FALSE MODESTY

my friend you are a wonderful talented artist and i may not comment on all of your work, but i still admire it..keep up the good work :)) k

Well, as always I think you are over-thinking this matter….lol. We love your art, and we love to read your journals, no matter if you are talking about yourself or another artist. Though RB is largely about support and socializing, it is also about learning to self-promote. You have to be able to do this if you want to sell any of your work. That is sad is some ways I guess. Of course you could just do art for the sake of doing it and never sell it, but like my house, art starts to take over your living space.
Also, I know I have said things negatively about my art before when I felt shy about it. Sometimes I just don’t see in it what others see, and this is totally symbolic of how we don’t see the beauty in ourselves that others see. This is not always false modesty as you call it, but rather honestly not being able to see the beauty in yourself and what you create.

Yes, I’m at that child stage, too. Although I’ve just been painting 3 years. Your examples of the tradesmen and false modesty, made me smile. Nothing wrong with blowing your on trumpet – it’s better than being over the top, falsely modest (as examples above).

I’m considering putting a couple of my paintings up for sale (for the first time) in a RSPCA shop. That’ll be the first time I’ve tried to sell them. I’m unsure of what price to put on them though.

Hi Dave,

I must admit its not something that consciously occurs to me much.. whether my work is better or worse than any one elses. I see this thing we do called art .. as an act of expression mostly.. and I remind myself that it is helpful not to think about better or worse. I allow myself , give myself permission not to be judgemental about what I do… I tend to go with what strikes a chord with me .. in others work. .. and what feels purposeful.. and with a energy to do and continue .. while working /creating. I do get tangled up sometimes… with some got to be good striving .. but on the whole I hope to be released from that sort of perspective.

I really like the optimism and humble approach that I sense you to have. You are approachable and encouarging. and your work srikes a chiord with me.. especially with its vividness. and the illustrative aspect and the slightly surreal’/dreamy element.

Hope you’re o.K with me sharing my thoughts here. Won’t be offended if you want to erase them here. Anything is O.k

I have enjoyed chatting anyhow.

Cheers now. Happy creating. Anna

Hi Dave,
Just looked at your work and I think that it’s amazing. No shame in admitting that you like your work. We all have different opinions about how aesthetically pleasing an image is. I just attended a local fashion parade and it was amazing how much talent there is in our small community. However, when the judging was finished I thought that I would have chosen totally differently. However I respected their decision, as I knew that they were looking at the pieces with a different perspective. You obviously have a bit of a fan club, as you have loads of comments. I think it’s wonderful that you go out and share your enthusiasm about being noticed. Keep it up. Cheers, Wendy

it is not all that easy!!

I love the moment of creating BUT really once done I loose connection competely/so strange

Keep doing what you do Dave !! Dont let others put you off. I self promote much more than you and there are a few reasons behind it. I see Art as an obviously visual thing (that requires to be seen)- I like getting feedback from others, it motivates me and sparks my creatiivity- I have recently decided to reduce my hours at work to do more with my art and follow my dreams (thanks to the encouragement of others and your own good self) therefore ofcourse I want to increase the possibility of sales.
I dont get comparisions to other artists tho, its like comparing the beauty of a snowflake against another. If I was to rate myself against some of the artists here, I might as well give up. So I wont apologise for promoting my art and acheivements and milestones and neither should you dear Dave- we are all on a wonderful journey here and when others have success it makes me very happy (very encouraged that good things do happen).

There is something of a fashion for artists to ‘humble’ themselves constantly… This comes from the commercial/advertising & studio worlds, where egos are very much effervescent and alive, yet also where jealousy, rivalry and envy happen to be much in evidence. Company heads WANT artists to come over as humble because they’re easier to manage and control when ‘meek’....
.
I always speak my mind Dave, and if I couldn’t comment constructively (or favourably) about a work, I’d not say much at all, because while some online forums actively encourage posting ‘honest’ criticism’ (which I prefer), here on RB it seems it’s far more the norm to reply with positive comments only, that praise, rather than criticise in ant way.

I agree – I don’t think there even iS any such thing as ‘better’ or ‘worse’ (except in ones view of their own work). Personally, I’d really like to see good in my own work, but by the time I’ve finished something (or can add no more), I start seeing the dreadful mistakes, so have to move on… (no chance of ego there!).
Big-headedness is the ultimate killer though (as you rightly say), as there can be no room for ‘improvement’ !!

