Belittling other artists -

Hi everyone.

I ran across something this evening that gave me pause, and, a new appreciation for each of you.

I was reading FB and ran across someone belittling another artist for their lack of talent. What I found even more surprising is that some of the responses were also of a similar vein.
To say that I was surprised and somewhat disappointed is putting it mildly.

I'm so thankful that the people on this forum haven't acted similarly. I know that my meager offerings are child's play in comparison to many of you (oh-so-talented people that I admire)... but, I've never once had someone make a negative comment.... nor have I seen any in regards to someone else's efforts.

I thank Metina for cultivating an environment (forum) where the new face painters are able to mingle with those more experienced. I know that I felt such a relief and overwhelming excitement in finding this place.

I would also like to thank the experienced FP'ers for so generously sharing of themselves.


Thank you -- all.
kat~

I know exactly what facebook post you are talking about.

I did not see the fb post, but I am in total agreement about the fact that this is an amazingly nourishing environment for creativity, and encouragement.
I feel so blessed to be able to have found this forum. I too am grateful to all who participate in running and sharing here.

Thank you for everything
Laurie

exactly what laurie said

This was the first place I stumbled onto and never felt the need to go anywhere else! I'm thilled to be here with the support and 'face painting family' aka my new/additional tribe of truly fantastic people. I've always felt encouraged to work harder, try harder and share more and it helps me to achieve!!

I am now morbidly curious.....any way to divuldge the content without naming/shaming the guilty parties/offended parties?

I agree with every word said here!

I really appreciate this community, and feel very lucky to be part of it!
bottom line, with this kind of "energy" we all win!

I agree. I've not been here long, but have seen how supportive you all are to one another and how constructive in your advice.

It's a wonderfully warm and nurturing environment on this forum and you're very selfless in giving of your experience and suggestions.

Thanks everyone.

Just an echo of what everyone has said so far. Such great talent is found here and I am grateful to be a part of it!

Thanks everyone!

smiles, seeing all the positive posts...

Love it!

I will say, I've seen/heard a lot of the negativity in other places.
I just kinda shrug.

I know someone involved in that thread, who tried to calm it down and that person has stated that they're going to avoid Facebook threads from now on, which is sad.

The whole Golden Rule thing truly does apply...if you can't say something nice, log off of Facebook.

I have also found this site to be such a warm and friendly environment for the new and experienced as well. That's exactly why I'm here! Thank you all so much for making this a wonderful place to be and learn.

Lynnie wrote:The whole Golden Rule thing truly does apply...if you can't say something nice, log off of Facebook.

I totally agree Lynnie.

[quote="Mehndi Masala"]This was the first place I stumbled onto and never felt the need to go anywhere else! I'm thilled to be here with the support and 'face painting family' aka my new/additional tribe of truly fantastic people. I've always felt encouraged to work harder, try harder and share more and it helps me to achieve!! quote]

Me too!
This place is gold! A group of people sharing a passion, and feeling so good about what you do that it is just contagious. I feel blessed to find my passion, who knew that it would be face painting!! But it is! I love the saying "Choose a job you love and then never work a day in your life" and I thank everyone in here for the wealth of information, sharing and support!!

i saw that fb thing as well. i was very disappointed in what those negative people were saying. it was mostly about a face painter calling themselves a master face painter and then showing them painting some cheek art. yes it could of been better, but i didn't think it was that bad. i was glad when i seen someone had said something about those nasty comments, but then the person who posted it in the 1st place seems to be in the middle of a lot of hot debate's in the face painting community lately. sad really cause i think his work is fantastic.

Okay... who what ??? You know I don't do FB

okay, let's back up. i do agree he shouldn't have been so strongly acusing of her. But her youtube video was BLANTANTLY bad. It was titled that she was a MASTER face painter. I'm sorry, but that was NOT master painting. I agree we shouldn't bash others, but the "post=er" of that post was just making a point. Some ppl call themselves more than they are. i don't think any us would even put that title on ourselves. I'm not defending his behavior, but let's not point so many fingers. Lots of things have been done by others (including this forum) that maybe should not have been done. No one is perfect. He's a great guy, just maybe a little disgruntled? I support both forums of FP support, and enjoy both. So, let's all be happy and support one another anyway. i love you all so much, and don't know what i'd do without your support. And if I EVER call myself a master painter, hit me.

The icon under your photo says Master. I'm JUST JOKING!! It was just too funny to pass up! I promise I don't mean ANYTHING by it!!

I like the Golden Rule thing myself! I've had to delete nonpositive people on facebook. Not painters, just other ppl I know. It's hard sometimes when your typing cuz others may not know the tone in which your trying to make your statement in and that makes a big difference sometimes.

I also wanna show my love to this community!! It is a wonderful place and SO happy that Matina has built such a positive atmosphere!! Hugs all around!!

