Does It Matter What People Think Of Your Art?
Imagine your art is hanging in a gallery and there are two people viewing your art. One of the people comment that your art is the most beautiful and interesting piece they’ve ever seen. The second person balks at the comment and exclaims your art is the worst they’ve ever seen. Would you change your art to suit the second person? Of course not. What if both people hated it? I hope the answer is still no.
I think you shouldn’t cater to people when it comes to your art, commissions being the exception. You should create art that makes you happy regardless of peoples reactions. After all I’m quite certain none of us got into this business for money. There’s so many easier ways to earn a living besides pouring your soul out onto canvas or paper.
I will say though, I’ve received criticism about my work, as I’m sure many of you have, but It would be a bit soul crushing to me, if two people standing shoulder to shoulder looking at my work commented how much they hated it. I’ve grown thick skin over the years, but it would still hurt.
A few months ago when I was still working a regular job, a co-worker asked me if I was still creating art. When I told him I was, he asked to see some of it. So I obliged and pulled up my website for him to peruse. He began scrolling through the images quickly while muttering to himself. When he got to the end, he said, “These are nice, but where’s the good stuff?” You read that right. Where’s the good stuff?
Honestly, I didn’t know how to answer him. I sat there for a minute dumbfound before I began stuttering that what he looked at was the good stuff. He explained that he was more interested in seeing some of my older work from when I used to do portraits and landscapes.
I get it. My art isn’t for some people and I’m sure the same goes for your work. One of my favorite sayings is, my art is for anyone, but it’s not for everyone. The fact is some people want to look at a picture of a flower, because they know what it’s supposed to be. Others are drawn to abstract work because they have to figure out exactly what it is, like a puzzle. It really all boils down to taste.
If I wanted to be excepted by a heck of a lot more people, I could have stuck with creating pretty portraits or landscapes, but the type of art I create is something that makes my soul happy. I create for me first. With that being said, I’m extremely grateful to all my collectors who see something in my art that resonates with them.
In my humble opinion, if you’re creating art for likes on social media or to be excepted by the art community, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. You should be creating something that brings you pleasure and makes your soul happy.
So go out and create a landscape if that’s what you love or throw some paint at canvas. Regardless of what you create, do it for you and you alone. People will recognize authenticity in your art and will be drawn to it. Not everyone will like it, but that’s okay, because the ones that do, will stick with you for the long haul.
Until next time,
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