Is " Thick Skinned Artist " An Oxymoron?

I'm pretty thick skinned.

But I do understand why you would ask.

Artists are just people. There are compassionate people, thick skinned people, rude people, insular people, scared people, depressed people, suicidal people, happy go lucky people, optimists, pessimists and psycopaths

All artists are just people

No - there are very many very sensitive artists who cannot abide having their work honestly critiqued. We all like praise - and some like it even if they know it's false and said so that 'no ones feelings will be hurt". Some of us develop thick skins - but it can have a negative effect if we don't sometimes learn from objective criticism of our work.

Early in life I developed rhinoceros hide - doesn't mean what was said or done didn't hurt inside - just, well, you learn to let it go like water off a ducks back.

I can't say for the oxy part, but the moron part, Count me in!

One of the "few things" I have learned in my wandering over the earth and meeting people form all over this ball of rock and water - most people are really just people - just like us. And there are all kinds of every kind. Except Brits - I'll just NEVER understand those folks at all (said with a grin @ Abbie).

*pokes out tongue*

Not if you were to describe me.
Now, if you ask me if "grown up children" is an oxymoron, I'd say yes, absolutely..with heavy emphasis on the moron!

HAHAHAhaaaa... Mary Ellen

I shy away from giving critiques, simply because you never know if you say something negative, that person may stalk off in a huff yelling "foul, you don't even do this for a living, who are you to criticize? Your gallery is full of crap".

Seriously, I've seen people here ask for a critique and when you point out their horizon is crooked and the sky is blown out, they get defensive and run off yelling....

I love to see the reactions when Mike jumps into those threads. It ranges from the person running off and disappearing into the darkness to thanking him profusely for his help. It's actually pretty interesting.

sadly, mary, some don't know the difference between critique and compliment...and are hoping for the latter only.

i'm not sure where the term really comes from. i'm pretty dead about my own work. if you like it - good. if you don't, also good. as long as i like it. its not worth getting worked up over.

---Mike Savad

I hear ya, Mike. You kind of hinted (for you it was hinting) about a few things I had in my gallery by saying "I don't know why anyone would buy...." LOL. I like the photos you were referring to so I kept them up. They were obviously not your cup of tea....that's fine with me ;-).

just because i don't like them, doesn't mean someone else wont' like them. for me the image has to catch an eye. and if it doesn't it doesn't. i told someone i don't know who would ever buy an image of a swamp. and like 2 weeks later, some guy buys like 30 swamps... so you never know, i can only say what i can say. though it's sad that when people come here, ask for a critique, they simple close their account and it's like the first thing they think of. probably due to the shock of hearing something other than -- oooh girl those are great shots, you could make a lot of money selling them online....


---Mike Savad

Yes, it's sad. Some of them who have come in here do have talent, but they need to improve. I know I have improved greatly since I've been here (don't say it Mike LOL), but at the first hint someone else might not think their work is the greatest thing since sliced bread, they run for cover.

Ok, now Mike you have to know that we are sitting here picturing... "oooh girl those are great shots...." coming out of you wearing a bunny suit and teeth.

Thank you so much for the laugh... just lucky I wasn't drinking orange soda just then.. Orange soda really burns when it comes out of your nose. ;O)

hahahaha Bob.
I haven't had orange soda since I puked it up as a kid..and yes, it burns coming outta yer nose!

but it's far funnier through the nose... try it with A1, when that hits your throat just right, it does an amazing job of gagging you. it's not like i breathed it in, just hit an odd spot.

---Mike Savad

you mean the steak sauce? Yea that has a good bit of vinegar.

you think this costume is unusual, you see the next one.


---Mike Savad

yeah, vinegar, pepper and probably other steaky agents.


---Mike Savad

Let me guess... Cinco de Mayo ????? please, please ;O)

I knew if I let you guys alone, it would get to food.

One bit of advice, don't mention "Chocolate"...

Can't be liable for how Marlene will react to that word.

cinco de Miko - you spelled it wrong.


---Mike Savad

Clever rabbit.. ;O)

I do love a good Mike critique. Keep telling them what they need to hear! And really, what kind of person takes offense to a man dressed as a bunny that leaves chocolate, colored eggs filled with goodies and a proper critique under your pillow?

Artists bare their souls to the world. They invite people to see deep into their thoughts. Developing a thick skin is a necessary survival technique. Anyone working in a creative field has to be ready for lots of rejection.

Re:...A Fine Artist (American,no less) dressed in a Bunny Outfit???

Well, I don't care what others may say about Mike Savad, I'll always been a rabbit fan.

