Criticism, Perfectionism and Art

As Joan Rivers say’s “Can we talk??” I posted the pic below of the baby face with a description that went like this: Trying to conquer my need to erase. I’ve never done a face, let alone a child’s face in only ink. I’m not comfortable with it yet!

 

I get a lot of comments from people telling me I’m too hard on myself. That I’m my own worst critic. I find it curious, because I don't see it that way at all. But I’d like to explain my comments because I think people misinterpret them as self criticism. Which they are! 

I think people think criticism and perfectionism are one in the same. They are very different animals. “Criticism is an evaluative or corrective exercise that can occur in any area of human life” (Wikipedia. I liked that definition) The dictionary says “the analysis and judgement of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work”.  Criticism is an evaluation or analysis of the MERITS AND FAULTS of a work. Criticism can be a good thing! While it’s true we usually focus on the faults, I also see that as a way to make correction. I may not talk as much about what’s good (then people think your full of yourself!) but I certainly make mental notes about what works and I repeat that!!  

When it comes to my art I’m a recovering perfectionist. A perfectionist is someone for whom anything below perfection is unacceptable. (My lose definition) The standard for that perfectionism usually comes from within and in art that is really pretty subjective. There can be no defined standard for “good art” because, as they say, art is in the eye of the beholder. That’s just really the bottom line. Perfectionism is not your friend because you will never be perfect and neither will your work.

I do realize that’s how my post comments may look. Negative and critical. And on the surface they may be. But go with me here: the difference between perfectionist Michelle and critical Michelle is that perfectionist Michelle would never post anything that wasn’t up to her perfect standards. Mostly because every time she thinks she does make something close to perfect she has to put the bar a little higher next time! Standards are set of course arbitrarily by her as she defines for herself what perfect art is. She is judge and jury. And therefore, she never posts a thing! You see, the perfectionist stands as the only person whose standards matter. Her standards my be swayed by the opinions of others, but mostly the perfectionist blows off praise and opts to focus on what's wrong. (And this is why it seems my post are self critical. )

 Critical Michelle on the other hand has made peace with the fact that she’s never going to make perfect art. She understands that art is expression and that it looks different on any given day and with any given work. Critical Michelle welcomes feedback from others. And not just the good stuff, but she takes that in with thanks. She actually seeks out others whom she respects and ASKS for critical feedback to help her grow as an artist. She knows that she is not the only good judge of art. She understands that she may not see the good or bad as clearly as another person and welcomes the fresh perspective. She is not lonely because she welcomes others into her art!! 

Here’s the point I am making about the above post: I critique every work I do. It’s a habit, and I don’t think its a bad one. I look at what’s good and what’s bad and I try to learn from it. I’m pretty comfortable that I can make great art one day and crap the next—using the same tools and techniques!! Experience has taught me that my chances of success—or my version of it—rise the with every piece I make. And that each one teaches me something I can take to the next one. So, my comments reflect frustration as I am trying to use tools and techniques that take me out of my comfort zone and push me in new directions. Using nothing but ink is a stretch for me because Perfectionist Michelle still loves to use an eraser!! And I really was uncomfortable with it. Which is funny, because that’s what it would look like if I used a pencil too!  Pencils-and more so an eraser-is  like a bike with training wheels. Those lines would still be used but I’d know that once I reached my goals, I could erase all those lines that guided me to the finished drawing. Make sense? 

In the end I’m not saying there should be no standards for your work but I’m also not going to tell you to reach for some ideal or standard. I think you are doing  that if what you are creating gives you joy, fulfills you in some way, says something about you or expresses something within you. In art like life, everyone is in a different place. And every artist has something thing to say and different ways to express it. Who am I to judge that? So put perfectionist you in a closet and replace her with critical you. And just remember, critical you looks at both the MERITS and faults. There are always both. Use both to move forward. And make art! And then-show others your art. It’s like anything else, scary at first, but once you do it a few times you realize people are usually less "critical" of your work than you are of your own.

Here are the rest of #inktober this week. This week I used a pen with no pencil drawings. It definitely stretched me! Have a great week!