Why is it that, when I show my work to strangers they are amazed and go "wow!", but ......?

Question

When I show it to people I know they are much more sedate and are like "yeah that's good," or they don't say anything, or they just criticize it.

I am an artist. Here is a link if you're curious

http://stores.ebay.com/legendgallery

Answer 1

first of all, WOW, nice work
I think people expect nice work from you or are accustomed to seeing it and it does not impress them as much anymore. You are just plain old "johnny" to them
I am a doctor, but my true friends, from before doctor days,do not see as such.

Answer 2

Hi Martin,

I can relate to your question. I am a writer and though our mediums are different, I have experienced similar responses.

I think perhaps there are a couple of things that contribute to the difference. As other posters have mentioned, friends and family are probably more comfortable criticizing your work, and their familiarity with it has taken away the surprise that produces a "WOW" response.

It's true, though, that "familiarity breeds contempt," especially when an artist begins to find success and support in the outside community. Friends and family then may feel they have a different mission -- to keep you "real", to knock you down a peg, to knock you off your high horse. They do this by becoming less supportive and more critical, even while your talent grows.

The dynamics of family psychology fills thousands of pages and may never fully be understood, but from one artist to another I do have a simple suggestion for you. Stop involving your family and critical friends in your work. When you need advice or a critique, ask another professional artist. Make new friends in the art community.

When I stopped sharing my work with family, my writing took a wonderful turn. Instead of rewriting pieces based on their input -- pieces that were never good enough -- I simply wrote for myself. I no longer felt the anxiety of wondering what so-and-so would think, or why they felt my work was lacking.

Instead of writing for the approval of others, I began to write was important to me. I've since had several works published, and no longer allow myself to feel crippled by the input of an agenda-ridden family. They still criticize what I do, but their criticisms no longer carry the weight they once did.

I hope this helps, Martin, and that you can be proud of your accomplishments even when the support of friends and family is lacking.

Answer 3

They may feel intimidated and think that you expect them to buy something. Every artist seems to want to sell what they do, in order to be validated as an artist. Is that part of the word definition of artist, you must sell what you create or you are not an artist? Maybe they don't like it or think they could do better so they just shut up. I am going to check out your work then I will give you my reason as to why you get that response after my first viewing. See you later. Ok Martin, I'm back. The work that you do is very good, I do sketches myself, but the problem that I see is that they are very photogenic in nature. I wouldn't pay $50 for a sketch of Marlin Brando but I would pay $35 for one of my brother that he could have as a birthday present to hang over his mantle in the living room, nicely framed etc. So I guess what I am saying is keep doing what you do and eventually your art will catch on. Be open to change like sketching my favourite Corvette with me in the background or sketching my bro with a cowboy hat on looking like he was in the wild west. You know be creative and let the juices flow. Good luck and keep drawing!

Answer 4

Maybe it's because they know you are talented and have come to expect it from you. People sometimes treat strangers better than they treat their loved ones - pretty sad... Some people need to make others look bad just to make themselves feel better. If lots of people you know are doing it, either 1) you are not very good at picking friends or 2) they feel you are vain already and talk about it too much?

Answer 5

Normally, they don't want to offend you with their real assessment so they easily say, "wow!" You'll never know what they'll say when they turn their backs anyway and it will cost them nothing. Your friends, however, are more sympathetic and would instead try to help you so they express their comments as freely as they can, assuming that you'd absorb their, better yet, criticisms to convince you to improve further your work. Yeah... love your friends, Mr. Artist.

Answer 6

The expression that comes to mind is; familiarity breeds contempt.

Maybe the ppl who know you and your art just can't get excited about it. They are familiar, but NOT necessarily contemptuous, they just can't get excited over it. A person who does not know you or your art, however, always sees it with "fresh" eyes. Kind of like playing a guitar; if you're good, for the most part, you're "always" good ... with first time audiences.

Answer 7

Maybe the people you know are more comfortable with giving you there honest opinion or know that you can do better than what you actually do. Or possibly are just jealous of your talent and don't want to give you your credit. The pics that you drew look great to me! Keep going with your bad self!! Hope this helps! BT

Answer 8

Maybe jealous of your talent. or the fact that your trying to do something with your life. Did not go on site, sorry !
Good luck with what ever your doing. Always follow your dreams.

Answer 9

the work u r doing is good but may be u still haven't realized ur full potential and that is why ur near and dear ones are reacting this way.

Answer 10

your really good! I seen your work and it's great! Loved that Scarface one and the GodFather one to, Loved them all! Wow! They may be jealous of you to.