No pics or anything this time. I'm taking a much needed few weeks break from the intense studio hours - I'll be back at it in about a week or so though! In the meantime I'm attempting to pay off some of my sleep debt (which seems to have come with a ridiculously high interest rate) and slowly getting my studio back in full order after the whole "ceiling nearly caving in and two months of repairs followed by too busy of a schedule to deal with it" debacle.
Really, I just wanted to write today because my interest and admiration was peaked, once again, by the lovely miss Audrey Kawasaki. There's been some debate going on over on her livejournal about one of her recent paintings, and I must say, even with the amount that I loveloveLOVE this girl's work, this debate, combined with Audrey's response, was a bit refreshing for me to read through. It, at the very least, confirmed to me why I admire her abilities so much.
One of my biggest qualms about this art genre that I love has always been the lack of honest criticism. It has always seemed like there's a WHOLE lot of "I love it! I love it! I love every single thing you have ever even slightly touched!" and a serious lack of "hey... yeah. I don't know, I've seen better from you. Maybe this piece just isn't your greatest". I mean, it happens, people. Not everything you or I make is going to be a winner. While it can be hard to hear, I think any artist could agree with me that it's the people who are this willing to share these honest and sometimes harsh opinions who end up pushing you to go far and beyond what you'd accomplish when only rewarded with pats on the back and puddles of drool. One of my favorite things about being engaged to another artist (oh yeah! did I not mention it? mr josholland gave me the most beautiful ring a few months ago - teehee ;)) BUT, one of my favorite things about our relationship is how NOT scared of saying "that sucks, seriously, start over" to each other we are. Just a few nights ago I think the comment "uh yeah... it's okayyyyy, but that really looks like something I would have done junior year of college" was said, and it was received without any ego bruising at all. Basically it boils down to the fact that if you are an aspiring creative (or a working creative!), and you want to keep getting better and better (as most of us do want - you should probably quit if you don't. seriously), then this kind of honest critique is absolutely necessary. People should welcome it and offer a thanks for it when it happens, because even if it hurts for a little while it will do nothing but fantastic things for you in the long run.
Case in point - the Audrey debate and what I found so lovely about it. I think it's fair to assume that she probably doesn't receive too much criticism too often these days, at least not by her faithful blog readers. I have absolutely heard the argument before that her work can sometimes look too similar to itself and that it'd be nice to see her branch out and try some new directions. I... sometimes agree, sometimes disagree. I love her work. I think she's wonderously talented. I own two of her prints, which are neither easy to nab nor easy on the pocketbook, but I adore them. And today, I adored her even a little bit more, because her response to reading all of these comments (which can't have been easy. I know it must be bumming to get comments like that out of the blue & esp after working so hard to put out new work) was to take it, think about it, and try something a bit new because of it. And, look how lovely the result is. I love that even with how established & successful she is, she is still willing to listen to some anonymous commenter's critique and decide that maybe there's something to it. To me, this is a sign of someone who really truly cares about and loves what they do. I think as artists we are always learning - there is absolutely always room for growth, and the second you lose sight of that is the second you've lost sight of why you started creating in the first place.
I don't know. Long rant, but just something to think about, I guess.
My goal for the next week is to get my sketch nook set up and pour over some art history and art books. I'm in the mood to drool over some painting skills that I can only dream about attaining.
<3
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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Wow, I couldn't agree more! I joined an art forum last year, comprised mostly of collectors/fans, and a few artists. I dared to say a particular artist should focus a little because her art was too all-over-the-place, and I got raked over the coals. It was pointed out to me in no uncertain terms that low brow/pop surrealism was a sand box that EVERYONE can play in, not just the uber-gifted. I kinda scratched my head at that one. "Really? You mean...no one wants critique?" It opened a really nice conversation though, and by the end of the thread I was getting 'thank yous' for bringing up the topic.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing scifi/fantasy illustration for a while, but my heart belongs to contemporary art. I really want to get back into it. And I've gotta say, that's a really big difference, it seems, between today's fine arts and today's illustration: critique! Maybe it's the big difference between doing art for a client and art for yourself.
But huzzah for Audrey! She's a wonderful artist with an equally appealing attitude. She's only gonna get better!
OK, here is what I think. And before I go on, let me say I am approaching this without a cynical point of view.
