sketchbook & surviving the critique

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolynpenn/

even though i created my flickr for college applications, i continue to post my new sketchbook work. here are the two most recent uploads:

in the past, i've been less than enthusiastic during critiques. i find it hard to sit and listen to somebody break down my work. i want feedback, but i find myself offended when my artistic faults are pointed out. this week's reading had one particular quote that displayed the professor and student's "roles" in a critique setting. i am anticipating many harsh critiques at parsons, therefore this quote is relevant.

"The professor's job is to give useful criticism, to deconstruct the object and evaluate its parts with an eye to offering the student practical solutions to perceived deficiencies. The student's role is to distance himself enough from the work so that he can constructively participate in its demise."

i know that i will have to toughen my skin for art school and prepare to be broken down with every assignment. this packet reminds me of a teacher i had last summer at pratt. she taught my class industrial design for two weeks. one time, she assigned us to draw an inspiration board with a word that describes us. i chose imaginative and drew one of my elaborate, intricate, crazy detailed doodles. i was proud of the outcome. during a classroom critique, my teacher took one brief glance at my drawing. instead of complimenting my effort, she simply said, "hm, you should've used the word 'exuberant'" and then moved on to the next student. she is fulfilling her role as a professor while i need to take her opinion into account as the student. i never revised that particular piece because it was just a homework assignment, but i will always remember that one teacher. everybody respected her so much because she told the truth and nothing but the truth. i think that our class should split up into smaller groups for a critique. it's easier to have a discussion based critique when the groups aren't overwhelming. i can't wait to study at parsons. i'm going to new york for a visiting day this weekend! i will take lots of pictures and try to work from those.