How much damage can he do with just those 2 front teeth?....A chomp here a chomp there.

Lettuce...Remember that he's doing it for our sake.

So a Morning Toast to Mike Savad.....HARE! HARE! HARE!

Now this begs the question...(what the hell does that mean?)

Is "Bunny Outfitted Artist" an Oxymoron??

If not,. is being dressed as "Babe the Blue" an Oxy Moronic Act??

Just a Yoke!..Just a Yoke!!

By the way, I'm copying this. For fear it might NOT PRINT

Edward,

You wrote....."Artists bare their souls to the world. They invite people to see deep into their thoughts. Developing a thick skin is a necessary survival technique. "

Isn't "Baring one's soul" and "Developing a thick skin" contradictory?

An "Oxymoron" perchance??

Thick skin is a developed skill hopefully taught to us in childhood. One must put themselves in a an atmosphere to exercise that very important virtue. Not learning that skill can cause a slew of problems in adulthood like combativeness, unrest, depression and anxiety problems with relationships etc. Taking everything personally is definitely an unhealthy and unbalanced way to live.

How is it contradictory? Its the opposite.

Baring one's soul requires developing a thick skin for protection.

Or one can keep all of their creativity hidden from the world and sally forth with no worry about anyone not liking their work.

@Roger, I don't see it as oxymoron. First the artist decides to bare his/her soul via painting, sculpture, whatever. Then the artist brings the art into the public eye. Friends, family and public. Here is where the thick skinned comes in, "opinions" of the work, good and not so good. Perhaps no sales, no one wants it in their galleries etc. So in order to continue to bare one's soul, to continue their art, they have to become thick skinned.

Yes, Melissa, I completely agree with that. I've had co-workers that couldn't take even the slightest ribbing about anything. They take offense and don't talk to you for a week. Normal joking around, not mean stuff. You often wonder what happened to these people to make their egos so fragile.

I was always afraid of looking stupid. I finally got over that and when I screw up at work, I simply raise my hand (metaphorically) and say "yup, my fault". I WILL, however, defend myself fiercely when I'm blamed for something that is not my fault.

As far as my art - love it or leave it. I love it, but if EVERYONE tells me a piece is crap, I will listen and take it down. No shame, denial or defensiveness involved.

Roger - I was going to mention we all seem to be obsessed with food here, but I didn't want to get your thread too far off track.

RE:...Thick Skinned

Definition:

thick-skinned (thĭk′skĭnd′)
adj.
1. Having a thick skin or rind.
2. Not easily offended.
3. Largely unaffected by the needs and feelings of other people; insensitive.

Is that what "Art" is all about?

To me, "Art" is being sensitive to the needs and feelings (and the culture) of other people...Acting and/or reacting accordingly.

Behind every opinion is a whole slew of motivations. Someone might be trying to make you feel better or worse. Someone might be jealous, They might be biased towards a certain type of work. They might have no arts background. They might be trying to assert their power as the taste maker in the group. Etc etc. The defining opinion comes from the buyer. They are the ones willing to fork over hard earned cash for the work.

A little aside story:

Recently I went to a sports banquet with my son. They gave out an award for "most improved". On the ride home my son confessed that he thought when they were describing him and was surprised when it went to another team member. I pointed out that the other kids father had volunteered at practices, you never know all of the factors that come into these decisions. All you can do is your best and hope that someone notices but at least you always know yourself - no award is needed to congratulate yourself for a job well done.

Hmmm I see your point Roger - 2 and 3 don't seem to jive.

I suppose the reality is that being an artist is only one part of the equation. The other part is being a business person.

roger, when definitions are listed like that, it is usually in preferred definition order....
I have never considered a thick skinned person to be #3...
Number #2 is on the money for me.
My English teacher in 10th grade once told us that defining a word by using it, is not a definiton, so #1 is out.

As an artist, I don't realyl give a whit what anyone thinks of my work...it will continue to be my work, regardless of it's reception from others. As long as I am an expressionist painter, I will be painting what I need to paint, not what I'm trying to guess what others want to see. And as I have said scores of times here, for me, it is about the process..the product is just a nice perk...so if someone likes the perk, so be it....all that matters to me is the process of painting.

@ Melissa - Right on, Right on!

Generally speaking... I am in full agreement with Marlene re's numbers 1, 2 and 3. Also in lock-step with her about my not giving a flying rat's patootie what anyone thinks about my work with the exception of one person who is my mentor. She might not like the subject matter but she doesn't need to, to mentor me with my painting. I am going to do what I do when I do it whether anyone likes it or not.