Hi Mr. Dave :0).....I can’t speak for anyone but myself….first off i love your work…..why because it reminds me of brilliant book illustrations….and are so damn imaginative….I yearn to be able to get my imagination down….i haven’t accomplished that yet…and if frustrates me….secondly, and again i speak for myself…..to me my artwork are scribbles….massive scribble that come together to look like a pic….sometimes i like them…but usual i hate them….Why do i draw them…because at first they show a lot of promise…like this one is gonna come out the way i want….and i’m excited and i love the dreamlike feeling i get when i draw…..towards the end i realize that it’s not gonna be where i want it to…. and get frustrated and want to chuck it….and get angry with myself as i try to figure out what i did wrong….my family usually encourages me not to throw it away….and just park it for a while…..I think maybe i expect too much or i dont try hard enough…..but i know i can do better….get better….To me….my drawings are scribbles..they are fun to do….(for the most part) and seems to bring happiness to the person i drew or people around me…..I see no probs in seeking attention….when i draw…that’s kind of why i do it….but i’m not someone who yells look at me…..i wish i was…...:0)....i see nothing wrong with it….i guess…i’m afraid if i yell look at me….and people start to …..i might get that negative feedback u were talking about….I started drawing 4 years ago…..and i’m getting better at hearing critizisms…..but sometimes i think people do it not because they are trying to help…..even though they say they are…..Wow…i could go on very long about this topic….if u wish to discuss it at length B mail me. :0)....i remember u once told me that i’m to self depreciating….and u could be right about that…..i am very hard on myself….when i look at artwork…my own and others..i know what i like….i like your artwork….and sometimes…..i like mine…but with mine i’m not where i want to be (skill lvl) and until i am i wont be happy with it….i’m not sure if that answers your question or not…..all i can say is…i dont feel modest…i feel….sometimes okay with it…most times embrassed by it…..but almost always hopeful….that one day i will be at the place i want…if i dont give up….Like i said…..if u want to know more of how i feel about this we can talk in B mail….and again…i love the works u create…..take that for what it’s worth…. :0)my opinion means alot to me…can’t speak for anyone else

Hi Dave,

I think for some people it may not be false modesty when they talk their work down. I think sometimes it is humility. Sometimes, they really are not sure if their work measures up. We also have to realize that most artists are an extremely sensitive lot:) Then, I also take into consideration that some of us are damaged from horrible childhoods and are trying to rise above the madness:)))

Dave, sometimes I actually wonder if my work measures up. I am sincere in this. In trying to improve and get better I am at times, overly critical of my own work. I am learning to just be ‘me’ and not worry what others think. I am learning to stay away from negative, rude creepos!! I was an artist at our local gallery’s First Friday. I was admiring the ‘featured artist’ of the evening’s work and asking her questions about her painting techniques. I told her that the work on the other wall was my work. All of a sudden she became very rude and did not want to speak to me anymore. She went to the person beside me and was talking behind her hand and pointing towards me. I simply ignored her for the rest of the night. I do not understand this type of idiotic behaviour. These types of events help me to see that there will be people who really do not like my work or are threatened in some foolish way. Everyone is an individual and if all of our work was the same then it would be a boring place to be.

Thank you for letting me vent:)

Love you, my friend,

catherine

I would say a talented attention seeker,modest and soooooo humble. We all seek attention from time to time after all aren’t we just egotists,showing off(our work). We love to get praise. If we don’t what’s the point .

Just wanted to say thanks for the mention dave..very nice of you.
and good for you .. go for it !
..finally you’ve come to the point where you’ll do your art and you won’t really give a stuff if people criticise it or not..or whether they like it or not (beauty always being in the eyes of the beholder)..we can’t please everyone all the time…and I never listen to advice that is going to put me down when it comes to my art..never!! I am my oewn best critic..and I don’t care what anyone else says.
I think you’re just as talented as anyone else in here..we all do different work from one another..so it’s not a competition.

of course there are levels..there is good art ..great art and then there is masterful art ..so even if we can get to the good art step..then it’s all worth it.. and look at the people who comment and tell you that you’re doing is great and OK there are many who love what you do!

..as you know art is an expression of ones feelings and emotions about what we see and experience in life and also about those strange dreams and visions that come up in our minds ..there is no good or bad about that ..some artists are masters because they can express those things with clarity and light and ease I guess I would call it “grace”
don’t ask me how they get it ..maybe it’s natural or maybe it’s just practise..but whatever ..we can aspire to that level if we want to without undermining what we’ve already acheived…and you’ve acheived a lot..and so have I ..and so have we all…keep on keeping on..and I’m so glad that I helped you to see that it’s ok to love what you paint and draw…because it IS OK..and don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t..there is nothing really humble about the spirit.. the spirit is all powerful and wants to create …only the ego needs humbling .

(that’s from a course in miracles ) ..I never thought as jesus being humble.but he was powerful.. he did try to humble all egos though …his spirit and his creativity was awesome..and no one could put him down for it.. they tried but he rose again.

thanks again..keep on doing what you love ..we might not reach the masters stage ..but we can be bloody great apprentices as we enjoy and love doing what we do.
xxxooo

