The Critical Eye of PAFA 2010

The Critical Eye of PAFA 2010 | 10 canvases 12”x 6”, 2 canvases 8”x10” | Oil on Canvas | Set of 12.

They say “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” The owners of these eyes looked deeply into my artwork when I was a student at PAFA. They helped my eyes to see more clearly and my mind to comprehend more deeply the subjects of art and painting.

A good art critic can be of incalculable value to an artist. This value is multiplied synergistically when there are multiple high level critics.
 
My most valuable “take away” from my time as a student at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) were my experiences with the graduate program’s critics. These paintings are of their eyes.

In my mind, good critics can be compared to prophetic seers in their value to an artist. For example, in the Second book of Kings, chapter 6, when Elisha told his youthful servant “...Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about ...” Elisha did not show the young servant anything new, anything non existent. What he did do, was bring existing information into the conscious awareness of the youth, enlighten his mind, his understanding, bringing a visionary experience to a ready and willing mind.

As a PAFA student I would make an audio recording of each critique of my work. This allowed me to pay full attention to the critic rather than be distracted by note taking. I was able to hear and see all the critic said and did. I saw the body language, the facial expressions and intensity. I watched where he/she pointed on my paintings and was fully aware of the intent and message. I was better able to ask pertinent questions and feel what they were saying to me. Later I was able to transcribe every word they said into my Critique Log for future study and comparison with other critiques. I was further able to make MP3 audio files of the recordings and add them to my play list for future listening.

Each of the 12 critics featured in this series of paintings taught classes as well. The diversity of their lives, backgrounds, artistic mediums, methods and styles added to their rich value as critics of the highest order. To me they are the treasured jewels of PAFA.
 
Each of these are single sitting paintings (within one day), painted wet. The quickest one, Neysa Grassi, taking 6 hours to paint.

They include: Dan Miller, head of the Graduate Department, Jan C. Baltzell, Mark Blavat, Tom Csaszar, Murray Dessner, Renee P. Foulks, Sidney Goodman, Neysa Grassi, Kate M. Moran, W. Scott Noel, Kevin Richards and Bruce Samuelson.

The original paintings are in a private collection near Philadelphia, PA.
 
"You should have the Art you Love."