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the everyday life of a working artist

What Happens if We Don't Like Our Art?

7/26/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
"Strawberry Sundae"
Abstract Acrylic, 20" x 20"
​Purchase here.

It's an interesting question. And I am not suggesting that any of us don't like ALL of our art. But what about the occasional painting that you just don't like. The one you don't like at all. Should you smile and say thank you when someone else compliments on the painting? Or should you take out your shears and shred the sucker before you toss it in the trash?

There isn't a right or a wrong answer. And that's because it's 100% up to you. 

Personally, I like to destroy the "bad" paintings.

​Do you know what you should do? At the least, remove them from your studio. Store them out of sight. It makes no sense to have them sitting around where they can bring you down and threaten your confidence. Last week I said "goodbye" to about 20 paintings. Half were put in the trash and the rest (which were acrylic paintings) were gessoed so I can use the canvases again. What a fabulous feeling that was!

Before you destroy your "bad paintings", take one last look and decide if they should go in a pile titled "to be finished later". Sometimes some of the paintings you don't like just are worth saving. They just need a little more work. That's all.
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3 Comments
Marilyn Jacobson link
7/26/2016 06:36:31 am

I never disagree when someone compliments a painting, as it infers the other person is stupid to like it. It's an offensive response. I agree that paintings I don't like should be removed.

Reply
Val van der Poel link
7/26/2016 07:53:33 am

I think you have to consider why you think the painting is bad. Is it a subject or colour combination that you don't like? Is it the technique? Over the years I have sold a number of paintings that I didn't like, deeming them horrible and not my best jobs. If I had destroyed those paintings I would have lost sales. I never forget that the world is full of people with different tastes - lol.

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Irene Hurdle
7/26/2016 09:35:32 am

I once repainted a small piece that was "no good". I still had the digital image, so one day, I posted it on my FB wall out of curiosity. I got 83 likes, and dozens of enthusiastic comments. People were seeing all kinds of things in that little abstract that I didn't see. That has happened several times with other paintings....but not such a huge response.

Lesson learned....I am much too critical of my own work. Wanting everyone to "see" it my way is also a control issue....ego wanting to exert control over other people's experiences.

Another art coach I follow says : " We are the worst judges of our own creative work ". Allow others to form their own opinions....food for thought.

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