Ever feel you have to prove yourself

artieanna

As a painter I find working on abstract art is what I do and enjoy, however I find that when relations, neighbours drop into my studio, alot of them just don't get the art I make.

I find that I have to show them portraits or "pretty" paintings to get anyone to say "gosh thats really good". I find it so annoying as I know as soon as someone walks away after seeing my "modern art" they will wonder what is she at, at all or shes not really very good or anyone could do that...

I feel I have to prove my ability by doing traditional work, while not really showing my true modern works.

Anyone else ever feel like this?????:mad:

Aisling&M

I totally get it.
I have just accepted now that some people wont get it. I wouldn't class myself as a modern artist but I usually paint in a way that makes some uncomfortable. I recently did a very sad/emotional piece that I was afraid to show friends and family who would usually say " why don't you paint something happy? " lol

It's just important to not expect things that are impossible from certain people.
If a gifted mechanic showed me a beautifully restored car I could appreciate that but I'd give him a blank stare and try and appear interested under the bonnet. BUT i wouldn't understand it and couldn't comprehend the intense work required to re-build the engine.

Hope that makes sense?

Anyway, just keep the balance and show your work to those you know will be able to appreciate it.

snorlax

Welcome to the world of the artist..all my folks want are horses and cottages and stuff but I'm happiest painting abstract things! They've even gone as far to say my work is weird .

I love seeing other artists abstract work though

artieanna

Yes I agree with ye I think that I will have to accept it, its soo annoying though.

My studio is relatively new and people are curious (nosy) and want a look, I feel I have to give them the "tour" when I'd rather not. The art is personal to me and I feel I am being judged unfairly. But if I didn't let them in I would be considered "odd." (I probably am a bit anyway:D)

Its also great to talk to fellow artists and art students, at least you can have a conversation with someone who gets what I'm talking about.

elven

I felt the same way with my photography a lot of the time, if you don't shoot sunsets/landscapes/flowers/people then you get the quizzical looks and the furrowed brow as they try to work out "why did she take a picture of that???"... I don't show them anymore :rolleyes:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

I paint mainly fantasy nudes. The first reaction is nearly always a frown. It's not that they don't get it, it's just that... wouldn't I feel much better painting some nice landscapes?

Fvck that. The subject matter chooses the artist, not the other way around.

snorlax

I did some really nice nudes lately and my parents were'nt impressed at all so for a joke I used some bluetac and hung them up in the hall as a kind of a collage of nakedness! some of the relatives liked them mind you and the girls at work!

artieanna

elven wrote: »

I don't show them anymore :rolleyes:

I think thats a pity. People in general just don't get abstract compositions and nudes, oh thats sooo no noo red faces all round blaah:mad:

You really captured energy and movement there snorlax.......