Criticism

Last week one of my very good friends told me my art is just not that unique, it never attracted him and I should stop wasting my time posting socially as I’m only feeding to the social media monster called Instagram without any hope of getting anything in return. If its just a hobby, keep doing it otherwise take a hard look on things.

And I kept waiting for that murderous rage I feel anytime someone criticizes me, let alone this harsh. And it never came. Not because I thought he was right, or I was wrong, or I think of very highly of my art, but because I didn’t care. And I was so pleasantly surprised.

Artists inherently are very sensitive and in this era, where everyone has an unsolicited advice, it’s important more than ever to develop a thick skin. Because, before anything i.e. sales, acceptance, business , fame , recognition, gallery representation, money; what comes first is the need to be creative. If that need to paint what is in your mind to canvas is stifled, nothing else matters. Art is a therapy and it should be taken as such. If side effects of creating art is getting appreciated for it, that should always be secondary.

Somewhere, every artist knows about the importance of just being creative, but its harder to ponder on it when one is in the storm of criticism. And I for one is so happy, that I’m getting there. By not giving it back to my friend, or not going incommunicado or not even getting slightly teary eyed, I’ve taken few steps towards maturity that I need to cherish my creativity.

I’m not saying I’ve attained Nirvana and I’ll always behave in this way. Posting about this is the proof that I’ve not forgotten what he said and it might or might not be used against him in future. But this was the first time, where I took a jarring comment and didn’t go crazy.

In fact it made me want to paint and after he left, paint I did. So what if he thinks its mediocre, or I didn’t make any sale yet, or nothing has come out of putting me out there. I’ll keep doing it, because I like it and I’m fortunate enough to not depend on my art for my livelihood. And even if I don’t do a single sale in my life, I would be ok and I’ll keep trying it. Now below is what I painted after getting this scathing criticism, its not finished, but that’s my answer. I’ll keep doing it and I’ll keep posting it!

Have a creative day!