Patrick Howe-Post Personalism
  • Home
  • ABOUT POST PERSONALISM
  • PORTFOLIO
    • ARTIST STATEMENT
    • EGO-EATING BACTERIA 2019
    • CONSCIOUSNESS PROJECT, 2018
    • POST PERSONAL PROJECT, 2017
    • VIDEOS
    • EARLIER SCULPTURE
    • EARLIER PAINTING
  • RESUME/BIO
    • RESUME
    • BIO
  • EXHIBITS / EVENTS
    • 2018 POST PERSONALISM PROJECT
    • 10/28/17, OPEN PRESENTATION
    • 7/15/17 GALLERY TALK
    • 2017 POST PERSONALISM PROJECT
  • Blog
  • Contact / sign up
  • COMPARING THE POST PERSONAL PROJECT
  • ARTWORK DESCRIPTIONS
  • WORDS
  • BOOK
  • 2 PRESENTATION 10/28/17
  • ESSAY - CONSCIOUSNESS AS LIGHT AND SPACE
  • OIL PAINTING CLASSES
  • AN ART THAT SPEAKS FOR ONENESS

Artistic Compliments

4/13/2019

0 Comments

 
When I critique my student's artwork I try to be straightforward and not mince my words. I also compliment them frequently in a positive way because I wish to affirm their suspicion that their creative efforts are worthwhile. By complimenting them I am not flattering or pandering, I am validating and supporting their discovery and excitement about making art. So compliments are very useful in that way.

However, even some accomplished artists, who no longer need validation, like to be complimented too, just for having talent, which is a different thing. Compliments make him feel good, even important. It feeds the ego.

The true artist—the artist who is interested in deeper things, will appreciate and enjoy another artist's artwork, but is never impressed because another artist is talented. Neither is he impressed with his own talent, nor depressed by the lack of it. Because he is not interested in personal comparisons. He is only interested in the dynamic creative flow that he is involved in. And he enjoys seeing how that same amazing movement expresses through other artists. His attention is so fully absorbed in that, there is no room for petty comparisons or boasting.

Now, the worst thing a person could say about your artwork is not that it is bad, ugly or amateurish. Surprisingly, comments like that are often very useful, especially if they are thoughtful and informed. And 
if the work inspires an engaging conversation then that would be an indirect compliment . However, one of the worst thing a person could say to an artists while looking at their art is “Gee, you are so talented! What does it feel like to be so talented? I have no talent whatsoever. I could never do what you do . . . “ In other words, whatever beauty or interest the viewer initially saw in the artwork is instantly obliterated by their ego talking about itself in comparison to another person, the artist. They have completely missed the gift the artist has offered them. On the other hand, one of the best compliments comes without words. It is to observe a viewer's quiet absorption and curiosity as they look at your artwork. In that moment you are watching them experience what you experience as the artist. You want them to experience that same timeless curiosity about the world, without any thought of themselves or another.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Patrick Howe, Artist, Author, Educator, Electronic Music Composer

    Blog Categories
    (To search entire website use the search box on the home page)

    All
    Agnus Martin
    Alan Watts
    Being
    Consciousness
    Creative Process
    Eckhart Tolle
    Morris Graves
    Originality / Inspiration
    Post Personalism
    Presence
    Self / Ego / Identity
    Spirituality & Art
    Transformation
    Universality

    Archives

    April 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    November 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

PATRICK HOWE - POST PERSONALISM

Artist, Author, Electronic Music Composer
patrick@patrickhowe.com
​Seattle, WA
© Copyright 2019, All rights reserved
  • Home
  • ABOUT POST PERSONALISM
  • PORTFOLIO
    • ARTIST STATEMENT
    • EGO-EATING BACTERIA 2019
    • CONSCIOUSNESS PROJECT, 2018
    • POST PERSONAL PROJECT, 2017
    • VIDEOS
    • EARLIER SCULPTURE
    • EARLIER PAINTING
  • RESUME/BIO
    • RESUME
    • BIO
  • EXHIBITS / EVENTS
    • 2018 POST PERSONALISM PROJECT
    • 10/28/17, OPEN PRESENTATION
    • 7/15/17 GALLERY TALK
    • 2017 POST PERSONALISM PROJECT
  • Blog
  • Contact / sign up
  • COMPARING THE POST PERSONAL PROJECT
  • ARTWORK DESCRIPTIONS
  • WORDS
  • BOOK
  • 2 PRESENTATION 10/28/17
  • ESSAY - CONSCIOUSNESS AS LIGHT AND SPACE
  • OIL PAINTING CLASSES
  • AN ART THAT SPEAKS FOR ONENESS