I think we all as artists, share being humble and always think of how we measure up with others,, I have learned through shows and displaying at galleries in my area,, I can not torture myself with that thought,, when I first showed 14 works of mine at a gallery,, the gallery care takers,, begged me too join them,, in there words,, my 3d art was so unique, they had never seen anything like them,, and was totally the opposite of the universe of what they had been displaying,, I was grouped with some of the most notarized artists here in the north country,, my works were on display for six months,, not one sold,, I gladly picked them up and took on the attitude that beauty is in the eye of the beholder,, I am an unknown,, but now I have myself out there,, the art/craft show,, I sold 12 of those 14.. and maybe it had too do with price,,, the gallery I had too mark up 30percent too cover their take,,, the art show I priced my original values,, they sold,, one lady was crying that her husband finally gave in and bought one of my seedpod dragonfly paintings,, if that didn’t pull at my heart strings,, I knew that painting was going too be hung up and appreciated,, so I have works,, I hate and some I love,, its amazing how the ones I hate have sold,, because they saw something I didnt,,, LOL,,, we are our own worst critics,, so I quit beating myself up and just keep on painting and creating because thats what brings me peace and joy,, Your words are wonderful,, and you know I am a fan of your works,, whether its your older stuff or not,, you have given me inspiration as I have told you,, and that alone is a high compliment,, if an artist inspires others too try something old,new, a diff. media,, whatever the challenge,, that is what feeds our minds and souls as artist looking at our world through different site and interpretation,, peace and love my friend and just keep the works coming,, the glory seekers will keep on seeking because it is all about them,, us humble ones will keep on sharing, and admiring and learning from each other,,, AMEN!!!!! LINMARIE

Dave..please go to this mans gallery and read his joural entry or writing called

” Paint on…”

the artist/writer is Leith O’Malley
he wrote something so wonderful ..I needed to hear it and so do you ..so please go ..if I could I would put a link here ..but can’t manage that ..so you’ll have to find it ..let me know what you think..it’s so inspirational !

xxooo

keep on doing what you do best,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Couldnt agree more so with the vast majority of what you’ve written here Dave. I;ve found myself using RB a lot again after a couple of mnoths break from it, my only complaint in that kind of approach is that it takes up precious time that I could actually paint with.
As for people being falsely modest with art, mmmmmmmm, I personally feel most people are inclined this way because, well because art is seen as an internalised expression, and nobody likes a blow hard, so most artists being the sensitive types they are, well they over compensate, its something I do frequently, altho, Ive frequently kicked myself ten minutes later for doing it. I also think that the artist is consider by and large to have sold out once they go above a status/income threshold(dont ask me what that threshold is tho!!!!LOL), there is also a contingent of still learning, which personally for me is vital to an artists growth, so this can also hinder self promotion. I’ve found in my experience that nearly all the artists I have encountered, are as you say falsely modest, but then again, maybe thats giving the on looking critic to much credence? LOL!!!!!

Hi Dave, I think a lot of the false modesty comes from our own critique of our work. As was said several times above. When we look at our work we see all the little things the none creater doesn’t. We see the ‘wish I had done this instead things’. But as an artist we have to bring a piece of work to a conclusion. But the wish I hads stay with us.

One month on from above comment of mine. One month in the shop on Wooler high street, no sale – back to the drawer with all the others. But I won’t hang up my paintbrush just yet…I’ve acrylic to learn first. In fact, my first ever acrylic, of holy island, is superb!!!

Still, 1.50×500 is 750 smackers! Worth a lot, years ago! Well done, Dave.

I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion, that the only way I’m going to empty my drawer, is to give them away.

Yes, I’ve thought of that. It’s just being brave enough to do it. Thanks Dave.

Self-promotion versus English reserve:- a bit of a poser. To make friends you have to put yourself about a bit, although at times it does seem like mutual gratification. Personally, I have to like other people’s stuff to truthfully comment on it, but, at the same time, I am aware that increasing one’s audience is the name of the game if one wishes to actually sell anything.
I came here initially to gain a little bit of recognition and the overwhelming result quite turned my head. I am a little wiser now, and, like you, Dave, I will continue to plod on slowly but surely to build up a collection of knowledgable and discerning friends, whilst, at the same time, never forgetting the wider audience.

perhaps you should view shameless self-promotion

dave, i admire anyone who can paint or draw, because it is a talent that i do not have, so I would be proud of any piece i was able to achieve, so its my opinion that art is like beauty in the eye of the beholder, every one sees it very differently, and thats a good thing, so wanting people to see it, gives you a whole new perspective every time and i am sure you would learn from what each person had to say either good or bad, as this is what makes us grow.
I doubt myself as well, i think its an artists trait, and i would like to believe i could honestly say i am an artist, as i see things the way i see them..I also believ like you that i have improved like you say you have, and its your own standards that you hold your self to..so what i think i am trying to say is, if your not happy with something, its for a reason, thats what makes you an individual artist..one that i admire…as long as it still makes you happy, keep doing it as you need to.. keep up your good work dave..regards kristina

Thanks Kristina. Your work reflects your growing confidence. I don’t like comparing myself to others because I will only be worse or better and I don’t wish to be either, just different. I do compare myself to what I once was. I don’t honestly know if my ability has improved, but I do feel my confidence has. Tell Jodi I am asking after her please … she promised to email me, but I know she is busy.