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Dear friends,
As I see it, we all value honest, direct, insightful feedback, yet it is frankly quite painful to be "dissed" in public. "Public" includes an open internet forum such as this one where we all use our real names.
There are a few cherished artists (not necessarily on this Forum) who I can count on to tell me exactly what's gone wrong and where in my work. They can be blunt - very! - but they don't go public with harsh comments. (Incidentally, the worst kind of artist "friend" you can have does exactly the opposite: says nice things to your face but trashes you publicly... as if you won't find out about it. This is an ugly fact of life in the art world.)
I strongly suggest that anybody wanting a serious critique should do some private emailing to an artist whose work you admire, or whose comments are sensitive, accurate and insightful. This Forum contains plenty of those artists. People will be more honest in their critique if they know they won't embarrass you publicly. (And if you can't be criticized privately, you have to question whether you seriously want to improve.) I, for one, am always very flattered when someone wants my help with his work. And I've done my share of emailing around for private advice.
Jeff and Minh, you are two very funny guys.
Beth, I have never before in my life been called 'vivacious'! Must be the photo.
Best wishes,
Linda
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