How do you tell someone you REALLY don't like their artwork?

I really have this 'situation' (some of you can perhaps relate) where this person keeps shoving their artwork down your throat, wanting you to promote and paste it everywhere!

Some people have complimented the artist on his/her works, out of genuineness or perhaps politeness ~ I dunno which ~ and it's created a MONSTER. This persons artworks are monstrous (in my eyes) and I just want them to humbly STOP trying to promote/putting their stuff EVERYWHERE that I go/am.

I don't want to hurt their feelings....but this person is hurting me/my sensibilities and the sensibilities of others!

When does one - or when should one - stop being kind/polite and just be HONEST?

Hope that makes some sense.

And sometimes doing what you can to avoid hurting someone's feelings means that you have to tell little white lies.

Can't always have it both ways unfortunately.

telling these 'white lies' has created a monster.

I WANT to say that "you MAY be a good artist, but I don't like these particular works (which is a LOT)"

I don't think he will be able to hear the distinction....that he may be a good artist...it's just a particular WORK GROUP that I don't like...

Also, he's not a good/close friend either....which makes his "persistence"/shoving down everyone's throat thing even MORE difficult to address.

Hope that makes sense

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Yippee *heh*

Thanks for the gifs (and the courage to say something)! - will do!

;-)

:P

:)

But that ain't the character

displayed at Olive Garden.

Tell the person that you don't think it is appropriate for you to promote their work because it violates company policy, personal ethics, etc.

If you can't do it for someone else, you really should not do it for that person either.

I try to find something... cute smile, beautiful hair, cute outfit...

With art and music, I usually comment that it's not a style I prefer but... then add a small compliment about some aspect.

But, I've been negotiating uneasy truces and treaties since I was a kid in my family. I learned diplomacy at a very, very young age. :(

to a bystander who was trying to move around. Turned out it was the artist. I guess that got the point across. :blush:

Like, over your bed or sofa? :shrug:

I learned in studio critiques that you're not going to like everyone's art, and it's better to just say it, and say why, and move on. Most artists should realize by now that there will always be people who don't like or aren't moved by their art. If he's offended by this, then maybe he shouldn't be making art. Criticism and being able to take it is a big part of the art world.

...or your subthread will be deleted.

"If you really value my opinion, I think I could relate to your artwork better if it wasn't quite so... (insert appropriate adjective here, i.e.) cartoonish/contentious/extreme/(whatever). Since I don't feel that I relate to your work very well, it wouldn't feel right hosting it on my website. Sorry."

most boards have an ignore feature. Use it.

If you are talking about a face to face presentation of art you don't like, be honest. Say something like, "I'm glad you've found an outlet for your creativity, but your work doesn't really appeal to me."

If neither of those work, there's always a blowtorch.

just say that you appreciate the thought and their creativity but it isn't your cup of tea.

Then just accept the gift but let them know it doesn't go with your decor and you won't be displaying it.

If it's just posted on the internet, then "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." ;)

Perhaps they'll even ask after the weaknesses that you perceive, in order to address them and to improve their efforts.

But that sort of person is very rare, much less someone who -knows- and can admit that their work requires improvement, and is even willing to cease if they cannot reach any particular level of competence (such as myself regarding photography- I suck, so I've stopped).

to stop being so damned polite and tell him/her that given the choice between their art and a steaming bucket of pig intestines, you'd decorate your living room with pig intestines. But, you know, say it nicely.

preferably while it's hanging on their wall.

:7

Is this person trying to be a professional artist and simply has no real skill and makes crap and someone needs to tell them to go to a school and learn what the hell they're doing?

Or are they a hobbyist artist, who knows they aren't professional level, but likes making artwork for friends?

Or is it good art, but that you just don't like?

The answer you can give them depends on which of the above situations the artist is in.

If the case is that they suck (not just that you don't like the style, but that the art just really sucks) and they think they're going to be professional, someone needs to be honest with said person; otherwise, you get one of those American Idol situations where some jackass with no talent has been so celebrated by their family and friends that they don't know they really suck, and when Simon et. al. are honest with them, they don't believe it.

I can't aim that high!

Can't post any of his/her work? :-)

person to represent them, or push their art because it's not your style and you don't understand it enough to do it justice. Insist they get someone else who really appreciates it to do the promoting work.

You'd be doing them a favor - just think of it that way.

If they don't get the hint after you say that, you'll have to be more blunt. Or else, just accept it and dont' do anything.

I mean, after my kindergarten teacher told me that, I wasn't really inclined to keep trying, so it might work. :shrug:

Lots of people have called Cy Twombly's work "an ugly, scribbly mess," too. But Mr. Twombly is having the last laugh.


Michael Stravato for the New York Times
Cy Twombly at Cy Twombly Gallery in Houston in front of the gallery's largest painting,
"Say Goodbye, Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor."

:evilgrin: