Sad news at Mystic...

[Ngaire Winwood]

Congratulations Jimmie! The photos seal it for me too.

Your drawing speaks of passion, you have communicated this very well through your drawing, that is more obvious than in the otherworks you have showed us and the judges saw that too. Yes they did know what they were talking about.

Yep, no question. Well Done, those late nights are paying off. Your resume is also a winner.

I can't remember who said it but "Your life is a field of infinite possibilities that you alone can experience, create and be responsible for. It is simply just a thought away."

[Janel Maples]

Congratulations Jimmy.

[Kimberly Dow]

Jimmie.

Honestly - your whining about winning Best of Show? If you were whining about the guy's comments I could understand, but you're not. Get a grip and stop with all the modesty before one of us slaps you silly.

When I win an award - I never inspect the other paintings too closely. Im not going to look for a reason to bring myself down. When I don't win an award - I look very carefully at the others and rip them to shreds in my mind. It may not be honest or gracious, but it keeps my mind where it needs to be to have the nerve to enter shows in the first place.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Thanks a bunch!

If you were whining about the guy's comments I could understand, but you're not.

I shouldn't whine about his comment, I should thank him. I'll take one honest critique over 100 false pats on the back any day. I remember posting something online and received only praises. One person wrote me and said he/she would expect better. It was good to hear.

I'll get over having my feelings hurt, I won't get over producing bad work. And so far, no one's ever hurt my feelings with a critique. The whole thing that happened at Mystic was more of a disappointment of expectation at the time. It was all me, I put no blame on anyone else for what I felt.

Get a grip and stop with all the modesty before one of us slaps you silly

I would so enjoy getting slapped around by you, Kim. tee-hee-hee.

Hmmmm, I'm sorry if that sounds bad.

[Garth Herrick]

Jimmie!

Again, Your drawing is powerful. It won best in show for you, fair and square!

Garth

[Kimberly Dow]

Jimmie - his comments weren't a critique, unless you left part of it out. He indicated he was suprised at the judge's choice. What possible benefit did that have towards improving your work?

There are those artists that are sensitive and critiques hurt. Then there are those who aren't happy until they are told they can do better. Balance is the key, in my opinion. Critiques are wonderful a lot of the time. Sometimes they are not. Learning to distinguish which ones apply - and what, if anything, they can do to help you is the key. Do you think this guy's eyes and opinions mean more than your fellow artists here on this forum? Do you think we are all just being nice? I dont think so.

Now smarten up and learn to take the compliments you deserve. Taking compliments graciously is just as important as learning to take critiques.

I can't recall the title a dominatrix has, or I'd sign my name with it.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Okay, I'm going to try to more specific on how this affected me, I don't want people taking things the wrong way.

My disappointment was based on thinking I had won with one piece, then finding out I had won with the other. For over a week, I was excited about winning with my first pastel. I was very surprised to find out it was for a drawing. If I were the judge, I would'nt have chosen the drawing. I do like the drawing, I swear! My paranoia had me believing that people looking at my drawing were thinking "that won!?" No one actually said it, I was just torturing myself.

The president said he liked the drawing, he just implied that he would have chosen something else. He did'nt critique it, I was grateful for his honesty. I don't think it's a matter of people just being nice by giving compliments, but when they told me it was a very nice drawing, they did'nt look sincere.

When I post here, it's great to hear compliments, but I'd also love to hear if there's anything that bothers them about it. That's why I do the WIP postings, to see if anyone picks something up before I finish. Ya know, I understand I can be whiny but my BIGGEST problem is not seeing what everyone else is seeing. I may look at a finished piece and wonder why would someone else like it? Why would someone want this to hang on their wall? I feel funny hanging them on my own wall.

I'm always looking to improve, to add maturity to my work, I can't settle, I simply want to be happy with it. I don't know how to do it.

So I'm sorry if anyone didn't understand my complaining and disappointment. I'm over it and am proud to have won. I'm now telling people that I've won (without guilt).

And again, thanks to everyone who has replied, it has meant a lot to me.