Comments on: Sucky Is In The Eye of The Beholder http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/ Your Source for All Things Geek -- Comics, Movies, Music and, well, Geeks. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:27:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Andrew Foley http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5184 Andrew Foley Tue, 29 May 2007 05:24:08 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5184 A couple years back, Tiina got to meet Marv Wolfman. As a huge fan of the Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans era, this was a big thrill for her, and she told him as much--I forget her exact words, but the gist of it was, "I think you're great." To which he replied, "You're deluded, but thank you." Now, I don't know Marv really well or anything, but I'm about 99% sure he didn't mean any insult to T; Tiina, being of a sensitive and paranoid persuasion, is not so sure. I've never been much good at taking compliments myself, but I'm trying to learn to accept them with the good grace in which they're offered. But while I think there is a tendency in creative types to be their own worst critics (often, though not always, as a means of defusing potential criticism from outside sources), I also think there's a certain group that turns to self-deprecation as a way to keep one's feet on the metaphorical ground. It takes a certain amount of ego to show one's creations to the world and more to ask the world to pay for the privilege. It could be temptingly easy to let the compliments go to one's head, and start acting like the compliments are a right, not a privilege. And from there, it's a short trip to assholehood. Foley A couple years back, Tiina got to meet Marv Wolfman. As a huge fan of the Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans era, this was a big thrill for her, and she told him as much–I forget her exact words, but the gist of it was, “I think you’re great.”

To which he replied, “You’re deluded, but thank you.”

Now, I don’t know Marv really well or anything, but I’m about 99% sure he didn’t mean any insult to T; Tiina, being of a sensitive and paranoid persuasion, is not so sure.

I’ve never been much good at taking compliments myself, but I’m trying to learn to accept them with the good grace in which they’re offered. But while I think there is a tendency in creative types to be their own worst critics (often, though not always, as a means of defusing potential criticism from outside sources), I also think there’s a certain group that turns to self-deprecation as a way to keep one’s feet on the metaphorical ground.

It takes a certain amount of ego to show one’s creations to the world and more to ask the world to pay for the privilege. It could be temptingly easy to let the compliments go to one’s head, and start acting like the compliments are a right, not a privilege. And from there, it’s a short trip to assholehood.

Foley

]]> By: Ron T Haugen http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5183 Ron T Haugen Tue, 29 May 2007 02:56:26 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5183 I understand your viewpoint as I have a son who is an excellent artist who won't take instruction and little advice, he just goes his own way. Not at all like the usual artist he won't lightly pencil a start with graceful strokes he attacks it like a linebacker with the quarterback in his sights every time. He does however seem to love criticism as this seems to improve his art everytime. Having said this I see the opinions expressed as both very valid but don't be so hard on yourself just look at Ben Templesmiths art and he seems to be extremely popular. Remember all the cliches like beauty is in the eye of the beholder and future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and on and on ad nauseum. Remember you are putting your self as in your very essence on display to the public and this in and of itself is a very gutsy play. The best thing you can do is to put your stuff out there and know it is your best stuff and let the chips fall where they may. Also it's not always for everyone but everyone is entitled to an opinion even if it's wrong. Very inspired posts to those who answered the bell. I understand your viewpoint as I have a son who is an excellent artist who won’t take instruction and little advice, he just goes his own way. Not at all like the usual artist he won’t lightly pencil a start with graceful strokes he attacks it like a linebacker with the quarterback in his sights every time. He does however seem to love criticism as this seems to improve his art everytime.
Having said this I see the opinions expressed as both very valid but don’t be so hard on yourself just look at Ben Templesmiths art and he seems to be extremely popular.

Remember all the cliches like beauty is in the eye of the beholder and future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and on and on ad nauseum.

Remember you are putting your self as in your very essence on display to the public and this in and of itself is a very gutsy play. The best thing you can do is to put your stuff out there and know it is your best stuff and let the chips fall where they may. Also it’s not always for everyone but everyone is entitled to an opinion even if it’s wrong.

Very inspired posts to those who answered the bell.

]]> By: Angie, OMG it's http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5179 Angie, OMG it's Thu, 24 May 2007 02:31:51 +0000 http://www.canadiangeek.org/blog/2007/05/23/sucky-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/#comment-5179 Isn't the unofficial artist's credo "I am an artist, therefore I suck?" I agree, though. We are all our own worst critis, and as such we overlook what other people might be thinking or feeling - there are a lot of people out there who can't even draw stick figures. Therefore, no matter what level of skill your work is at, it's going to impress someone! We are all talented in our own ways, too. I used to be completely jealous of my friend's talent, and I'd always tell her how much better than me she was and how envious I was of her skills. She would just smile at me and say "No, dear, you and I have our own different styles - you're the best at yours!" Thinking back on that, I really like how she viewed things and I try to see it from that perspective. Now, whenever I have doubts about my skill, I just tell myself "Well, I'm doing the best that I can, and I have my own talent!" Great post, Bri. Isn’t the unofficial artist’s credo “I am an artist, therefore I suck?”

I agree, though. We are all our own worst critis, and as such we overlook what other people might be thinking or feeling - there are a lot of people out there who can’t even draw stick figures.

Therefore, no matter what level of skill your work is at, it’s going to impress someone! We are all talented in our own ways, too.

I used to be completely jealous of my friend’s talent, and I’d always tell her how much better than me she was and how envious I was of her skills. She would just smile at me and say “No, dear, you and I have our own different styles - you’re the best at yours!”

Thinking back on that, I really like how she viewed things and I try to see it from that perspective. Now, whenever I have doubts about my skill, I just tell myself “Well, I’m doing the best that I can, and I have my own talent!”

Great post, Bri.

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