It seems that almost everyday I get this useless feeling with my art work, I'm always telling myself I can do better, and so does my boyfriend...
My parents and family has been telling me my art work is crappy, and there's so many people criticizing me... it's all so hard to take it all at once...
I feel really bad and get upset when my boyfriend buys other people's drawings... yet, I already know I should be happy for him... and the other artists... it just says to me I need to improve more... but the more I think about it, the more I just feel so useless...
Yeah, artists are suppose to be able to take criticisms and try to improve, I have been doing that...
Well... some advice would be helpful, and maybe if you guys would picture yourself in my situation, how would you react, and feel?
Thank you for your time... :)

Examples of my art:
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/n..._artL/fdsf.jpg
headdd.jpg picture by luv_artL - Photobucket
ddd-1.jpg picture by luv_artL - Photobucket
DSC00798.jpg picture by luv_artL - Photobucket

Ignore them and keep doing it. Everybody likes to be a critic and many don't even appreciate a lot of art. Your style is more anime while they may be comparing it to Rembrant. Tell them to give you constructive criticism or else don't bother commenting. Crappy isn't constructive criticism.
Constructive criticism is like composition, contrast, color, etc...

*Picture area: This is the surface within the four borders of your picture that is used for the drawing or painting. The picture area will help you determine placement of objects, and how big they should be.

*Depth: This is the illusion of distance or a third dimension. Depth creates a three dimensional effect, making objects feel closer, or further away. The finished result will not appear flat on the paper or canvas if depth is created. Not all art styles use depth.

*Line: The line or direction the viewer's eye takes to go through the picture. The objects or forms within the picture should lead the eye to the focal point. When art is viewed, most people will begin in the bottom left corner, and continue through the picture to the right. A good composition will not allow the viewer to keep going right, all the way off the page. The viewer should be lead back into the painting in a flowing motion.

*Value: This is the lightness, or darkness of an area, or a shape within the picture. It is also used to create the over-all feel of the picture.

Maybe take some art classes or look up art stuff on the internet.
Here are some sites you might like

deviantART: where ART meets application!

Shadowness - Portfolio Community

Watercolor Artists - Canadian Art

Keep doing your art and do not get discouraged.

I think I would take a break from my art, take a mental deep breath,and some time away from it. Give yourself a chance to sort out your feelings yourself,and not what others think you are supposed to feel. Sit back,relax,and let ideas come naturally.

yes, I do have dA, but not too sure about those other sites, never heard of them, and I did check them out, =o
art school... my parents r against me becoming an artist, they say it's a "waste of time" and "child's play" they perfer me to be a registered nurse, or become something in the medical career so it'll just give my family a "better reputation". It's extremity frustrating also when my boyfriend buys other people's art, it makes me feel as if he perfers theirs, because mines aren't good enough... I know not to get discourage... but I'm starting to reach my limit... >__<

I guess I should also, since I've just been pushing myself too much and thinking about negative things. Ideas do come to me, but I can't help it but change my mind quickly.
X____X

What is your family and boyfriend talking about? Your drawings are adorable and would make wonderful storybook illustrations. I adore the one of the girl in the tree.

My parents say my drawings aren't worth anything, and as soon as next year I got to decide what I'm going to work on when I grow older... and my boyfriend, he supports me encouraging me, I'm glad he does... and I have told him how I felt about him buying other art, he understands, and says he won't do it anymore, now I just feel guilty about it, but I know I'll have to move on with it.

I love it! Really cool and colorful and wonderful expression!
Really cute .made me smile.
I am an artist on Renderosity.com.
You should post your work there.Its a great artist community.
I've been there since 2000,its just a great bunch of people sharing art.
Go there.. sign up!

Hi. I understand exactly what you are going through.

The first thing I would like to say is not to listen to your parents when they tell you who to be or what to become. You should be the person that you truly are and do the things you truly love to do.

Art is not child's play. Art is everywhere in this miraculous world and if you can make people happy with your work then that's every bit as meaningful as the next profession.

