Pretenders

So... let's say you're a painter.. You have basic technique, but haven't mastered it and haven't continued to study. You slap some paint on a canvas and take your painting to the gallery. You hang your painting on the wall and then stand next to it and wait for people to view it. The crowd arrives and people begin to walk through the gallery. Friends arrive and they see you and tell you how great your work is. Others arrive and they take in the work. While they're taking it in, you jump in with "I painted this!" They smile, raise their eyebrows as they nod as answer with "It's nice, I like it." You smile and they move on to the next piece of work. Others stop and you do the same, they answer similarly. After many people telling you they like it, you begin to feel more confident with your work. More people view the work and you are feeling good about it. They stop to look and you say "Isn't it great?", gleaming with pride. They nod, smile and move along.

A woman arrives and looks at your painting. You chime in with "Isn't it great?" She is taken by surprise and says, "I don't know, I'm trying to look at it." You respond with, "I painted it!" She says, "congratulations" and returns to view your work. You jump in with the most dangerous of questions, "do you like it?" She shrugs, purses her lips and says... "not particularly." She looks you in the eye and says "there are great instincts here, but you're still learning. I'm excited to see your work as you continue to grow as an artist." You shrink back as if slapped and can only muster, "oh'" She smiles and moves along to take in other works.

Is she a bitch? Is she jaded? Jealous? Honest? Unafraid to say what she feels in spite of being put on the spot?

What about you? Are you an artist? Are you as good at what you do as you think? Do you want to challenge yourself to grow? Do you want the praise? Do you just need the attention?

Tell me.