It’s difficult to hear how others perceive your work, but Marcula Stauffer explains how to use criticism to your advantage.
Artists have a tough job. Creating artwork usually comes from a place of vulnerability, passion, experience, or pain.
They constantly put heartfelt pieces of work on display for others to look at, judge, and critique.
As an artist’s career grows, that face to face criticism can turn into feedback from blogs, videos, social media posts, or gossip, and people don’t always have nice things to say.
After years of experience as an artist, Marcula Stauffer shares some insight into handling the thoughts and opinions of others without taking things too personally.
Don’t Force It
First and foremost, as an artist, the most important thing to ask yourself is – how do you feel about your artwork? If you believe the piece embodies your vision perfectly and expresses exactly what you wanted to express, then you are on the right path.
Marcula Stauffer suggests artists not ask strangers for their opinions (although opinions will still come) because it puts others in an awkward position and they’ll most likely tell you what you want to hear. When people want to freely comment, it can be a better opportunity to hear their true feelings and opinions.
Gather Input
Marcula Stauffer reminds artists to not get defensive or upset when faced with criticism because the reaction is usually unwarranted. As an artist, one should constantly be looking to expand their audience and show their work to as many people as possible. Gathering input over time from a wide audience can help you understand the significance and impact your art has on others overall.
Evaluate
Are these people sharing their personal tastes, or do they know about the art community and understand your genre? Hearing that people simply like or dislike can be discouraging. Marcula Stauffer recommends taking the more informed, objective comments to heart. Those who may not like a particular style can still recognize quality and craftsmanship.
Look at the Big Picture
Catalog the feedback collected over time instead of constantly reacting harshly to others, which can be emotionally draining and unproductive. Marcula Stauffer explains that when you compile data, patterns will emerge to clearly see how people react to certain things. It will help you as an artist make better decisions about how to present your artwork, yourself, and your passions for a successful career.
While using feedback to improve is a great strategy, Marcula Stauffer suggests staying true to yourself. The internet has connected so many people both near and far, allowing artists to find an audience that appreciates and understands their style.
