Funny Things I Hear At My Art Shows:

The Seduction, by Michelle Geromel ©

One of the fun things about an art festival or art show is hearing the positive and sometimes funny things people same about my art as they pass by.

The most common is when men and women both walk by and insist they are the model.  I will play along and tell everyone please to not let it out, that they were my model. This banter happens at least 5 times a day at an art festival. Normally everyone know we are joking, but once, this past spring, a Mom actually got a little hostile and really insisted that I must have some how gotten hold of her daughter’s photo shoot last month, because she had that exact same pink bra. This was funny considering, that I know the model quite well, and that bra actually had been black and I changed it to pink because I could. And, it takes me a heck of a lot longer than a few weeks to create most of my art, so it was also pretty outrageous of the Mom to be so upset. 

A lot of times women will insist that I have captured their lover perfectly.  Or the men will insist I have captured their wife or lover perfectly.  I always find this to be sweet. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a sucker for love.  

The funniest interaction was with a couple and their children, that actually ended up becoming friends after this - The little boy insisted that the couple embracing (The Seduction above) was Mommy and Daddy.  So I asked the little boy why that was - he said they were hugging.  Which is kind of what they were doing.  I thought it was great because the kid obviously saw his parents as affectionate and happy with each other.  Something not every child has the privilege of seeing. 

I once was at a show where across from me was a woman with beautiful, ruebinesque women.  More than once I heard “Before ...  After”.  I was never sure before and was after what. Although if the cupcakes I am sitting next to as I write this blog have there way as they silently call to me it will be before and after the cupcakes!

For another look at art shows see Lovers & Haters

Cheeky

As an artist, I feel that “good” art is art that elicits some sort of response. The worst response I could get for a piece of art work is no response at all. If someone loves it or hates it, then at least  the work has been noticed and felt on some level. 

The interesting thing about being an artist publicly showing work, is I get to hear what people are saying about my art (the good and the bad). It can at times be great instant marketing feedback and at other times an interesting look at our culture. 

I love this painting because it's fun and slightly provocative. To me this is a very girlie piece of art, and I love it for that reason.  I have had it, or a limited edition giclee of it, up at a lot of shows because it gets people to stop and notice my booth or wall space.  But as with any good piece of art - the opinions on this one vary drastically depending on who is viewing it. 

There is one thing, I've heard from multiple little girls that I don't understand.  More often than not, when a young girl passes this painting she will point it out as  "disgusting." Which makes me wonder, what are we collectively as a society telling our kids?  There are areas of the world where this response would not be the initial thought coming out of the mouth of babes. 

On the flip side, the funniest thing that I hear a lot is from mothers of teenage daughters, insisting that this painting is a picture of their daughter. This is interesting to me.  First, to discover that women pay this much attention to their daughters’ bodies and are proud of their fit nature. And second, because I think it’s sweet in a way that moms feel their daughters are flirty and sexy all at the same time. 

So what do you think? Does a piece of “good” art generate some type of response, even if it’s negative? Or do you only think of art that you like as “good?”

For another blog about reactions to art see Funny Things I Hear At My Art Shows

Lovers & Haters

Had an art show tonight at Gallery 104. I love interacting with everyone and getting to know their stories. And of course I enjoy seeing people's reaction to my art. It's very enlightening and can be quite fun - especially when people find something they feel is unexpected, and tell their friends.

I honestly don't care if someone doesn't like my art. That's fine, my art doesn't have to be for everyone. But I do care when someone is bitingly and intentionally horrid about it. Which happened tonight.

I know that generally when I have these types of hyper critical encounters, it's with someone who inside is an extremely frustrated artist. But understanding does not make it less of a sting. Luckily tonight, after that encounter 5 people came up to me and said they liked or loved exactly what the other person had criticized.

I know as an artist, I shouldn't "care" what people think. I paint for myself, and I hope people enjoy what I bring into my work. However, let's be honest - art is incredibly personal. Every painting I do shows something of me in it. At the very least the emotion I was feeling at the time. And often my thoughts or feelings about life, love and the world at large. So when someone so expertly attacks my work, it hurts. And having people give another, more positive opinion, does help ease the sting.

For everyone who came to the show tonight, I appreciate you. And for everyone who is supportive of any artist - know your support is at times more welcomed than you may realize.

For another look inside the making of art see Keeping The Vision