Critique Arena Challenge Flashback!

kirsten-mcg

@Jeremy-Ross Thanks for compiling these! You're right, these are great prompts for when you're stuck and need some inspiration. That was one of my favorite things about Critique Arena, trying to come up with the best concept possible for the prompt. It really pushed me creatively. Unfortunately, I found Critique Arena late. My first one was #36 THE WORLD'S COOLEST TREEHOUSE. Good times! This one actually made it into the top 16, and it was such a huge emotional lift for me. I had spent the 2 years before finding SVS and Critique Arena questioning myself as an artist and feeling so lonely and lacking direction. I was coming back to art after years away from it, and while I really wanted (and needed!) to turn this into a career, I was questing myself at every twist and turn of the road. Making it into the top 16 on my first try was like a little nudge from God (or the Universe if you prefer) saying "look, you can do this." I still have days when I feel like I just can't do this, when I struggle with serious imposter syndrome, but I'm so grateful that I have these memories to look back on and tell myself, "look, you did it here. This is possible!"

I entered every month after I discovered Critique arena. This is my last Critique Arena entry for #42 THIS WAS THE END OF THE ROAD FOR KAMARI...OR WAS IT A NEW BEGINNIN? This one actually won! I was on a high for days!

kirsten-mcg

@AngelinaKizz I think this is definitely worth a rework! It's already amazing! I love the energy and story.

kirsten-mcg

@Jeremy-Ross And this made me laugh! So clever! And love the colors you chose.

Jeremy Ross

Hi @kirsten-mcg , I remember both and love them! Keep going; never quit!

von_Nimmermehr

My first entry was DESIGN AN INKTOBER CHARACTER and i actually made top 16 first time entering. i was so proud.

kirsten-mcg

@von_Nimmermehr I can see why. This guy is awesome!

Jeremy Ross

Ah, yes @von_Nimmermehr! I do recall this character; well done I must say!

von_Nimmermehr

@Jeremy-Ross thank you! it was the first time after art school i made a real character sheet again and it felt so good! But i really had no chance against the Pumkin character he was too cool!

@kirsten-mcg Thank you

ArtistErin

@kirsten-mcg Oh I remember your treehouse!! Soooo good. I am going through that scary feeling about my art at the moment myself. Need a boost. In fact, isn't SVS offering the $600 critique from their collection of working pros, like tomorrow? I want to reserve a spot! Hope they're is a link somewhere. I feel like I am hitting a wall with my work and wondering what I need to do from here.

kirsten-mcg

@ArtistErin I'm sure a portfolio critique would be be amazing and super helpful! Good luck, and I hope you are able to get past your wall. I'm currently taking Children's Book Pro, so can't afford a critique right now. I'm hoping they keep doing it, because I would love to get a critique in a few more months after my art bank account recovers lol!

ArtistErin

@kirsten-mcg Yep I bounced between Children's Book Pro and the Critique, and timing vs. money won out with the critique. As soon as I can, I'll be taking Children's Book Pro. I'm still making my way through the SVS classes. I'd love to find a way to work from home so I can control my time/schedule, which I am updating my LinkedIn profile, so I can be able to focus more on art.