I am 20 years old and have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I have just always loved the idea of creating something from nothing and then letting other people see it. Throughout middle school and high school I got my fair share of criticism (as I am sure any artist does) and I let it deter me to the point where I felt like I was "good" but not "good enough". I also let people convice me that art was not as important as other more structured classes like History, Physics, Algebra, etc. Everyone told me "you don't make much money as an artist" and things like that. It took me a while of fooling around and assimilating to discover that I was trying to become something else just because my immediate social environment was pressuring me to do so. That in itself was an unacceptable crime.

Also, you have to understand that society in general is unfortunately quite cruel. Although there are good people here and there, most people wouldn't mind seeing you fail. In short, people will make fun of your artwork just because it makes them feel better about themselves and their "important" pursuits. I know that's sad, but it is true.

As for your artwork, it certainly isn't "bad" or "crappy". I have never cared for anime type work but I can appreciate the skill involved in your pieces. I can clearly see that you have practiced. I think you could make some beautiful cartoon-like animals. Try drawing a teddy bear with big eyes and make it as cute as possible. I am pretty sure it will be amazing. Also, for the butterfly drawing, don't be afraid to use a background to help the composition and make the piece less doodle-like. I think it is a little too flat as well. Your other pictures are so interactive and engaging and I feel that is one of your strong points as an artist. In conclusion, I would explore animals if I were you and I would keep them as warm, fuzzy, welcoming, and kind as you can.

Good luck! Don't let people push you around.

How old are you?

Are you in art school, or have you been doing this on your own? Have you considered a career in animation?

I liked your work. It's fanciful. It shows imagination, sweetness and playfulness.

What have they said to you? You sound awfully discouraged, and you shouldn't be.

Your boyfriend and family aren't doing you any favors by putting you down. The only thing I can even imagine might be happening is if you're determined not to do anything but this while you need to support yourself, and they're afraid for your benefit financially. It's the classic conundrum of most artists. Could that possibly be part of this? If not, you need to put a filter on the hurtful remarks. Your work is about you, not them.

If you keep telling them to stop putting you down and they don't stop, I hate to say it, but they might learn by getting a taste of their own medicine. That's not something I would usually say, but there's a time and a place for it, lol.

Forge ahead! Believe in yourself! No one else can do that part for you, no matter how supportive or unsupportive they are.

I'm in High School.
Never had art class before since my parents won't approve. I have considered a career in animation, as long as I get to draw, express myself with art, or anything with art, I'll try my best.
My parents aren't so supportive at all. Except surprisingly my dad finally gave in and bought me a drawing tablet. To tell the truth, I'm still having trouble deciding if I would be in a job for money or just simply enjoy it, both would be nice...
I have thought about telling my parents to stop saying such negative things to what I enjoy doing, but that leads to more lecturing... and I've found out it's a better idea to keep my mouth shut if I want them to stop lecturing me soon x.x
thank you for your time, and great advice (:

You have loads of talent and real potential to make a career using your artistic abilities. Not sure what your parents are expecting from you or why, but they're plain wrong in saying you don't have the talent. So why are they discouraging you, are they saying? You may well need to have enough confidence in yourself to create your own future based on what you love doing and are obviously good at, without your parents support. Do you think you can do that?

Not sure what to say about your boyfriend being told he can only buy your art... I guess that's between you two, and whatever you agree is a fair relationship. There isn't enough *ching*ching* in my boyfriend's bank account for him to afford any of my drawings lol ;) :)

Let me promise you this. I know exactly what kind of drama certain kinds of parents create when they know nothing about the world of art or design.

I am an artist now, but I studied political theory and government as an undergrad. I'm grateful for what I learned in college, but it has basically nothing to do with my career as an adult. During my junior year in college, I studied classical realist portrait and figure sculpture for bronze in France. After I graduated from school, I was just 20 years old, so I decided to go to art school in Boston instead of jumping right into a career or a Master's program. Little did I know that I would fall so deeply in love with the art world that I never wanted to leave it. I have since spent years working and studying as an artist in Italy, and all of this has driven my parents crazy!

When I told my dad I wanted to take a year off after college, he recommended I peruse an MBA in that time. Between the two of them, they have earned 6 master's degrees and two doctorates; degrees are almost everything to them. I have had to pave a very hard path going down this road, especially because they have not been supportive of my choices in following such an unpredictable career path, but I've made it work. I have worked within the art world on the business side of things, and as an artist in the fashion industry. I have never given up my passions, but I have had to make them work in my schedule. I didn't want that, but it has worked. I believe that if you were born to do something, you will find yourself doing it no matter what. That doesn't mean you don't need to make compromises in the meantime.

When I was 26 (I'm 29 now), together with my long-term partner (he's a designer and an artisan), we opened a high end design company in handmade wrought iron furniture, lighting and décor. We are successful, and I am happy, but my parents still aren't as supportive as I'd like them to be. This is it: I'm not going to change mine, and you're not likely to change yours one bit.

Start thinking in terms that apply your birth as an artist to things that will allow your creativity and hand to flourish, but that will always give you security in the long run. When I went to school, because of where I come from, I never even thought to consider a creative career path. Boy, if I knew then what I know now! Here are some of the things I'd be more than happy to do for the rest of my life (that are also more likely to make parents happy than would the title "puppeteer"):

-architecture
-landscape architecture
-interior design
-fashion design
-industrial design
-commercial art

My younger sister's passion is in jewelry design. She became a gemologist specializing in diamonds and pearls, and now she works for one of the most famous jewelry companies in the world. If you love making art, you'll probably love design. You might like art history. You might like restoration. If you go into business, apply it to go into an art gallery. You can make a good living as a graphic artist.

You need to make the box work for you. Your parents can't live your life. Just make sure you're making decisions that will truly benefit you for the rest of your adult life. I wish you well!

I think my parents are saying such things is because I have some female relatives that are also nurses, and they get a good amount of money, so my parents wants me to become one also, yet they're blind to see that I'm no where near wanting to be a nurse, my drawings and sketches all around my room gives them a HUGE hint what I want to be as I get older.
thank u for your time ^-^

Wow, that's awesome. =]
my boyfriend says I'm good at fashion designing also, so do many others, but I'm not too sure about it myself... and also my cousin who wanted to become a fashion designer all her life... suddenly changed her mind because it was too expensive to get into a art school in the US. So she picked business instead. I can ask her, but she always seems frustrated and busy, plus I think she'll get suspicious about me and end up asking me all sorts of different questions. @_@
thank u for your time, your comment on your success gave me more hope on my dream =]

That's an awesome career, Linnealand. My daughter has exquisite hands, inherited from her father's long-limbed side of the family, and has been making her own jewellery for years (albeit, 12 year old taste in jewelllry... and full of surprises). I've had this feeling for a while she would make a brilliant pearl and diamond jewellery designer, so would be interested in knowing how your sister got into jewellery design. What is the name of the designer your sister works for? I've seen a booklet of pearl and diamond jewellery that was out of this world... started with a 'p'... from memory...

She works for Tiffany & Co.. She's 25, and she has already worked with them in the states and in Paris.

She did most of her undergrad studying fine art in France. She moved back to the states and studied jewelry design at FIT. Then, because she was driving my parents crazy with her extra studies, she went to the GIA to get certified as a gemologist (where she specialized in those two pretty jewels.) she's still young, so she still has a lot to accomplish in her life, but she chose her path, and she's been making it work. She loves her job, too.

Some great schools that come to mind: FIT, PARSON'S, SMFA Boston, RISD

If you have some good schools in your area, you might be able to find some great classes to home in on her gifts. I think it's wonderful that her natural abilities excite you.

TL, you go to school to learn! All of it's going to be hard work, but it's going to be the most important investment you make into your adulthood. You've got a wealth of smart choices to choose from. Great compromises, too. Plus, any of those fields will only improve your skills. You can't lose that way.