The Art of Critique by Vidalicia

The Art of Critique by Vidalicia - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

Since my childhood, art has had a remarkable effect on my life. I’ve always loved to draw and make art, but it wasn’t until I started viewing it seriously that a whole new world seemed to open up to me. Now, having recently graduated high school, I’m mere weeks away from crossing the threshold into the next stage of my journey; art college. I’ve certainly come a long way since the first “I wanna be an artist” thought crossed my mind, but there’s only so much I can learn on my own. Preparing myself for art school has led me to the realization that I have so much more left to learn, and so much further to go. Some would think that to be discouraging, but I find it to be incredibly exciting. I don’t have much experience in the study of art, its teachings, and its masters, which often feels intimidating. There are other artists who know such things by heart and speak them fluently, making me feel as if I’ve fallen behind. But as they say, everyone has to start somewhere–and I’m nothing if not persistent in my learning.
My goal is to fully utilize the critique of others in order to improve, mature, and become more versatile as an artist. There’s only so much I can achieve alone, and being able to actively listen to the feedback of my peers will allow me to learn new ways of collaboration, strategizing, and problem solving. Learning to effectively use the critique I receive is a valuable skill that I can use throughout my journey as an artist, not just in college. By allowing my process to be informed by the ideas of others, I’ll be able to try new techniques and concepts that I might never have tried on my own had I not opened myself up to critique. In conclusion, learning how to best utilize critique will help me to hone my craft and grow as an artist. I’ll be well equipped to work and collaborate in an artistic space, which will help me to move forward in my journey during, and after college.