Brock wrote:. . .But also be sure you ask someone you know has the skills and ability to provide you with a valid critique to teach you through the process. . .
Who would that be? Brock
To whom do I address my requests for critique?
For many of us, our community of artists is here, online. People post images of their work for different reasons, and probably don't get the kind of response they are looking for. It is hard to "read" someone's request for feedback in the ethernet - do they want praise, encouragement, or honest critique? The flip side of that is that critique given online without any visual or physical stimulation (pat on the back, smiles, etc) can be difficult to receive. My experience is that online communication is often lacking in emotional content and thus more easily open to misinterpretetation/projections.
When I have encountered critique sessions at the end of a class they have usually been lacking in the depth I look for, focussing on technique rather than content. Critique of technique is important, especially in classes that teach technique. But when we move beyond acquiring techniques and begin to work at developing our "voice", critique of content becomes increasingly important.
As an aspiring artist I believe critique is an important part of my growth. Critique is hard to find where I am, and I live in an area full of glass artists. Some that I have asked for critique have been reluctant to offer it. Others I would not ask because I would not trust that they could be honest, or that they would have the capacity to critique.
I think it is just as difficult to find someone online to critique my work. I am reluctant to offer work up for critique in an open forum because I don't trust that I would get the hard appraisal I am looking for. I think trust is important. If I don't trust you to be honest with me and if I don't trust in your ability to critique my work, I won't benefit from your appraisal of my work.
On the other hand, if I am able to discern who would be competent at critiquing, I am reluctant to "pester" people I do trust by sending them images and requests for critiques. Maybe I am projecting, but I am sure there are many posters and lurkers who aspire to growth but are not quite sure how to ask, nor whom to ask, for the personal attention a critique requires.
What do y'all think?
Barbara