How Not to Find Compliments Offensive

One of the compliments that I have gotten the most is, "Wow you're so talented! But I could never have your art in my house."

It is something that has bothered me for years. While it is nice to hear that some people find me artistically skilled, the second half of their compliment tarnishes the whole thing. Why do some feel the need to immediately state their distaste? Especially when I am not trying to peddle or force others to like my art?

I brought this up with my therapist today and he gave me a lot of advice in how not to take those types of comments so seriously. He reminded me that people are not saying these types of things to get under my skin or diss my art, and that they are probably just relating their own preferences to me. Yet, it still feels bothersome. Perhaps in the future it will not.

I understand that everyone has their own preferences. Whether it comes to food, partners, art and more, everyone knows what they like and dislike. I certainly do not like all art either. A couple of years ago I submitted a piece to a contest. The subject was "abstract art" and if you know me, I struggle to find enjoyment in abstract art. I submitted a piece called "Evening in Rome" as a bit of a joke but much to my surprise it was accepted into the online exhibition. I was shocked. I felt excited because my piece had been accepted but also irritated that it was one of the worst paintings I've ever made. It was a heartless, soulless, horrible painting that I didn't take seriously at all. So, what did I do next?

I added inky cockroaches fucking on top of it of course!

Seriously! I channeled my artistic rage into putting roach graffiti on my own painting. Goodbye meaningless smudges! Hello pest fest!

I know that most modern or abstract art pieces have a wealth of symbolism or meaning in them assigned by the artist, but that does not work for me. As annoying as it sounds, my art reflects me. I am an odd individual who requires patience to understand. My art reflects this. Most of my work has a story to go along with it or parts which may be revealed through little details I include. Some, like this one, acquire meaning after I wreck them. "Evening in Rome" had little significance to me as an artist, but "Lustful Lunacy in Rome" portrays the fiery passion that I instill into my art.

There are multiple lessons to be learned here. Firstly, I need to accept people's preferences and find my target audience. Secondly, people should be more careful about what they say to others about their personal creations. Thirdly, boinking bugs really do add a special zing to that terrible painting of mine.

All this being said, thank you kindly for your compliments and statements. I greatly appreciate the constructive criticism and the continued support.

~Nikolai Sergei Razumov