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Message
Posted
It depends what you mean by 'professional'. I have entered my work in an exhibition in the past where they have asked this question and in the guidelines the criteria includes whether you regularly undertake commissions and whether you teach. Well I have to tick both these boxes and I ended up by being described as a professional.
However whilst I have a hobby which pays for itself I certainly do not regard myself as a professional and I certainly couldn't exist if I relied on the meagre income. I paint because I enjoy it - love it - and for no other reason.
There are some contributors to this site whose knowledge and ability is way up there with any so-called professional and I also know some professionals who in my opinion are far less knowledgeable and not accomplished at sharing knowledge and advising others. To put people in boxes surely creates create false boundaries.
Posted
Critique' s are always subjective,as Michael says there are "amateurs " on this site who's opinion I value far more than so called professionals . The work on here is also so varied both in talent and ability if someone has asked for an opinion or useful suggestions , fine , but I can see a few noses being put out of joint if submissions were critiqued ad lib.<div>I also think the whole ethos of this site would be changed. </div>
Posted
I should have added that if you want a crit then you must ask for it - many feel a bit awkward (me included) to offer comments and suggestions which were not requested for fear of causing offence. Regrettably some, who receive them unsolicited, fail to see the benefits and are easily offended.
Posted
Elizabeth Kilpatrick - 2013-06-01 2:41 AM I am wondering if the site attracts any professionals to critique of our work from time to time.Of my experience of 'critiques' by profesional artists, at art socities I've belonged to in the past, has only been very poor. The same as when a Michelin star chef tells us the correct way to cook something, professinals of any stripe have to comply with an established criteria to make their living. No matter how 'good' or creative something is, if it falls outside that criteria, to the 'expert', it is wrong.bestMick
Posted
I have met people who have started in a group and have been painting for a couple of weeks who think they are a professional.. and take any criticism as an affront
and hate your guts if you make the slightest remark about their painting, maybe they are a rembrandt .they say they are, I don't know ..they don't suffer from being shy at coming forward and being pushy,/ I tread very carefully on this site one misplaced comment and your an enemy for life,I have enough of them I don't need any more
Posted
maybe I am a little to harsh in my choice of word. ,but giving an honest comment on any web site leaves you open to another persons opinion that may disagree with you ,and most people deliberately flatter a painting , just to not upset . or to get a favorable comment back on there own painting,,,as Robert says it is to easy to upset a person, no matter how innocent your meaning is.I just don't know the answer to this, is it possible to criticize without hurting a persons feeling ?, maybe if asked I should reply,"its only my opinion but maybe i would approach it this way"
Posted
I also am certain you have no enemies on here. It is stupid to dislike people and make enemies anywhere, let alone the stupidity of making enemies of little electronic signals on the internet that are the members, and are really not known. As for criticism, I'm happy to read what anyone thinks of my work, good or bad, as long as I can learn from it. If someone writes, that's rubbish, or stinks, the comment is of no value.bestMick