Who do i have to burn to a crisp now? Your art is frack'n awesome! don't let no bozo tell you otherwise.

~hugs~

<_< I see your self doubt, and raise you a bowl of Awesome with a side of [insert your favorite] food! ^_^

Thank you for the kind words. I really dont like being so negative. When I feel like I'm really achieving something those feelings subside. But often even though art isn't nor should it be a contest of skill... there will always be someone better and I understand that... seeing what others do leaves me feeling so.. I dunno... I get that "why bother" feeling. Especially when I see people draw things that I wanted to try my hand at.

*hugs*
Thank you ... really also just not feeling like I'm in a vacuum here makes things a little happier.

I agree with Leasoncre! (minus the burning to the crisp part... I lack the fire thing)

*smiles and gives a bit of a chuckle*
I've never settled on for sure if I can breath fire or not .... the moment I can come up with a bilogical explanation for how that all works the question might be settled.

Thank you for the kind thoughts and saying hi.

Yeah, it is tough when you bump up against people with incredible natural talent and/or hard earned skill. But art is a statement. Talent and skill let you make your statement more clear or more compelling. But it is the statement that really matters. (Sigh - I know that sounds trite, but it is true)

Look at your art collection on your computer and pick out several pieces by other people executed with low talent or skill. Why did you keep them? Maybe for the concept? Maybe for sentimental reasons? Maybe because the style was cool even though the execution was off. Maybe because you just love the subject THAT much... These are all part of the statement of that piece of art.

Even if dozens of other people have made similar statements, your statement will have your style (which I rather like) and will include your idea/twist/tweak/passion/reference/wink/joke/part of you.

Skill and talent are so varied that they should be measured on a logarithmic scale.
And someone cursed with low skill and talent has a handicap in what statements they can make and how well.
But you're no where near such a low threshold. Even on a log scale.

Why bother? Because we like your statements. And you'll like making them if you can get past the self criticism that haunts most artists.

I realize what you are saying is true. Often logic is somewhat disjoint from emotion in this matter.... I need to have an emotional level of strength and motivation to cary out doing... well ... anything. Logically I recognise a few truths... For one.. my art _is_ improving ever since I started doing more of it... The fact is it would improve much faster if I did even more. It takes practice and a mind for aproaching it as a subject of "study" ... but as you pointed out thats seperate from what art provides for personal satisfaction and as a past time. I dont make any money at art.. though I wish I could.
I realize we have something to add for 'uniquness' ...I suppose its reason enough.. in some respects... or at least should be. ... just feels like I cant 'produce' like "everyone else"

I appreciate your kind words and support.. I admit I sometimes need to feel like I'm not in a vacuum... *hugs*

I know what you mean about logic being disjoint from emotion. Sometimes emotion just is.

For me, when emotion will not respond to logic, I find creative ways to lie to myself (temporarily). Denial is a powerful tool at times.

It's also handy to have friends who remind you of just how good your stuff really is.... and to keep you out of that vacuum you mentioned... *hugs*

"Walking away"... can you really do that? Walk away - FROM YOURSELF?

As I guess, if you're anything like me, it's not the others criticizing your work quantity and quality, but mostly you yourself - comparing the very best of Twitter, FA, etc of all people to all of just one person, namely yourself. Can't win here.

I experienced this quite often myself - and I'm not even able to draw at all! But it hurts most on areas where I wish I would be able to do things, but then fail. Especially if others come along (Xan is one of those...), and single-handedly, in no time, as a byproduct just do something which is better than what you've been trying to do for a much longer time. I have this regularly, it's a depression trigger.

I don't have an answer here, not for myself at least. Does walking away work? How did it turn out for you?