Seeing Critically
Seeing critically is looking to see what one likes or doesn’t like about something. How would one make it better or more attractive? Don’t we all do this while getting dressed? However, it could also pertain to a piece of art, an room arrangement or a garden as well as others.
An Exercise to Practice Seeing Critically
Lately, I have found my art process spilling over into other aspects of my life. Basically my process is to do something and then try and make it better. What can I do to make the art more interesting? How can I kick it up a notch? I find myself looking at others work and doing the same thing. What parts do I like and which parts would I change? I am not being critical as in criticize but as in finding the merits and the faults of something.
I see this as seeing and thinking critically about the work. The thoughts are only for myself. I wouldn’t dare say anything to the artist. That is not my intent. It is merely a practicing looking with a critical eye.
The Learning Curve of Art
I am reminded of an exercise that a photography teacher had us do. We were to go about our lives without our cameras and look for photos to take only with our eyes. The students practiced forming low risk pictures. We would notice the world around us. Frame a shot, pretend to take a photo and continue on our way. It was a way of focussing. It was also in the days of dark rooms and fairly expensive film. However, the exercise is still a valid one to focus one’s eye to the beauty around us.
Maybe this is a common art teacher technique. Never having much art training , I don’t know. My one year of drawing and painting was back in the days of Do Your Thing. If you know what your own thing is then that is great. But I had no idea of what my thing was.
I took the photography class because I had noticed that people with a good camera could get into events more easily. People thought that you were with the press.
Trying new ventures is a good idea. However to attain a particular skill level, one must practice. Somehow that never occurred with me.We are all in different places along the learning curve of art.
Artful Gardens
Many people take pride in their artful gardens, large or small. As I walk by a neighborhood garden, I find myself observing critically. How are the plants arranged. Are the shapes, colors, sizes of the plantings in harmony? Are they placed in a balanced way? Or are they clumped together with no interest? Between the drought, gophers and deer,we are sometimes lucky to have anything growing this late summer.Critisizing in not my intent. However, looking for artful placement of colorful plants is.
Art on Social Media -Seeing Critically
These days many people are posting their art on social media. Each person is on their personal pathway to becoming or improving as an artist. I would never make a critical comment about that person’s art. But it is an opportunity to practice seeing critically. What parts I think work and how I might change it if it were my piece?
In conclusion, becoming an artist takes practice. Part of that progress is to see critically many different art forms or even parts of life.Try it! It is free and easy. However, it is best to keep your opinions to yourself!
Read more.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/02/one-fabric-three-art-quilts/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/08/how-to-talk-to-the-public-about-your-art/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/forging-your-own-art-path/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/09/becoming-more-creative/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/06/develop-your-art-style/
