LookBacktoFour wrote:So I'm new here and I really don't understand how the people around here operate. I don't know what you guys consider a joke or not, but.... ...I'm just wondering because, while this community's been nice so far, if that's the case then I'm just not going to bother with it.
I snipped from above.
I think there are really only a few important things to consider in the above, and the aforementioned Art Post and certainly before making any definitive decisions.
This forum is open to all artists, and art... across the world. I find it to be an amazing venue for sharing, growing and building a network within a Art community that cannot be found always in local scenes. Also, the forums are for all stages of artistic development, experience and skill sets. Its not about if or how, any one person is better than another, etc. It is also important to know, that being a worldly forum, that at a worldly level - people will view things culturally different that the way we as the individual creator views things... this applies also with how we Say things.
In an online forum; in text, a sentence can be read a myriad of ways simply because of the mood, or emotional level of the reader. And many times, it differs greatly from the way you (the writer) intended it. I understand you meant Joke, as you put Parody) in the title, but that doesn't mean that people cannot find it offensive. If that makes sense. It doesn't mean I find you the creator as offensive, but does as a moderator, want to open the discussion around the intention...as an artist, so that you grow.
For instances, if an artist wants to keep creating art that pushes the controversial envelope, or is deemed offensive by many, experience has taught me that this will narrow the potential fan pool and in turn, stunt the creators success, making it more difficult in general for the artist. I am not saying sell out to mainstream, or stifle your expression... just think about it responsibly in relation to Where you want to go with your art. What is your goals? If you want to get into Galleries, or get published as an illustrator for 'zines or 'childrens books, or whatever... ask yourself, would the art you create project more of the opinion I have on a given subject? or exhibit more of my skill and diversity as an artists that would help me get those opportunities?
It is important to remember - WE are all free to make choices, share an opinion, share art, pose a position as well as express oneself. We are not free from the consequences (positive or negative) from our choices, opinions, expressions, positions and art.
As artists, not everyone will like our art. Heck, not everyone will like Us as people. It is not our job to make everyone like us, ore even like our art. As artists, we create and share a part of us, that to us, is real. As artists, we must recognize that people view art as a reflection of apart of our inner selves that we bring out visually for people to see. If that (which we present) lends to a negative perception of who you wanted to project to the world view, then consider what you are sharing... Or not, but do not fault the viewers from having a feeling about something or a perception of the creator as the result. It is not that anyone really knows on an online forum 'who anyone really is' or 'is like as people' without ongoing interactions that would result in a direct 'like or dislike' of a person. Only what they are seeing can they form an opinion. As you said you are new and friendships and growth will come in time.
A critique is a form of feedback; most valuable when direct and honest, for the purpose of conveying information so that the recipient can learn, develop and grow. You posted it in the 'Are you ready for the Fury' forum, and perhaps were not ready for the level of critique that went along with it. I don't think, when it came to the art, that Carl and I were saying anything different from each other, we just have different ways of saying it... Take from the critique that which you feel is valuable and build and grow from it. As a moderator, I ask that you 'stop' for a moment, before responding emotionally...Don't respond just as reaction. Take some time to understand what is being critiqued.. and try to have dialogue that results in something you can work with. I hope that makes sense and helps.
