On the acceptance of criticism
 

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome rathes outgrabe.

The opening lines of a poem: "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.

There are certain truths...

The first truth: I want my paintings to be loved, adored and coveted. I want people to arrive in a van with streamers, like the Publishers Clearing House, prepared to whisk me away to a ticker tape parade.

The second truth: It

The acceptance of criticism
 

"... It seems to fill my head with ideas -- only I don't know exactly what they are."

Mike, that was absolutely delightful, and is one of my favorite poems. (Should I admit that?) I am not one of the Raths in the poem, I liked the poem before I met the Rath. Whoa, maybe I met the Rath because I liked the poem.

You have penned my thoughts! (Except for "Am I a man?") I too am uncertain and reluctant to actually be scrutinized in a public forum. But taking the step to actually expose my work can only bring about improvement (at least that's what I keep telling myself).

So how does it feel to slay the Jabberwock? Are you chortling in your joy?

Gina

Hear, Hear!

That was fabulous!

Geri

Wonderful!

Here's wishing you a frabjous day. (Callooh! Callay!)

This ones a printer
 

I love your post Mike. Next time my finger shakes as I go to press "submit post" I'll come and read it again.

Jean

Mike,

Thank you so much for this post. I always make a point of viewing and sharing in your ideas and thoughts. I have never observed you serving up the lengthy self validating essay. You are crisp and real.

I too have learned more from this forum in 6 months than in several years of books and tapes, and I share your emotions here about criticism. The NEED to have your work viewed, and the FEAR of having your work viewed. Thank goodness we have this safe soft place in which to practice the art of acceptance.

Thanks to all,

Being a sensitive male and opposed to violence, I've not been able to completely slay my Jabberwock. She visits me regularly.

It was a fun thing to write. About five years ago I told my daughter (about 12 yrs old) that I would give her $50 to spend on vacation if she would memorize this poem "Jabberwocky" (the author Lewis Carroll also wrote Alice in Wonderland). We went to Myrtle Beach and she stood up and recited it perfectly in front of a room full of people. Oh I was, and still am, a proud papa.

You're a braver man than I am, Gunga Mike. You'll notice that I have yet to submit a work for critique.

Jabberwocky has always been one of my favorites; I memorized it when I was around your daughter's age and sometimes declaim it still for my granddaughters' amusement. Later I went to a private school where memorization was also valued and I learned some Shakespeare passages there. Making a child memorize literature like that means that they'll always have those lovely thoughts with them! I hope your daughter can still spout "T'was brillig...."