Everyone Sucks.

Amen brother!

Yes we do... While it's not easy, it's worthwhile. Artists are as harsh as anybody else. We are probably tougher on each other because our expectations are so high.
Glad you popped in, missed ya!

FAA has opened my perspective on the different types of art media out there. By viewing other artist artwork I have grown attached to different aspects of art and the meaning behind each artist creation. I love when a story or explanation is provided, because I can say, "now I understand where they are coming from!" I encourage positive feedback and comments for all artist. Let the artwork speak for itself--- there are many options for buyers and collectors of all walks of life. I agree what may catch one person's eye another will scroll or walk right past.

The process of creating art is a solitary experience.
'working together' isn't a fit.

Ronald, I want to support and help you spread your view as much as I can.
YES YOU SUCK, and I'll share that with all my FB friends.

Thanks Peter, supporting other artist efforts is more the point I think Marlene.

I always wondered if this grouping, posting, commenting and contesting really helps for any sale - or if it just keeps the FAA's purse in good shape

This is one of the issues that pop up. Not everyone cares that much about sales. I use this site for the web site so I can direct people to my work if need be and for the exchange of ideas with other artist. Sales to me are quite secondary and mostly done of originals from exhibition contacts.

I dunno, @Marlene.
I have painting parties at my house on random weekends where my friends bring a canvas or a pad of paper and can draw, paint, make whatever they want with my materials or the materials they bring... We support each other by sharing techniques and supplies, playing our favourite YouTube videos on AppleTV, and giving honest but constructive critiques.
Its a get together where we get pizza on our works and paint pretty much everywhere (I'm often finding it for days after) that starts early in the afternoon and stretches until I, bleary eyed, boot them out (like, 3am...)
But at these painting parties, everyone is improving in the positive, supportive, learning environment of my house. A few weeks ago, one friend was showing how to use bleach in her work. (Lemme tell you, I was terrified, but she managed to control the medium and didn't get it everywhere.) Weeks before that, I was showing people Photoshop techniques.
I think you can be as social in art as you wish to be...

Ronald you are spot on. I know a few other artists who are always involved in their community and the arts. People often ask, do you know so and so? I never do. I am just a guy making work in my studio. If you met me you would think I am very social but in fact I am quite anti-social when it comes to putting myself out.

I have noticed there is great sympathy here on FAA for members who have had their work "stolen" or people are mean to them. But the same people feel very free to attack some of our greatest artists in art history with the most ignorant comments. Fine not to like an artists' work but at least know something before you call them terrible names.

FAA has a no name no shame policy about members but I can call a famous artist any kind of vile name.

I have defintely achieved my life's work and become and old curmudgeon. Hey kid! Get offa my lawn!

Let's face it, everyone is so bleedin' opinionated...I love it...!!

Mr. Walker, I really like the painting attached to your post. If I had any money, I'd buy it and I almost never feel that way.

regardless of who 'critiques' your work - it is ONLY their opinion. sometimes someone's opinion makes you happy, some - well, ok, and some "they just don't see what a marvelous work of art it is". Whether it's me, Mike, or whoever - some famous art critic from NYC - it's our own likes, dislikes and our opinion.

Whether it will print or not - unless you are the person at FAA that examines it - you could be dead wrong. I saw one that was printed over 20 inches the other day - and I would have said it was too much noise - just looking at the thumbnail - but looking with the 'green box' it was worse - but it was sold - and apparently printed.

Lesley,
Sounds like fun..I'm not in learning mode...I am in working mode..I work at my art all day, so Ilike to walk away from it when I socialize....would much rather learn someting I know little about on my 'time off.'

My curator said, "working with artists is like trying to herd cats. No wait that's easier".

Pretty well sums it up.
-- mary ellen anderson

Ron,

I am a very harsh critic. As I make more art for the first time, I have become extremely respectful
of how hard many if not all artists actually work.

That does not mean I am less of a critic, but often my idea of what to criticize takes a back seat to
the wonder of how hard people will work.

Other than that, yeah we are a motley lot of artists.

Dave

I personally don't understand the competition thing. Everyone is different. Its not like we are each trying to sell a bag of m&ms.

I get that @Marlene.
For me, my work is 7-7 in an office designing movie props and signage on a computer. The parties are socializing for me 'cause they're pen/brush to paper/canvas - something I don't do when I'm working.
What I'm saying is that we artists get together and support our various works and each other. If I ever stopped learning new techniques and materials, I'd die of boredom and, as far as I can tell, the people who attend these parties are in the same boat...

I am working with a couple of artists, but it is more of a long distance collaboration. We get together via Come to Meeting and work on techniques, study artists from the past, critique our work all in our jammies.

I have worked with quite a few artist on cooperative projects, film, shows, etc. yes, there are times when artist compete with one another, that goes with any profession. I am working together with a couple of galleries and museum owners now and I don't consider them my competition. working with galleries, the whole idea is to bring in foot traffic. I like working with other artist. on the forums, it is nearly impossible to really know the artist one has dialogue with but put them in a cooperative situation, thatz where one truly learns their comrades' character.

Now Ronald, don't you spend too much time on these forums.....:}

"I personally don't understand the competition thing. Everyone is different. Its not like we are each trying to sell a bag of m&ms."

I agree! People have different tastes, live in different locations, like different colors, have different budgets, ... Maybe there is a competition, if you try to sell the same NASA pictures than others, but not if you have unique work. Bringing your unique work in front of buyers, is a different story ...

The underlying issue for most artists is their own business inexperience. Melissa and Colin are correct in that we really don't compete with each other. We create our buyers and art prices are inelastic but these beliefs are hard for most artists to grasp.

But artists in general are business world naive and because that has made them easily abused by the scammers they live in anger and paranoia as soon as any money talk starts and aren't capable of partnering with others.

-- mary ellen anderson

Competition is healthy. What ever the endeavor, those who compete come out on top. Waiting around to be discovered is just stupid. Not liking to complete can become an excuse , or a rationalization to keep one ignorant of their real potential.