People post on FB as if its going into space where no one can see it!
Its like bad mouthing someone whilst they're standing right there only ten times worse. One would think twice if that were the case!
How sad.

i'm truly sorry if my opinion offended you photomomma6. i was just saying what went down on FB, for those that didn't know. don't get me wrong i think he is a great guy who does some fantastic art. i just didn't understand why he felt the need to post that in the 1st place. i just hope that the person who made that video never has to see the nasty comments made about them.

FPF was the 1st place I found & I'm so glad I did. It gave me a safe environment to grow & learn. I feel very blessed to be part of this forum. I really love that there are all levels of ability and skill & that i get to see those skill levels change & grow. We have to remember, there will always be someone better than you & there will always be people that are starting out. Reach out & aspire to be the best you can be!

BTW, I'm a Genius Face Painter... it says it right under my pic.. HaaHaa

I absolutely agree that this is one of the kindest, most supportive face paint communities (THANK YOU!!!!). Sadly, what I saw on that thread it what I've seen as the prevailing attitude in many body art communities and that is so sad to me.

I also want to commend Brady for trying to be a voice of reason, even though he was turned on for it. Thank you, Brady.

That being said, I'm going to play a bit of Devil's Advocate here.

I don't agree with what was said and from a moralistic standpoint it was questionable however, he had the right to say it as protected by the First Amendment. The person in question has been putting himself in the middle of a lot of controversy, or starting it, lately and I can't help but wonder why. Still, I would fight to protect his right to do so if that is his wish. We all have the right to not read it, not respond, remove or block him, etc.

I'm also going to say that labeling oneself as a "master" of anything is...well, putting a target on oneself. While once upon a time it actually meant that you had worked your way through an apprenticeship to be granted that status by a formal guild, now those who actually hold recognized Masterships know that they are truly not masters of anything and there is so much more to learn. That's the most important understanding in being a master.
Coming from a sideshow/circus background, I know that anytime a person outside of a recognized trade program puts "Master" (as well as "World's Greatest", "World's Only", etc...) that it's a gimmick for marketing and frankly it's an advertising sham. If a person does only 10 designs/elements of their trade REALLY WELL and calls themselves a master, they truly aren't a master of their craft or art...just of those designs.

We all know that there are people out there better than us so by putting that label on ourselves we have to be prepared to be called out on.

Again, I'm not saying it was right- especially how it was done. This does lead me to ponder, if she had not labeled herself as a master- would this have happened?

If a person is labeled a Master Carpenter, I can't help but think I might expect more of them than I would a general contractor. Perhaps not as I've never been faced with the situation but now I wonder. Hmmmm...

Hopefully this will be a lesson in humility to those involved.

I get very irritated when people get so caught up in what the "others" are doing. That is so much wasted energy! But I'm passive aggressive. i didn't see the post but I can imagine what was said. I've been contacted by other painters questioned my insurance, my business license, my rates, why do I volunteer for events........ I'm always aware what my competition is doing but that is as far as it goes. Its not my concern or place to worry about their business nor their skill. I think if you are going to critique or bad mouth someone it should ONLY be done in preservation of the industry/art form! I always tell my babies, they talked about Jesus so what makes you think they won't talk about you!!!

I'm not the best nor the worst painter I'm just ME! And I'm cool with that!

By the way the forum is AWESOME!!! I've visted other forums and definitiely got the negative vibe and I really don't need that crap in my life.

Nope, not offended at all. it takes a LOT to offend me, and BTW, I'm not the one who put MASTER under my name!! That's SOOOO funny!!!
Yeah, I didn't even see that! LOL I also went to the page he posted that on, and i believe he deleted it. I couldn't see it on there anymore. He's a decent guy, and I'm sure he didnt' mean anything by it. Good one Cabby!

After reading this post (and being very new to this site) im so pleased this site has such beautiful genuine people, I joined this forum for Inspiration, tips and ideas Ive only been face painting 2 years and still developing my talents and Ive made alot of mistakes but so happy that there is a group of people that appreciate that I dont think its fair to compare or belittle anyones efforts xxx

I didn't see the fb posts but I can understand how opinions can cause such responses. We all have opinions, knowing when and how to express them is what is important. This forum has been very supportive and kind when offering constructive criticism.

On a side note, I did a little festival last weekend. We were told no other face painters would be there. Two booths down there was a huge sign that said "Face and Body Art". I went over to introduce myself and the people there said they would not speak to me because I was "the other face painter". I walked away. My partner had the organizer handle the situation. I was sad that that couple had filled out papers to sell products at that festival then added the face/body art without the organizers permission. I'm always happy to network with other face painters but I never had such an experience. They continued to make comments and give us dirty looks after the organizer shut their face painting down. It's so unfortunate when people act badly, intentionally break rules and can't show respect for one another.