got nothing to do with your art and all they're up to is doing damage. And fb of course doesn't do anything to remove the bad out of context rating and so the only choice you have left is to remove the ratings tab ... grr. Psychology also says there are 3 reasons why someone would hate you: They hate themselves, they want to be you or they see you as a threat. This made me learn not to get triggered by dislikes and bad comments anymore. And then there was this one case where there are some parents that have a now I don't know how old son (back then he was 4) and promote him and his aimless paint splattering as the next abstract genius. If you say something against him, their hired fan club will come up and comment stuff on your art like "oh your art is so much less vibrant and alive than the boy's, I can understand why you're jealous" ... Oh well, blocked the circus, deleted the comment, done. Some people just have too much time on their hands 🙄

Yup been there and it’s really difficult to deal with - everything you mentioned to deal with it - is all correct but it does take time to implement it all - it’s all about changing how we react to it. I used to hang on everyone’s opinion about my work and it was all conflicting to the point where I was completely confused. So I decided - they don’t matter and what I think and say does matter more 😆 Drop kicking critics is a big no no apparently 😅

Abstract is the swirl of creation.

I'm sure in the history of a all art . There is the artist and the art critic . I wonder how the prehistoric artist and the prehistoric art critic dealt with this conundrum?🤔 Prehistoric art critic says to Prehistoric artist. "Why are you putting these drawing on the inside of cave walls? You should carve these drawings outside where everyone can see them. Have you tried sculpting ? I know this model from Willndorf. Her name is Venus. . . She could pose for you . Just saying. "Put yourself out there man!" Forgive me I'm feeling silly today. Ha ha ha 😁

💖👍💖👍💖👍💖

This only happens when I'm showing my art on social media. But, this occasional comment that gets under my skin the worst, much more so than any unkind commentary about my work, is actually a "compliment" and I'm really not sure why it annoys me so much. The person says something like, "Your art is really improving!" Okay, I've been a professional portrait artist for several years and I certainly hope that I'm always improving, that's definitely my goal, I don't want to become stagnant and I constantly strive to learn new things and to incorporate new techniques into my work.... so... why does this "compliment" annoy me so much?

I even have a critic who challenges my titles of my paintings!

Man I just listened to some other guy on KZfaq and while I’ve been trying to learn to paint and having so much fun, this guy made me want to quit. Like if you’re not Matisse, give up now. Well, i play tennis. Have for a long time and I’m just ok, but ok nonetheless. I will never be Serena Williams. I guess that guy would have me quit tennis now. There’s one video I wish was never in my feed. So thanks for not hating on people here.

I've come to see, that some folks think it's either their duty, or their right, especially on antiSoctal Media (like on Your own page/post), to try their best to belittle someone. I've also come to see, that when one's reply back (which apparently they NEVER SAW THE POSSIBILITY OF COMING, therefore can't even argue with), is "Yeah?, Well it's a damn great thing that THIS wasn't done for You, it was done for ME." 😁😎

I did my first vending in October. A few people tried haggling on the price of some of my pieces. I woodburn and it takes time and it being my first event and a new artist that I priced for 10/hour on each piece+supplies. I didn't necessarily take a profit. My prices were really low compared to a lot of others in my area of things. I found people trying to haggle prices as a backhanded compliment. I took it as they liked the pieces but they didn't think they were worth what I put into them. What is your view point? Could you make a video about this if you've experienced this also?

I am coming from a different perspective for this situation - I actually crave for critique, though oddly enough, very rarely get it. I am actually finding it harder to deal with no critique, because I need some input to help me improve on things I might have not noticed... Like, any form of reaction - good or bad, I consider it as data. The more intense and emotional the response, the more I feel like I did something that did something, the more people seek to correct, the more I feel like they see potential for more, where they pretty much envision something even greater, and I am curious about it. If someone outright disses my art and curse me for life or whatever... I actually never experienced it, but, I reckon it'll amuse me for the most part. Still, I find it very hard to find critiques, be them good or bad - I need them. Is there a good platform to actually get freely critiqued on by intention?

(Me, finished illustrating an 8-day artwork.) (Shows to people) "This is real good. What prompts did you use? Also, what AI tool you use?" (Me confused if I'm happy people thought the art was good, or hurt because I was accused of using AI programs...)

This is maybe a topic for a separate discussion, but what about the people who butt in and offer suggestions while you are still working on a piece? I'm currently dealing with this in a small group that I paint with weekly. I can deal with criticism, and it's pretty much implied that we are there to critique each other, but there is one particular person that is continually giving me unsolicited advice, and she doesn't get the hint when I ignore her. Before I get rude and tell her to f***-off, do you have any suggestions on how to handle this? I don't want to quit the group.

Calling my looser paintings sloppy and comparing me to "better artists" is something I've heard from a non artist. It's just them not understanding and discussion doesn't help. The more I paint and experiment, the more I understand why someone might make art I don't get.

So drop kicking the critic is out of the question ?🤣

Thank you for the advice Rafi; I do agree that some people (critics or viewers) would enjoy my artwork while others may hate it :) I'm just curious, and if you don't mind me asking, are you of Lebanese or Syrian descent?

Meh. "Critics" *L* I LOVE negative reactions and comments, I don't try for them, It has nothing to do with how I paint, but I HATE empty compliments or flattery, by contrast I sometimes learn from negative comments. My default reaction is "Thank You" and "Yeah, it is okay, nothing is for everyone, except clean air." :)

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/epNpeJBmv9OaXWQ.html Reminds me of this scene from The Office where Pam displays her paintings for her art school show. 💙

Embrace the negative criticism. People don’t grow when they’re comfortable, and sometimes it takes a harsh critic to move you out of your comfort zone. Are you more concerned about your feelings or the quality of your work? The best books about America aren’t written by Americans. Fish can’t see the water they’re swimming in. And artists often tines have no clue that their work sucks or is cliché or lacking in something.

I just say 'not everyone understands art'.. then walk away.