web01.fireside.fm Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:52:28 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Criticism” https://messystudio.fireside.fm/tags/criticism Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:00:00 -0600 Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! en-us episodic The podcast at the intersection of art, travel, business, philosophy, and life in general. Rebecca Crowell Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! no Rebecca Crowell rticknor.core@gmail.com Episode 197: How Praise Can Paralyze https://messystudio.fireside.fm/197 badfb22f-3b25-4cb0-8b04-21cdd1bbf2ba Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:00:00 -0600 Rebecca Crowell 197 How Praise Can Paralyze full Rebecca Crowell When we think of the kinds of reactions to our work from other people that cause a block in creative flow, most people think first of negativity, indifference, or misunderstanding. All of these can undermine our self-confidence and cause us to feel incompetent, uninteresting, or simply off track. They can lead to anxiety and avoidance behavior towards our work. But what about the opposite—positive remarks of praise and admiration? These can create a blockage of a different kind that may be harder to recognize and acknowledge. Today we talk about the rather odd fact that praise can stall us as much as criticism. 35:17 no When we think of the kinds of reactions to our work from other people that cause a block in creative flow, most people think first of negativity, indifference, or misunderstanding. All of these can undermine our self-confidence and cause us to feel incompetent, uninteresting, or simply off track. They can lead to anxiety and avoidance behavior towards our work. But what about the opposite—positive remarks of praise and admiration? These can create a blockage of a different kind that may be harder to recognize and acknowledge. Today we talk about the rather odd fact that praise can stall us as much as criticism. Praise can certainly feel supportive and energizing, helping you see aspects of your work that were hidden from your own eyes and clarifying your ideas when you successfully communicate with another person through your work. And of course, praise brings about general good feelings relating to recognition and a sense of accomplishment. But receiving praise can also be a complicated dynamic, with the potential to stall us in our progress in ways that may be hard to recognize and acknowledge. The basic issue is that art is subjective; although there are standards of good composition and design, and good use of media and visual elements, opinion also plays a big role when someone offers you feedback. When what you hear is positive, it can be harder to recognize its subjectivity. You may be steered towards aspects of your work that aren’t quite right for your own vision, but which the person viewing your work prefers. This often happens in a classroom or workshop situation, meaning that those who teach need to be careful not to shut down students by only praising work of a certain type. But the detrimental effects of praise can also be a dynamic among friends and family. Many people find a role for themselves in advising and influencing others even when they know little about the subject. Their positive comments may be well meaning but be somewhat manipulative or controlling, in effect asking the artist to create according to their own preferences. You as the artist need to be strong enough in your own mind to recognize whether praise is truly applicable to your own intentions, and resist being steered in a direction that is not. Learning to evaluate the feedback you receive allows you to gain from positive feedback that relates to your own intentions and to remove yourself from comments that are off track. Failing to do this can lead to losing your way or being blocked by inner resistance to fulfilling someone else’s desires for your work. Being self-reflective and in touch with your own ideas and intentions is key to understanding positive feedback and pulling from it what is useful and supportive to you. Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here (https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=Yyrf7Ht1DYfkYzAaWNoW8zuvCpTryLYsxY2VAj4qGZ3o2o4F7xHGv4VmDDef7kFxuvbgpz_z4jUa-z7F). ​ When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies. www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick ​ Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are excited to be launching year two of Cold Wax Academy's membership program, which began in October of 2020. In the coming year, live online learning sessions will feature an entirely new set of topics---beginning with a deep dive into technique and the steps involved in developing a painting. Other topics for year 2 include professional development, abstraction and realism, principles of design, and expanded uses for cold wax medium. As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Fall Quarter begins October 6th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences. Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience: "Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed." Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast? Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com (mailto:rticknor.core@gmail.com) for current mid-roll advertising rates. ​ For more from The Messy Studio: www.messystudiopodcast.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast ​ For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.rebeccacrowell.com www.coldwaxacademy.com ​ The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production. Rebecca Crowell, Art, Creativity, Teaching, Praise, Criticism, Mindset When we think of the kinds of reactions to our work from other people that cause a block in creative flow, most people think first of negativity, indifference, or misunderstanding. All of these can undermine our self-confidence and cause us to feel incompetent, uninteresting, or simply off track. They can lead to anxiety and avoidance behavior towards our work. But what about the opposite—positive remarks of praise and admiration? These can create a blockage of a different kind that may be harder to recognize and acknowledge. Today we talk about the rather odd fact that praise can stall us as much as criticism.

Praise can certainly feel supportive and energizing, helping you see aspects of your work that were hidden from your own eyes and clarifying your ideas when you successfully communicate with another person through your work. And of course, praise brings about general good feelings relating to recognition and a sense of accomplishment.

But receiving praise can also be a complicated dynamic, with the potential to stall us in our progress in ways that may be hard to recognize and acknowledge. The basic issue is that art is subjective; although there are standards of good composition and design, and good use of media and visual elements, opinion also plays a big role when someone offers you feedback. When what you hear is positive, it can be harder to recognize its subjectivity. You may be steered towards aspects of your work that aren’t quite right for your own vision, but which the person viewing your work prefers.

This often happens in a classroom or workshop situation, meaning that those who teach need to be careful not to shut down students by only praising work of a certain type. But the detrimental effects of praise can also be a dynamic among friends and family. Many people find a role for themselves in advising and influencing others even when they know little about the subject. Their positive comments may be well meaning but be somewhat manipulative or controlling, in effect asking the artist to create according to their own preferences. You as the artist need to be strong enough in your own mind to recognize whether praise is truly applicable to your own intentions, and resist being steered in a direction that is not.

Learning to evaluate the feedback you receive allows you to gain from positive feedback that relates to your own intentions and to remove yourself from comments that are off track. Failing to do this can lead to losing your way or being blocked by inner resistance to fulfilling someone else’s desires for your work. Being self-reflective and in touch with your own ideas and intentions is key to understanding positive feedback and pulling from it what is useful and supportive to you.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.
​
When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick
​
Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are excited to be launching year two of Cold Wax Academy's membership program, which began in October of 2020. In the coming year, live online learning sessions will feature an entirely new set of topics---beginning with a deep dive into technique and the steps involved in developing a painting. Other topics for year 2 include professional development, abstraction and realism, principles of design, and expanded uses for cold wax medium.

As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Fall Quarter begins October 6th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.
​
For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast
​
For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com
​
The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

]]> When we think of the kinds of reactions to our work from other people that cause a block in creative flow, most people think first of negativity, indifference, or misunderstanding. All of these can undermine our self-confidence and cause us to feel incompetent, uninteresting, or simply off track. They can lead to anxiety and avoidance behavior towards our work. But what about the opposite—positive remarks of praise and admiration? These can create a blockage of a different kind that may be harder to recognize and acknowledge. Today we talk about the rather odd fact that praise can stall us as much as criticism.

Praise can certainly feel supportive and energizing, helping you see aspects of your work that were hidden from your own eyes and clarifying your ideas when you successfully communicate with another person through your work. And of course, praise brings about general good feelings relating to recognition and a sense of accomplishment.

But receiving praise can also be a complicated dynamic, with the potential to stall us in our progress in ways that may be hard to recognize and acknowledge. The basic issue is that art is subjective; although there are standards of good composition and design, and good use of media and visual elements, opinion also plays a big role when someone offers you feedback. When what you hear is positive, it can be harder to recognize its subjectivity. You may be steered towards aspects of your work that aren’t quite right for your own vision, but which the person viewing your work prefers.

This often happens in a classroom or workshop situation, meaning that those who teach need to be careful not to shut down students by only praising work of a certain type. But the detrimental effects of praise can also be a dynamic among friends and family. Many people find a role for themselves in advising and influencing others even when they know little about the subject. Their positive comments may be well meaning but be somewhat manipulative or controlling, in effect asking the artist to create according to their own preferences. You as the artist need to be strong enough in your own mind to recognize whether praise is truly applicable to your own intentions, and resist being steered in a direction that is not.