I learned a long time ago from my then young son who told me when I grounded him, "I do what I want when I want when I become an adult." He grew into being his own man, and a fine one at that... but the point is that truer words were never spoken... people who care what other people think allow other people's opinions to hold them back.

--Donna Proctor

#1 Haven't tried slicing any skin of late but it is pretty thick on the soles of the feet or is it..... souls!

#2 Once in a while an offense cracks me up.:)

#3, Agree with Marlene.....(doesn't count)......every artist must have some sensitivity, that is if they really, ahhh, are artists.

Re:.."not giving a flying rat's patootie what anyone thinks "

Just wondering:

How does that jive with the "Networking" we are all told to continually partake in??

@ Roger - that's a good question.

My answer is this - for me, it doesn't and the need isn't there. I just recently started networking for fun. I'm one of the rare birds here, it seems - since I don't do a lot of networking and I don't sell any of my originals anymore. I am fortunate that my living does not depend on my selling my artwork. I love it when I have sales ...but for me, it's not the end all be all to life. :)

Heck, I'm probably going to start a Pinterest board with my art and photography (it's on my todo list) and anyone that was around when all the threads began popping up about Pinterest knows ...I was totally against it. Maybe I'm having a growth spurt ;)

--Donna Proctor

Well when you network you will get rejected. If you don't have a thick skin the first time you get rejected you may quit trying to network.

I'm thick skinned. I can take pretty much any criticism. But if I feel that someone is disrespecting me on purpose for their own amusement, I give them back the hate ten-fold- just on principle. Because I believe you should treat people the way you want to be treated.

--Roz Abellera

@ John - that's hard truth. All of my employers loved me because I didn't see rejection as rejection. It was simply an obstacle to the sale. I knew how to turn negatives into positives ... ask the right questions - learn more about what's blocking the sale. If in the end I was rejected, I moved onto the next potential client. I think people in this industry would do well to learn how to do some of that ... there would be less moaning and whining about not having sales because people would be acting in a more proactive way to getting what they want ...

Rejection is an obstacle screaming to be overcome ... and in business (everyone here is in business, right?) it's not personal.

@ Roz - that's an entirely different type of rejection... and I've done the same in similar situations.

Roger, it doesn't jive..they are two separate issues. i don't do social networking to seek approval..I do it to get my images out there in google's searches.

Re:...REJECTION

One must see the positive side for any rejection one may get



Now, when(?) "STRAY COOTS-The Saga of Modern Feralgenaria" finally gets published, I have the perfect quote

"IT'S A HOOT!!"- Playboy Magazine

Can someone tell me how one can gratefully accept praise and at the same time readily ignore criticism??

"Can someone tell me how one can gratefully accept praise and at the same time readily ignore criticism??"

Honestly, I don't know how to handle praise. I mean I say "thank you" because my mom raised me that way but part of me thinks "maybe they're just being nice". So, if anything, I ignore criticism AND praise.

Honestly selling something is the best praise. People saying they like something is nice but it really doesn't DO anything. I don't make work for praise to begin with. I do not need it. I do it because I like doing it and if someone buys it, that is cherry.

Roger, we live selectively...people do it all the time.
Thaty's why they call it selective memory...we choose what to remember and what to frget.

Re: Accepting Praise and/or Criticism.

It's Who, How and Why, either praise or criticism is given , that determines whether one accepts,dismisses, or reacts to that praise or criticism.... To me, there is absolutely no difference between honest praise and honest criticism.

ok, i agree, but then how is it impossible to accept praise and ignore criticism...seems to me, it's a case by case decision.....

Re: Dismissal

Just wondering,

The connection between "Ignore" and "Ignorant"???

Clearly, they have the same root, but with concept languages ( which English is not) all words with the same root are connected.
When i choose to ignore someone, it is usually for a very good reason...and not because I am ignorant. Quite the other way around...I finally got smart enough to no longer stay engaged or buy the bs.

My mother always said and it is held true for me today. " Have the sense of a cow, chew the grass and spit out the sticks". Just move on from the perpetual pessimists and if they get to you that bad. The beauty of the internet is we can always /block. Those have been valuable tools for me that I have used on our fellow humans (not that often) that were raised without learning how to communicate maturely via internet.

the double post gremlin got me.

If you put paint on an elephant's feet, will you have a pachyderm painting!?!

Hey Jack,

If you put paint on the feet of a dromedary, do you get camel toe art?

::::::::::::smacking roger::::::::::::::::