10 Things that I Don't Like to Hear About My Art

Here are 10 things that I don't like to hear people say about my art.

10 "I could have done that."
Then why didn't you?

9 "I love the colors."
I know the intent of this comment is harmless but I wonder: "That's it? The colors?"
I don't know. I feel like it's a play-it-safe commentary that's not a commentary at all.
(Que music: Say Something by A Great Big World)

8 "Can you make it with purples and golds?"
I can.
But I probably won't.

7 "What are you going to do with it?"
This one usually leaves me speechless.

6 "I'm offended and I'm going to boycott your art and I'm going to get my friends to boycott your art. (True story.)"
Although it feels unsettling at first to get negative feedback, I actually thought it was fascinating that my art generated such an intense emotion in this person and that she even decided to boycott my art. I wondered why my art triggered that response in her. But the part that I thought was strange was that she would spend precious time getting her friends to boycott my art. How weird is that? I mean, I realize that some of my works have floating legs and nipples and vaginas but really ... an organized boycott? I didn't say anything back, fyi.

5 "You know you could sell this, right?"
This one always leaves me speechless and feeling awkward.

4 "Do you offer Giclees?"
Errr. Ummm. Also known as prints, right? This one makes me giggle. And it makes me think of gelato. I'll probably offer Italian ice cream before I offer prints.

3 "How long did it take you to make this?"
The truth of the matter is that I don't know. I never time myself when I'm working on something. Does anyone? And I think it's weird that there is value placed on the amount of time that something takes rather than the actual something. Like if the person loves Painting A and hates Painting B but learns that Painting A took 3 hours to make and Painting B took 3 days to make, will she then buy Painting B? If not, why ask the question in the first place? Actually, she probably wouldn't buy a painting at all. Usually I've found people who ask questions like that never buy art. They just ask questions.

2 "You have too much time on your hands."
As the saying goes: You, me, Beyonce ... we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

1 "Tutorial please."
You're kidding, right? Here are my thoughts on that.

EDIT regarding #9: Talking about color in and of itself isn't offensive to me. Color definitely contributes to important choices I make on a daily basis ... like the car I drive, the clothes I wear, the furniture I buy, and the art I make and the art I buy. And I realize that sometimes there isn't enought time to give more in-depth commentary on art so "I love the colors" is given very frequently, politely, and with harmless intent. I guess what I'm pointing to are instances when the comment about color feels like it's veiling what the viewer is truly feeling. I'm interested in what's behind the veil ... even if it's "I'm offended and I'm going to organize a boycott against your art." I also recognize that maybe I want too much. Maybe my art doesn't evoke much else from a person than a generic "I love the colors" comment and I feel frustrated that my art isn't strong enough to evoke a stronger commentary. This then makes me wonder if #6 should even be on this list at all.

Comments

[Dina]

I feel you on ALL of those. Especially #1, the tutorial thing. And "I love the colors" always seems sorta patronizing, I don't know why.

[Deb Taylor]

Oh Jenny Doh,
This is such a Bad Ass, Right On, Three-Fist-Pump and High Five list!!! I concur...especially #10. I try to make a living with my art, and I give away ideas and tuts all the time...but sometimes I need to butter my bread. I applaud you.

[Kristi Parker Van Doren]

Love you Jenny Doh! So how long did it take you to write this, Where can I buy the book? Can you explain how you came up with this post? Did you know people would pay good money for this??? LOL This is so perfect. For the record, your design/use of color is always amazing but what I like the best about ALL you do is I can feel your heart in each piece. I love your work evokes feelings and emotion. Hope your day is 100% fabulous and Hope I made you smile a little!

[Lisa Swifka]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS Jenny - AMEN Jenny - You nailed it! High five (though I'm not a high five kind of gal - you get one anyway) This should be a poster!

[Joana]

Totally! I always thought that "love the colors" stands for "hate everything else about it"!

[diane cook]

Profound, and so true.

[LindaSonia]

you are definitely an artist.

[Julie S]

LOL at the giclee comment. For the longest time I didn't know what that was but thought it was some kind of fancy technique that I'd have to buy special (read expensive) products for. When it finally intrigued me enough to check it out I was so disappointed!

[pam]

oh, always love hearing how other artists think and their experiences from sharing their art! as one that is deeply passionate about colors, i'm so surprised by that one. i get that compliment a lot from my art, and i don't assume it's a superficial veil or, an easy way to deflect commentary. on the contrary, I love that compliment, because i feel like they are being touched by my unique expression, understanding my language. It's as important a part of my expression as line quality, balance, shape, subject, etc. Use of color is up there as one of the big things that speaks (or doesn't) to me in art. I adore some artists specifically for what i see as their genius with color. I've said to artist friends "i love your use of color" (maybe even to you?!?) and when I say that I mean it as high praise. color, it's absence, it's combinations...deeply move me. sure, color can be superficial, but can't everything? i feel like someone could make a superficial feedback comment using anything - subject, meaning, materials, "pretty", etc etc etc no? i'm just saying, in defense of color, and those who use it in artistic analysis, maybe sometimes it's really thoughtfully meant...but of course, you're free to continue to hate that feedback...if you want to. ;)

[Juliet LittleMissCrafty Marsh]

gosh I think I have about 10 more ! :)

[Carina]

It is the skill set one pays for, not the amount of time spent. By that metric we would opt the open gall bladder removal with a nice lengthy scar rather than the more petite laproscopic one that leaves 3 rather small incisions.

[Mary]

I think #3 is just a way for people to start a conversation. They don't know what else to say so they use a tired go-to phrase that makes no sense at all.

[Jamie]

I Get it!

[Grace P]

Really strange how people don't think before they speak. I made Christmas cards and some people said "oh that was a cheap way out"...really?? It cost more that 10 boxes of cards from Hallmark! lol So I never sent them cards again of any kind. The other one is that I am not an "artist" It is a hobby for me I have a day job and I don't pretend to be an artist. So 1 so called artist said to me one time "So where do you fit in this Art world what do you do?" I like to learn new techniques and take classes and all this is my hobby. She looked at me like I was crazy...(I never have taken any of her classes) So I get it I guess it comes from all angles! Just keep doing what you are doing and enjoy all the positive energy from people and your beautiful creations! Grace xoox

[donna joy]

#7-ha! ha! i've always said someone should open a store for artists to sell work called "but what do you do with it..." because we hear that so often.

[donna joy]

ps-sometimes it really is the colors that draws me to a piece-the feeling they invoke.