ReplyDeleteFrom a technical standpoint, her work is outstanding. She has created a look that is very pleasing to the eyes and has been praised by many. However, what gets to me is the repetitive subject matter. I feel as if I can predict her next five pieces. They will have a minimum of one malnutritioned, caucasian, depressed kid with flowing Mucha inspired hair. Maybe I don't get it and I'm just dense and don't see beyond the imagery, but to me, that is basically her schtick. That's fine. She is making a raking at it and has adoring fans, so why rock the boat? I tend to look at her work and think, "man, the potential that is there for something greater." I mean, could you imagine how mind blowing it would be if she illustrated something like scenes from "Dante's Inferno" with her style?
That's just my opinion.
Nothing against Audrey. Her work is no doubt appealing to the eye, but I agree with Jack. Whatever happened to pushing the boundaries of concept? With the mainstream, the lowest intellectual common denominator seems to win out on everything else. That's not news though. When it comes to art; a lot of people aren't looking to be challenged, they just want pretty, flashy "wallpaper". I also agree with your point Shannon. On most occasions the internet seems to be such a superficial facade where most fear to go beyond the basic "hi how are you, you look great" routine. I think the two points are connected. I think we should all try to use the internet to grow our work beyond it's boundaries, while simultaneously raising a higher standard for people to aspire to. Most people don't however, because I think they are afraid to get burned. Politics as usual I suppose. Every word put forth to the public can be used to burn you, so why even bother? Now I'm the one being cynical. :) Either way; cheers to you for laying it down real.
ReplyDeleteright. i understand both where both of these arguments come from. i also understand though that people make the imagery they feel compelled to make, so i don't necessarily think it's a fair argument to say "man she COULD be doing so much more conceptually". people could say the same about nearly anybody, myself included. i don't pretend to make the most conceptually intelligent work out there, but i make what attracts me and what comes out of my hand/mind when i pick up a pencil. sure, audrey would likely do amazing things if she were to illustrate dante's inferno, like jack suggested. but.... not if she doesn't want to. then it just becomes every illustration gig you've ever had that you didnt really care about but had to do. you lose some sincerity when you start trying to be someone else with your work.
ReplyDeletei don't know, obviously i'm biased because of the work that i do, but i think a lot of the female artists who use women as their subject matter get a crap rap, because people think they're taking the easy route when really they're just doing what they do. i think what this argument may really boil down to is that it just really isn't your cup of tea, which is perfectly ok. to each his own, you'll never hear me say anything different.
also, this point was meant more to be about the consistent absence of critique and less about audrey's work specifically. i was just highlighting this incident as an example of how honest critique can be a really good thing when it's taken in an open manner. it's not meant to cheerlead for audrey and say that she can do no wrong, although i do admit to being a huge fan. i just respected the fact that she is super successful and really good at what she does and still didn't take the "oh screw them - don't they know who i am?" route.
I intended no offense toward your work or Audrey's for that matter. I enjoy both of what you have to offer, as well as many other artists, male or female, in your genre. I'm just making the simple point that as artists, we should all try to push the boundaries of our own process. Personally for me, I found that once I began to present my process to the public venue of the internet, I felt a certain level of inhibition settle in. I had to take a step back. So I related my own experience to what happened with Audrey, and I applaud her for being so bold in her reaction. I think there is a balance that needs to be maintained between what artist's do and how they allow the internet to influence that.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I definitely wasn't taking offense, Oscar. Just discussing! Internet talks can be confusing like that - and sometimes I come across a bit more aggressively than intended, I think. ;) I very much enjoy the discussion though and was just offering the view from the point of someone who just makes imagery because they enjoy making and creating the stories in their head, or what have you. It's part of the reason I went into illustration in college and not fine art - I consider myself so much more of a storyteller than a ground breaking idea pusher, and that's perfectly a-ok with me. We all want different things. And, I think the line tends to get blurred nowadays because more illustrative work has found it's way into the gallery world. People expect it to be explorative in the same kind of way, but really it's just a completely different thing. So much of it is just people doing whatever tickles them - you know, the whole "sandbox" idea that was brought up here, but I guess what I was trying to say is that even within that sort of a personal interest realm, it's still healthy & beneficial for people to be open to critique where it's offered.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, push the process and push yourself to explore beyond what you've already done - that was also exactly my point. We're on the same page, methinks. No offense taken. :)
Indeed we are Shannon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. They are much appreciated. Cheers! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree Shannon. Although, I know as an artist I still find it hard to take criticism sometimes, even when I know it's for the best. Sometimes my fiance (who isn't an artist - but quite the creative type - he makes video games!) tells me that a certain piece I'm working on could be better or isn't up to scratch and although I impulsively get a bit defensive at first, I'm always glad he said something once I've cooled off.
ReplyDeleteAll of this aside, I've just stumbled across your work. Not sure why I haven't earlier!? And like the many people before me I'm going to say "Love it. Love it. Love it." :)