Feedback Time

About this Episode

As artists, we know it’s good to get feedback now and then so we can understand how our work is seen by others. But managing how and when to solicit feedback can have a lot to do with how valuable and appropriate it will be. While feedback at the right time and situation can be exactly what you need, feedback can also have the opposite effect, and even experienced artists can be thrown off track. Today we’ll talk about exerting control over when and how to receive feedback to make it most valuable.

Any feedback—whether it is positive, negative, or indifferent—has the potential to distract you and cause you to lose sight of your intentions. It can also be very helpful, giving you fresh ideas, insights, energy, and motivation. It helps to be clear about when to ask for feedback, and from whom, and to take charge of the situation. Don’t assume that anytime you have the chance to show someone what you are working on that you should seize that opportunity, because there are points in the creative process when feedback can be confusing, and your flow will be interrupted.

These points vary for the individual but typically there are points near the beginning of a piece, when you are flowing with ideas, or when you feel a piece is done, that feedback is not very helpful. On the other hand, there are times in middle of the process that a new set of eyes on our work can break through a block or frustration. Before you decide to share your work, though, ask yourself if you can work through the issue yourself. Solving our own challenges is really the best learning situation.

Understanding the value of feedback as well as its pitfalls is one more thing that artists need to balance. But knowing that you are the ultimate authority on your own work can give you the confidence to seek feedback at appropriate times and avoid it at others.

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What's new At Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry launched their spring quarter on April 12th. This quarter's sessions include identifying compositional issues in your work, technical information from Gamblin representative Mary Tevlin, a painting clinic for works in progress, and much more. As always, members can join in on live sessions with questions and comments, and can benefit anytime by interacting with other members on our Mambers-only facebook page. With 100 recorded sessions in the member library there is always something to learn or review, with topics ranging from technical advice to visual language to guests speakers and critiques of member work.

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