Elise Winters’s Critique Guidelines

Polymer Clay Quest  with Elise Winters
A forum for polymer artists to discuss, share and explore issues  of aesthetics and personal expression in the context of their own work .  Our emphasis will be on the search for inner voice and individual problem-solving.  The instructor will act as a resource to help participants overcome aesthetic and technical roadblocks.

FORMAT FOR DISCUSSION:
Each person will have an opportunity to present finished work, work-in-progress, experimental samples and/or sketches to the class for discussion.

Viewer Perceptions: (at the artist’s request)
The viewers will begin by describing the physical properties of the work –  in terms that relate to size and scale, color, shape, pattern and  texture, materials, and others listed below.

The viewers will describe their impression of the intent – in terms that relate to content, realistic or abstract imagery, symbolism, fantasy, resonance with nature or the senses, or functionality.

Artist’s Statements:
The artist will describe the intent, how the ideas evolved .

The artist will describe the working process, how the form was developed.

The artist may request help with specific unresolved issues.

The artist may ask the group to discuss how well the various elements contribute to/detract from the overall concept and intent.

Group Response:
The group will address the artist’s questions.

The group may brainstorm ideas to help resolve stated problems or suggestions for a next step, consistent with the artist’s stated goals.

As you enter, please leave JUDGMENT at the door.  LIKE or DISLIKE are irrelevant as we search for a clearer view of what our work communicates and how we can develop our art further along our chosen path.  At issue are 3 questions:   What is the artist’s INTENT?  In what ways does the work fulfill the artist’s INTENT?  What suggestions can be made to strengthen the INTENT of the work?

Useful Vocabulary for Discussion:
Unity, Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Movement, Repetition, Dominance, Pattern, Scale, Color, Contrast, Harmony, Emphasis, Value, Saturation, Transparent, Opaque, Texture, Imagery, Illusion, Allusion, References, Resonance, Sensuality, Weight, Complexity, Durability, Point of view, Construction, Choice of materials, Finishing, Wear-ability, Functionality, Presentation, Context