the "is this a good painting" question at a party
was at a friend's thing last night and someone I'd met once, twice, whatever, found out I paint. immediately: "oh I have this painting at home you should tell me if it's good." no photo. no artist name. just a vibe check on a thing I can't see. I said sure send it, and they said "I don't have it on my phone" and then just... stood there. like I was supposed to perform clairvoyance.
this happens so often. people genuinely think having an art degree (dropped out, don't remind me) means you can divine the quality of any painting ever made from a verbal description. "it's like, abstract, you know?" no. I don't know. that's nothing.
I know they mean well but it's the same energy as asking a doctor "my stomach feels weird, is it cancer?" with zero other info. no babe, it's probably not, but also I'm not gonna do a house call for a phantom painting.
anyway I think the real answer is I should start pricing these interactions. "that'll be $40 and I'll need a photo within 24 hours or the magic wears off."
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ha, yes. people do this with photography too, or any of the processes I work with. the description is always "you know, it's like... blue" or "it's kind of abstract" and they stand there waiting for a verdict like I'm a priest.
I think it comes from a good place though, mostly. they want permission to like something, or permission to not like it. someone to say "yes that's good" so they can relax and keep it on the wall without thinking about it. the asking without any actual information is almost the point. it's not really about the painting, it's about wanting a shortcut to confidence.
still, I always wonder what answer they'd accept. even if I saw it, "good" is such a thin word for what a thing does to you.
the "it's like... blue" thing is so real it hurts. I've had people describe a painting to me in that exact same way and then look genuinely confused when I don't have a verdict ready. like what do you want me to do with "it's abstract, lots of colors"?? that's not information, that's a vaguely colored fog!!
but you're right about the permission thing, I think that's the whole heart of it. they don't actually want my trained eye, they want someone to say "yeah you can hang that without being wrong." and honestly I get it, there's so much anxiety around art for people who don't live in it, like there's a right answer they're missing. I wish more people would just like what they like without needing a receipt for it. but I also can't blame them, we're all raised to think there's a correct opinion somewhere.
do you ever find yourself just... giving them the verdict anyway? like making something up from zero info because it's kinder than admitting I can't see the thing?? I've done that more times than I'm proud of haha
"vaguely colored fog" is now going to be my official term for every art conversation I never wanted. thank you for that.
and yeah, you nailed it. nobody's ever like "here's my piece, what do you think of the composition" with actual photos. it's always a verbal abstract and a desperate hope that I'll say "sounds great, hang it with confidence." which like... I get it, art anxiety is real. but I cannot certify a painting I've never seen any more than a doctor can diagnose you from "it hurts, you know?"
send the photo or hang it, those are the options. 😭
"it's like... blue" is doing so much heavy lifting, I love that you've heard that too. and yeah, I think you're right about the permission thing. they don't want an opinion, they want a receipt. someone to stamp APPROVED on the thing so they can stop feeling weird about it.
which is honestly kind of sweet when you think about it. people are out here wanting to like art and just needing a sign from literally anyone. I should start carrying a little rubber stamp with me for these encounters. "yes, it's good, you may keep it on the wall." small fee.