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Bashful about your art

Cimarron

IRL is not real
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I'm excited because this thing I've been working on for a long time is almost complete (well, rough draft is almost complete), to the point where you can finally see how it fits together as a whole picture. But now that I'm thinking about what it will be like once I "put it out" into the world, I'm feeling bashful, doubtful about how it stands up to the professionals....you know?

Do you feel like that sometimes, when once you're finally finishing your work, those doubts come back to get you?

And sometimes you feel as if you could spend more time revising it and revising it again, but you wonder how long that could go on....
(I'm composing and orchestrating music.)

I guess it's some consolation that so many artists are not satisfied with their own work, no matter how acclaimed they are. :)
 

Fluffywolf

Nips away your dignity
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Not that I've ever nearly finished something. But I've never felt any restraint about putting something out there unless it is specifically private (in my mind) of course. Generally no though. I've little shame. :dry:
 

sprinkles

Mojibake
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Yes, mainly because my eyes (or ears in the case of music) get tired.

Either the product looks/sounds better than it actually is, or worse than it actually is, because I've worked on it so long and gained a certain level of fatigue that keeps me from seeing it objectively.

I think a piece is good when I can lock it away, forget about it, and come back to it a year later and it is still right. Very few things that I do actually pass this test.
 

Ism

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Yep, all the time! I think it's something everyone does, regardless of their ranking. In fact, it's weird if you don't want to tinker with something, even after you've finished it.
 
A

Anew Leaf

Guest
Art is never finished, only abandoned.

It is a huge amount of trust for me to share things like writing because that is who I am. It is integral to who I think of myself. My art and music to a lesser degree.

I think it's quite normal to have this reaction, Cim. What you need are Si data points of assurance that what you are doing is worthwhile. :) Then you can build up your confidence.
 

1487610420

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I'm pretty detached, as I feel I can always outdo myself/don't put much into it. if the mind takes over, the expression ends and with it all that is relevant in favor of an endless exercise in futility, IME.
 

xisnotx

Permabanned
Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
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When I was younger I'd draw random shapes and lines, not knowing where I was going with it, and suddenly, I'd see what it was I was drawing. I'd then try to complete the drawing, only to ruin it in my eyes, and throw it in the trash.

I've never drawn anything without throwing it away afterwards. I'd maybe show one or two people, then, it'd be in garbage.

These days, I like to write. I've never shown anyone the actual stuff I write.

When I write online, it's a double edge sword. On the one hand, I can't keep it to myself. On the other hand, I can't keep it myself.

It's a good thing, because I'm forced to be exposed.
 

Cimarron

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Not that I've ever nearly finished something. But I've never felt any restraint about putting something out there unless it is specifically private (in my mind) of course. Generally no though. I've little shame. :dry:
:laugh: True, though, I usually don't get very far with mine, either.
Art is never finished, only abandoned.

It is a huge amount of trust for me to share things like writing because that is who I am. It is integral to who I think of myself. My art and music to a lesser degree.

I think it's quite normal to have this reaction, Cim. What you need are Si data points of assurance that what you are doing is worthwhile. :) Then you can build up your confidence.
I agree, I've always felt that it's one of the most intimate things, to share your creative work with someone else.

Problem is my J getting in the way...I tell myself I can improve this again if I allow more time, but I'm tired of this already taking forever. :dry:

Thanks for your thoughts, people!
 

Tiltyred

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That's part of technique, isn't it? Learning when to stop. :)
 
G

garbage

Guest
I can relate. I tend to have more anxiety about publicizing a finished piece of art than a research paper or thesis.

What motivates that is the feeling that as long as you don't stick a fork in something, you can avoid criticism (internal or external) about it.
 
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