let me say this 1st: i am not the goddess's gift to art and i know this. i struggle constantly with low self esteem, especially in terms of my hand drawn work. but i even doubt my collage work as well. i compare myself all the time to other artist's work, wanting to be able to do what so and so does. and i get a complex if folks don't comment on my art that's posted in online gallery's, thinking it must really suck and everyone hates it. sick isn't it?
that being said, i have definite ideas about the kind of art i want in my home. and i do have to make limits on what comes in as my space is rather small and overflowing. i have to climb over things, it's rather sad. so, with the encouragement of an artist friend, i have started throwing away ATC's (artist trading cards) i receive and just can't stand. anyone who trades gets them from time to time, that card that know matter how you hold it just makes you cringe. admit it, you've got them in your collection. and yes, i also admit that i am sure to have made some of these myself. so here's the deal: i want my collection to be full of beauty. i want to feel joy when i look at it, not disgust. and there is nothing wrong with that! but admitting that to sensitive artists types was probably a bad idea. you live and learn. for the most part if i hate a card but can still find some value in it i hold on to it and pass it on to someone else. my niece has received a couple of cards from me this way. but if i, in all my imperfections, can't find something likable about it, it goes in the trash. and you have my full permission to that to cards of mine you don't like. all's fair in love and art.
i'll leave you with a piece that i like, but in one of my gallery's has received no comments. so sad.
8 comments:
I know just where you're coming from on the constantly reviewing what you're doing and general self-esteem. Its a real pain in the *** - if it's any consolation, I really look up to your collage work- oh! to achieve that! So there we are. (I love the card you posted and haven't noticed it in the gallery - been a bit slack visiting it lately. I'll have it if it's in need of a home, lol!)
oh thanks so much gina! you are someone who's drawing skills i greatly admire! the card has found a home, but we should def do a trade soon!
Here here, Lady! I've done the same thing from time to time. Sometimes you just can't like something enough to keep it. No offense to the artist. You just weren't the one who was supposed to get it.
Your work has always spoken to me. Even the card here with the lonely gallery.
<3 Artsiehorse
Oh my lovely lil' sweet potato....isn't it strange how art does or doesn't speak to us?! I'm a bit strange I admit...I keep the ugly art I receive but always tear mine to shreds with great joy when I'm not happy with the results and look....in the can it goes!!
I'm so proud of you for speaking what's on your mind....honesty is good karma...and I LOVE you for that.
Our art doesn't say who we are....just what emotion and feelings we need to get out...and that's FUN!
Peace OUT and ART ON! I so dig your style...but nuffin' ever stays the same.
OX
i have to be honest and say i usually open my mail art swaps near a trash can. if i don't like it, it's usually hastily made scrawl. and you can tell that it was. if it's quality and just not for me, i pass it on. most of the time, i'm greedy and dig a wide range of things, and will keep cool cards.
if it's faded or has a hello kitty sticker on it or there is no compositional awesomeness happening, it goes to live with the trash goblins.
i chuck about one thing in almost every swap i do on the internets. the secret to being totally amazed with your returns is hosting. nothing pisses me off more than opening a return for something i put 5 hours into to get something someone clearly spent 5 minutes on. i don't feel bad about chucking that stuff either =D
oh thank the goddess, nicci! someone thinks like me! hear hear!
This is a really good post. I know im late here in commenting. I hear your point of veiw I feel the same way, i put my bad cards all the way to the back of the binder. but the thing is I hope my card gets returned to me if it sucks. I put my email address on the back for that reason.
Before I started atc i did alot of reasearch the artwork on www.artist-trading-cards.ch/history.html the gallery looks a whole lot different than other sites. It was purely experimental, mostly about the trade. not about the quality the trade. even the creator what's his name... m vanci something his cards were printed or scribled on index cards. You got to remember its about the trade.
for YOU it's about the trade. for me it's just as much about the collection.
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