Had a chat with a guy at a gallery opening in Portland that changed how I look at my own art

Ngl, I was standing by the cheese table feeling awkward when this older artist started talking to me. He said my digital pieces were technically clean but asked if I ever let myself make something ugly on purpose. It hit different because I realized I've been scared to experiment with messy brushes and weird color combos for like 3 years now. Has anyone else had a random stranger's comment stick with you way more than feedback from friends?

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_sanchez2mo ago

Three years ago a cashier told me I gripped my coffee cup like I was scared of dropping it, and now I can't unsee it everywhere.

laura_wright2mo agoMost Upvoted

My friend Jen still holds her fork like she's about to stab someone ever since a waiter commented on it in 2019. She even switched to eating sushi with her hands just to avoid the fork thing.

blake3221mo ago

Caught myself staring at a painting for 20 minutes after a stranger said my art needed more "ugly moments" (whatever that means). @miles_sanchez it's wild how a stranger's throwaway line gets stuck in your head more than the people who actually know us. I think because friends are scared to be brutal with you, you know? They'll say it looks great while a random person has nothing to lose by being honest. Now I keep a notebook where I write down the weirdest things strangers tell me at shows, it's become almost like a cheat code for breaking out of ruts.