Recognize Your Artportunities

Take the ARTportunities that come your way!

September at Matthieu Bridge

A few weeks ago, I attended a one day workshop with national artist, Kenn Backhaus. In my opinion, one of the benefits of attending the workshop was a Critique of my work by Kenn. Imagine my surprise when Kenn asked the workshop attendees to raise their hands if they brought art for critique and only 6 of 20 people raised their hands.

Why wouldn't artists take advantage of this artportunity?  I was very surprised that many chose not to participate in the critique. I understand that critiques can be intimidating, but who better to point you in the right direction than a successful national artist? And while there was a crowd of 20 fellow artists, I still think it would be worth it to show your work (artists are the nicest people I know).

For the critique I chose one of my plein air works that I felt fairly confident about.

My Critique:
Nice greens (a good compliment as all were mixed by me-- no tube greens)
Nice lead in with yellow and balance of yellow
Water is not convincing
Trees in back are equal/symmetrical, make one smaller
Similar brushwork, be more deliberate and move different directions
Find artists who painted similar topic

The critique was done in a friendly and kind way, and I very much appreciated the feedback. And, because many attendees did not participate in the critique, I got a full 10 minute critique--what an artportunity!

I will not change my painting but will try to keep in mind the feedback for a future painting because I know that I will go to this location and paint this bridge again!

I suggest that we as artists should approach each opportunity with a positive attitude--be brave! All workshop artists are where you are or have been where you are; do not be intimidated to share your work.