I often run across artists making some comment along the lines of "a true artist is always his/her own worst critic" or "a real artist is never truly happy with his/her work". I read all the time about artists saying that they only see the flaws in what they do, and that they hate their own art.
I've never really understood that. I mean, I love my own art. I look at it, and I am almost always very happy with it. I actually get a lot of pleasure looking at it.
That's not to say I don't see flaws in it. Frankly, every single piece I've churned out has had plenty of flaws. Some more than others. But it doesn't stop me from enjoying my work. And it isn't enough to make me unhappy with it. There is no way I could ever be my own worst critic. Nor would I want to be, to be honest.
I can understand the sayings if they're talking about a desire to always be better, to always grow as an artist. That's something I do feel very strongly. But I don't necessarily equate a desire to improve with a dissatisfaction with or dislike of my work. Maybe it's a dissatisfaction with my current skill level, but even then, dissatisfaction implies a negativity that I don't think I feel. And it's definitely not a dissatisfaction with the art itself.
I guess I just don't understand why some people seem to feel the need to lump the two together. If you like your own works, then you're not a true artist? I feel like that's a terrible state to be in, especially considering the only reason I even do art is because I love it, and it brings me happiness. To always have that happiness dampened by some feeling of inadequacy is something I can't imagine.
So, am I missing something? I'm wondering how other people feel about this. Are you dissatisfied with your current skill level? And if so, does that affect how much you like or dislike your actual artwork? Do you think of the two things as the same? Or are they two different things to you? Do you agree that "an artist must be his own worst critic?"
For me, I don't create just so I can have a finished piece to look it - that is more a "side effect". I am often satisfied with finished pieces. But I do want to "get better" - and for me, the 'getting there' is more important than looking at what is done.
-- "Every time you eat waffles, your mind is living in sin"
I don't know. Maybe it's just a question of semantics, but I really don't feel like a desire to improve or to do another piece necessarily means there's a dissatisfaction with the current piece.
I guess I would think of it like... If I had a delicious and utterly satisfying piece of chocolate cake. The experience is pleasurable, and I'd want it to happen again. I'd love another slice of cake someday, but it doesn't mean I was dissatisfied with the piece I just ate.
Ha, I have no idea if that made any sense. It's late, and I have a terrible headache at the moment. But that's the clearest way I could describe how I look at it, it at the moment.
I'm generally happy with what I make too. More often than not, I enjoy looking at my art. Even the old stuff that has a ton of mistakes in it. I still like looking at those too, even though they're flawed like crazy.
I dunno... I used to always like my stuff a lot, like you said, but right now I'm always sorta underwhelmed with what's been coming out cuz I haven't been able to create the kinds of things I want. But I do like some parts of my stuff still so I think it's just a phase. So... maybe they're all just stuck in a phase that they've never been out of..?
Have a great time everyone and please fav this article so as many people can see the featured works. I would recommend seeing each one and faving them too.
Daily Literature Deviations is a group that is dedicated to bringing literature to the forefront of the deviantArt community. We attempt to accomplish this by daily featuring Literature artists from around the community that deserve the recognition, but are not getting it.
Each day we will feature 5 deviations from the Literature categories in a News Article. In order to support the artists that we feature, we ask that you the news article as well as check out the individual pieces. We understand that each day you may not be able to check out each and every one of the pieces, everyone has their own things going on. We just ask that you make an attempt to help support the growing Literature community.
I'd like to show you some awesome nature related work from more or less unknown artists which deserve more attention - this is a must see, you won't regret it!!!
^Ikue has been a devious member of our community for almost 7 years and in this time he has proven to be nothing short of dedicated and devoted. Whilst volunteering his time over the last 22 months as a Gallery Moderator within the Community Relations Team, Chris has brought the Vector gallery and many vector artists directly into the spotlight. ^Ikue's commitment to the community is evident in everything he touches and you can always find him reaching out to others with an encouraging word. Chris is a natural leader with a vibrant and empathic personality, and is a role model for deviants everywhere. It's ev... Read More
I've never really understood that. I mean, I love my own art. I look at it, and I am almost always very happy with it. I actually get a lot of pleasure looking at it.
That's not to say I don't see flaws in it. Frankly, every single piece I've churned out has had plenty of flaws. Some more than others. But it doesn't stop me from enjoying my work. And it isn't enough to make me unhappy with it. There is no way I could ever be my own worst critic. Nor would I want to be, to be honest.
I can understand the sayings if they're talking about a desire to always be better, to always grow as an artist. That's something I do feel very strongly. But I don't necessarily equate a desire to improve with a dissatisfaction with or dislike of my work. Maybe it's a dissatisfaction with my current skill level, but even then, dissatisfaction implies a negativity that I don't think I feel. And it's definitely not a dissatisfaction with the art itself.
I guess I just don't understand why some people seem to feel the need to lump the two together. If you like your own works, then you're not a true artist? I feel like that's a terrible state to be in, especially considering the only reason I even do art is because I love it, and it brings me happiness. To always have that happiness dampened by some feeling of inadequacy is something I can't imagine.
So, am I missing something? I'm wondering how other people feel about this. Are you dissatisfied with your current skill level? And if so, does that affect how much you like or dislike your actual artwork? Do you think of the two things as the same? Or are they two different things to you? Do you agree that "an artist must be his own worst critic?"
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"Nothing is written." --- LoA