- carol monosson edan
Feedback and Dead Sea
Last evening at Cold Wax Academy online course was a lesson on feedback, the importance and effects this has on the artist. One thing that stood out was that sometimes negative observations can be more helpful than positive. We all get into the traps of likes, greats, and loves that we receive on social media, but they give a flash of adrenalin, and it's gone. Really nothing to move forward with. Just last April, when I was at a workshop in Ballycastle, County Mayo, at the Ballinglen Art Foundation, I received a full dose of negative critique/observation. We were all invited to view the online lesson for the Academy in the Museum. The lesson was how we see/read composition. There on the big screen appears one of paintings that I had submitted for the March member critique. Does the painting work? No!
Too much going on. Too many similar shapes, hierarchy problem, area competition, confusing. I felt like I wanted to be swallowed up. I had a negative reaction. Although the examples were anonymous, felt that everyone was staring at me. The next day discussed the painting with Jerry, observing the main issues. Returning home, I decided to work on this painting and others in a series called Sand Sea Salt that I had started prior to the workshop.
Observations and memories of the Dead Sea.
Oils and cold wax on paper
14x14"
March Entry
Oils and Cold Wax on paper
14x14"
Resolved
Added more tonal contrasts, made the upper shape the priority shape and added more eye movement. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome!
המעבר מריטריט עמוק של יצירה, במקום חדש עם המון אינטראקציות חדשות, נופים אחרים לימוד וציור שעות ארוכות בחלל משותף--- אל שגרת הבית והיצירה הלבדית, אכן לא פשוט וקל. ובכלל, מעברים הם לא דבר קל. גם בציורים יש תנועה בין משהו סגור ומופנם למקום פתוח רך ואופטימי .
אוהבת אותך מאוד אמא יקרה שלי
יעח
I agree with you about honest, constructive criticism. It is SO helpful! Art can be so subjective, however. Sometimes I know...I just KNOW a piece doesn't work, and yet it gets snapped up by a collector.
Both of your pieces here are compelling - the first piece feels natural, restful, quietly profound. And the resolved piece - intergalactic PUNCH. Both have a mood I enjoy. :)
תמונות מקסימות
Carol, this post resonates with me, with its discuss of the value and impact of thoughtful critical feedback, and I want to thank you—again!—for so often providing me with welcome and helpful input regarding the visual language of my work as posted at my blog. The "March Entry" you've posted here immediately grabbed me with it limited palette, muted colors, varied textures, and gently movement. Then I scrolled down … and discovered your resolution of that start! You've opened my eyes here, with your discussion of "too many similar shapes, hierarchy problem, area competition, confusing" in the start and your added tonal contrasts, prioritizing the upper shape, and supplying more eye movement. Your changes are effective and impactful, providing focus,…
I love the additional contrast from the dark edges. It is still abstract, but more focused. If that makes sense. I love the choppy textures, and the touches of warmth. Made me linger. (Sheila D)
:)