Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janel Maples
I was one of those artists who thought I had valid reasons why I didn't paint from life but Sharon's comments, scolding me ( I took them personally) for making excuses and cheating myself, really got to me
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What's cool is that you made a conscious, objective decision to do something other than let the challenge merely harden you against the messenger (or just harden your resolve to keep that studio door closed to visitors at all times). Just this week I've heard a teaching to the effect that it's important that we make room for feedback and its instructional value, in part because to the extent that we bristle at what has been said or find the feedback offensive, then to that extent there is likely some truthfulness in the comments.
Ain't it the truth? If someone says something incorrect or inappropriate, it's fairly easy to calmly correct it or explain the misapprehension. But in my experience, if somebody nails me by bringing light to bear on a bit of laziness or suspect practices or motivation that I thought I'd concealed pretty well (perhaps even from myself), my righteous indignation needle spins off the dial. It's all very embarrassing, sometimes.
It's also cool that you've written passionately and convincingly and at length to share this transformation -- and the obvious joy you've taken in it -- likely inspiring others to have a go at some life work. There are still going to be times when you're going to work from two-dimensional references, but you will now be increasingly able to do so fully informed about what that given subject in that light would look like "in real life" and make those sometimes subtle adjustments that you can "see" in your mind, and that make all the difference.
This is really fun, jazzy stuff. Thanks.