Learning to evaluate the feedback you receive allows you to gain from positive feedback that relates to your own intentions and to remove yourself from comments that are off track. Failing to do this can lead to losing your way or being blocked by inner resistance to fulfilling someone else’s desires for your work. Being self-reflective and in touch with your own ideas and intentions is key to understanding positive feedback and pulling from it what is useful and supportive to you.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the show and donating! If you would like to donate to the Messy Studio Podcast donate here.
​
When you buy art supplies at Blick remember to use our affiliate link to support the podcast! Bookmark this link and then you don't even have to think about it again. This is one of the best ways to support the show. It takes a few seconds and costs you nothing! The Blick website works exactly the same way, but we earn 10% every time you buy art supplies.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick
​
Rebecca and her partner Jerry McLaughlin are excited to be launching year two of Cold Wax Academy's membership program, which began in October of 2020. In the coming year, live online learning sessions will feature an entirely new set of topics---beginning with a deep dive into technique and the steps involved in developing a painting. Other topics for year 2 include professional development, abstraction and realism, principles of design, and expanded uses for cold wax medium.

As always, members have access to recordings of all previous sessions including everything from the first year, so it's easy to join anytime. Fall Quarter begins October 6th. Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for details about membership levels and to sign up for a year of exciting learning experiences.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.
​
For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast
​
For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.coldwaxacademy.com
​
The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

]]> Episode 139: Those Awkward Moments https://messystudio.fireside.fm/139 78cd90e6-87ca-4ccf-9d25-4bda06d4223e Sat, 22 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0500 Rebecca Crowell 139 Those Awkward Moments full Rebecca Crowell In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully. 42:22 no In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully. As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.” Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand. It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can. Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast? Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com (mailto:rticknor.core@gmail.com) for current mid-roll advertising rates. For more from The Messy Studio: www.messystudiopodcast.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast For more from Rebecca Crowell: www.rebeccacrowell.com www.squeegeepress.com Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link: www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production. Rebecca Crowell, Art, Creativity, Marketing, Self Improvement, Career, Conversation, Criticism In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully.

As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.”

Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand.

It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link:
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

]]> In a recent podcast, we talked about the remark often made about abstract artists --” my kid could paint that.” But there are lots of other things people say to and about artists that show a lack of understanding or even hostility toward art. When these happen in conversation, they can create some awkward moments. Most of us tend to feel defensive when this happens, and we can miss an opportunity to elevate the conversation. Today we’ll talk about some of these common remarks, consider why people make them, and ways to handle them gracefully.

As artists we’ve all had these moments. Sometimes, what we hear is an innocent question with a complicated answer, for example, “how long did it take you to paint that?" --when clock time is not the issue. Sometimes a question or remark comes across as aggressive, as when people ask about the price in order to look askance when you answer. Or an observation like “it must be so fun to just paint all day” can come across as “how nice to do whatever you please-- most of us can’t do that.”

Most remarks are well-meant though. People who know little about art are usually just trying to find a way into the conversation, as we all do when trying to understand another person's profession that is unfamiliar to us. But many times, a remark that indicates basic ignorance of our work can seem offensive and awkward. If we make an attempt to move the conversation forward, though, it can be an opportunity to help the other person understand.

It's easy though to feel misunderstood or hurt. Sometimes artists consider remarks critical or insulting but from an objective point of view are simply misinformed or out of context. Many times these remarks are much more about the person making them than about the artist. They are attempts to relate the artist's lifesto their own experience and as such, they should not be taken personally. Take opportunities to educate people when you feel there is an opening for a more elevated conversation and use compassion and humor to do so if you can.

Have an art related product, service, or event you would like to advertise on the Messy Studio Podcast?
Email Ross at rticknor.core@gmail.com for current mid-roll advertising rates.

For more from The Messy Studio:
www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

For more from Rebecca Crowell:
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com

Support The Messy Studio when you buy art supplies from Blick.com by using our affiliate link:
www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

The Messy Studio Podcast is a CORE Publication MGMT production.

]]>