Evaluations.

The subject of evaluations has been hanging in the air recently.

My Mentoring Group met a few weeks ago, on a conference call, and I asked a question about how one should go about getting feedback on a body of  work. I was specific about the qualifications for the critic. I wanted the opinion of someone whom I respected, who did not have any personal agenda, and who would understand what it was I was after. My thinking is that unless the reviewer has a grasp on what I was attempting to say in the painting, how could they possibly judge it? 

Those of you who listen to Artists Helping Artists (and if you don't, you should give it a try), you know that recently Leslie Saeta and I discussed self-evaluation. That was unexpectedly valuable to me.
I've been so curious about an objective opinion of my body of work that I completely forgot my own responsibility in measuring it's success. It turns out that its a task that is as difficult as you're imagining it to be. But valuable and will likely stay with me as I paint in the months to come.

Seeking an outside opinion is worthwhile, but never spending time listening to your own inner critic is a missed opportunity. It can help you refine what it is you want to achieve in your work.
Happy Patriots Day!
MS